Telehealth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Human-Centered Design Approach to Bridging Gaps in Healthcare and Wellbeing Across the African Diaspora

Abstract

The advances in telehealth have allowed us to reimagine access to healthcare. Doctors and health providers can reach more patients in more flexible ways at reduced costs. The rise of telehealth has also presented more opportunities to design community-focused solutions and interventions that address the needs of communities in sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora. A few of the needs identified are access to affordable care providers in rural/remote areas, healthcare management and tracking of individual health outcomes over time, healthcare management for family members in different areas of the world, monetary support for medical procedures for family, friends, or community members.

In partnership with DoctorNow, a telehealth startup based in Ghana, our aim for this analysis is to understand how we can use human-centered design to educate and empower individuals and families in Africa on their healthcare and management options using telehealth as well as better connect and support the wellbeing of families and communities across the African diaspora.