Description of Session
A key challenge in using internet protocol (IP) messaging (e.g. WhatsApp) for health is that the speed of technology change can make it difficult for implementing agencies and governments to keep up. Options for interventions are also becoming available more quickly than research can inform. This session shares lessons and applied practice from the IP messaging for global health (IP4GH) community of practice with the GDHF community to support more use and quicker adoption of IP messaging in digital health. Specifically, the session will include a rapid introduction to the: (1) software tools needed to actually implement groups (2) best practice strategies for recruiting and scaling virtual peer groups (3) considerations when facilitating virtual peer groups and (4) data extraction and analysis for monitoring and research. We will enable participants to have a genuine user-experience by recruiting and enrolling them in an actual WhatsApp throughout the session so that they can use the channel to support each other in their learning.
