Table 1 Summary of RAHAH devices and technologies

1. Patient Portal and Physician Portal

It is a secure website for both the patient’s and healthcare providers.

The patient portal dashboard consists of a Profile (which contains the patients basic and emergency information), Observations, Health Records, Lab and Reports, Educational feature, Telemedicine, Webinar, Messages and Chat.

The doctor portal dashboard consists of the patient profile, observation (reading from patient devices), patient health record, doctor’s notes (for typing notes for the patient and viewing notes of other doctors), lab reports, heart sound and lung sound, patients vital signs statistical analysis, e-Response Center, Messaging, Appointment schedules, Telemedicine and Webinar.

It allows both the patient and healthcare provider to create and monitor personal health records, view readings from the devices, and communicate with each other.

2. Remote Devices (glucometer, blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, thermometer and body analysis scale).

For pregnancy monitoring, fetal beat and kick track are used.

Based on the clinical condition of the patients, these devices are recommended by physicians and consultants for regular remote monitoring of the patients. Patients use the devices and data generated from them will be transferred via Bluetooth to their mobile Apps and into the RAHAH portal.

These devices are used to remotely monitor health/disease conditions, and vital signs of the patients.

3. Mobile Applications (mApps)

The RAH@H mApps are vendor agnostic (iOS/android) in nature and hence work on any brand of smart phone. Moreover, RAH@H has separate mApps for patients and healthcare providers, thus there are four different types of mobile apps present in RAHAH.

RAHAH app is used to access the individual patient portal and transfer readings, which are crucial for monitoring.

4. Patient Health Records (PHR)

An electronic health record in which the profiles for each patient are created and their medical information are recorded (e.g., lab tests, X-rays).

PHR centralizes all (past and present) health-related information of the patient.

(e.g., medications, allergies, health conditions, surgical procedures, family history etc.) of the patient.

5. Telemedicine

Both the patients and providers can arrange an audio-visual teleconsultation either through appointments or directly. Data generated from remote monitoring medical devices which are recorded in the PHR helps to better understand the patient’s condition and makes the consultation more effective. Moreover, past online consultations can be reviewed, health reports can be made visible and anatomical pictures can be shown for further clarification.

Access to remote specialist care, consultation and follow-up can be arranged immediately.

6. E- Response Center (ERC)

The ERC receives alerts and notifications for any alarming (danger) signs so that immediate actions can be taken. It is controlled by an appropriately trained staff in respective departments.

Detection of any alarming signs can be immediately discussed with the patient/provider though teleconsultation, chat or messaging.

7. Webinars

The patients receive the links for webinars that are conducted by specialists, health educators, doctors, nutritionists and nurses in the respective area. Patients can join live as well as view archived broadcasts. The webinar presenter can invite a co-presenter, share PowerPoints, videos and screen. Surveys can be conducted for patients to participate.

Patients are given educational information and can ask experts audio, video or text based queries regarding disease, symptoms, medication use, prevention, wellness, and nutrition.

8. User Generated Content

The patients and health care providers can read/watch/share articles, blogs and videos according to their specific health condition for latest updates and news.

Patients get informed and educated to better understand the disease and symptoms, and self-care approaches.

9. Encyclopedia

Patients can access a wide range of information about their medical condition such as diagnostic tests, symptoms, injuries, surgery and wellness through interactive tutorials and illustrations via health encyclopedia. Patients can also take part in short quizzes after each tutorial and can download all the information in pdf format.

Patients can get access to relevant, reliable, and easy to understand health information. It is also available in Arabic.

10. Online peer groups

The patients can interact and share learning materials with other patients.

Patients can access the information and support in the group.