Developing a mobile data collection tool to manage a dispersed mental health workforce

Area of Science:

• Rural Health
• Mental Health Services
• Health Informatics

Background:

• The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) in New South Wales, Australia, connects individuals in rural and remote areas with mental health support.
• A 2016 program reorientation necessitated improved data collection for management, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure program fidelity and performance assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address limitations in existing data collection methods that were inconvenient and unsuited to the itinerant role of RAMHP coordinators.
• To develop and implement a mobile data collection tool (app) to enhance the efficiency and reliability of RAMHP activity data.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of existing data collection methods was conducted.
• A mobile application was designed and implemented following a structured process to optimize data collection.
• Coordinator feedback and usability were central to the design and implementation.

Main Results:

• The mobile app was successfully adopted by RAMHP coordinators.
• Data collection capability significantly improved, with increased data capture and decreased errors.
• Collected data became more reliable, specific, timely, and informative.

Conclusions:

• Investment in planning and developing the mobile app was highly beneficial.
• The new data collection tool supports strategic and operational planning and demonstrates program performance effectively.
• Enhanced data quality facilitates better management of rural mental health services.