Leveraging USSD for healthcare can unlock more healthcare reach than we can imagine.
In this era where digital technology transforms healthcare, unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) has become an important tool for delivering healthcare, especially in areas with limited or no internet connectivity. USSD is a system in which GSM-based cellular phones communicate with the network operator’s device. It offers an easy, cheap, and globally accessible means of connecting with users.
This article covers the opportunities and challenges of using USSD for healthcare delivery.
Overview of USSD technology
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) serves as a communication protocol for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) that enables users to interact directly with an application’s network. It is used for sending short text messages. USSD can be called “quick codes” or “feature codes.” A command is sent from the user’s phone, and a reply is sent back in time by an application hosted by a mobile network.
The USSD, commonly known as quick codes or feature codes, has been used to access fast and simple mobile functionalities since the introduction of Global System for Mobile (GSM) phones. Cellphone recharges and airtime balance checks are the most basic and popular uses of the USSD.
In contrast to the GSM phone’s extra function, the Short Message Service (SMS), USSD messages are composed of one to eighty-two alphanumeric characters. When a session is being processed, USSD messages are instantaneous. When used appropriately, their interactive features and capabilities can be helpful for a range of menu-based applications.
Unlike SMS, which operates a store-and-forward strategy, USSD uses a session-based text messaging service, allowing exchanges to occur. Furthermore, USSD functions differently from mobile apps because it does not require installation on the phone and can function even without internet connectivity.
USSD can be very effective in providing healthcare services because:
- It provides access to a large range of populations, and this is due to its availability in areas with little or no internet connectivity. This makes it easy for people living in remote communities to access healthcare.
- It can be used on any device, even feature phones. It works on all GSM-standard mobile phones. This makes healthcare services available to most people in a population because access to GSM has been increasing over the years.
- USSD is cost-effective. USSD does not require airtime or data, making healthcare services accessible to low-income earners.
- USSD works across mobile networks. It only needs a connection to a GSM network to work, as it is not mobile or SIM-based.
- USSD services are user-friendly and can be used by anyone. This will enable healthcare services to have a wide reach.
- USSD services are highly interactive. Responses are usually fast, allowing two-way communication and interaction, seven times faster than SMS. This is highly beneficial for healthcare access, especially in emergencies.
- USSD services can also aid in reducing face-to-face interaction between healthcare providers and patients. It can also be used during pandemics and disease outbreaks to stop the spread of diseases because it will help reduce physical contact between individuals.
Opportunities for USSD in healthcare
Digital technology has been playing an essential role in healthcare. Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology is useful for generating, storing, accessing, and sharing personal health data. It can also be used to access healthcare services. There are opportunities available for using USSD for healthcare, among which are:
- It can be used to schedule appointments. Patients can use USSD services to make appointments with healthcare facilities. This can help cut down on wait times in health facilities.
- USSD can be utilized to make healthcare accessible for individuals with disabilities, as well as for other groups like the elderly or those living in remote areas.
- During pandemics and disease outbreaks, USSD services can be leveraged by eliminating face-to-face consultations between patients and health personnel. This can help curb the spread of diseases.
- Integrating USSD services into healthcare makes it convenient for patients to access basic health services from the comfort of their homes. This is helpful for people with busy schedules or those in remote areas where health facilities are out of reach.
- Access to healthcare can be made more affordable using USSD technology. Some of the expenses related to patients’ visits to the medical facilities may be eliminated. It can also help by reducing the cost of transportation to health facilities, especially for individuals far from health facilities.
- It has been ascertained that USSD service works in areas with little or no internet connectivity; leveraging this can make healthcare services accessible in remote areas.
- Healthcare practitioners can use USSD services to spread knowledge by offering preventive care and health education. It can also be used to set reminders for hospital appointments and drug reminders.
- Actual-time health monitoring and data collection are enabled with the help of the USSD service. This makes it easier to monitor patients’ health and collect data from remote locations at the convenience of the health practitioner’s premises.
- The USSD service can also be leveraged in cases of emergency, where individuals quickly connect to emergency services like ambulance dispatch. It can also be used to disseminate first-aid instructions.
- USSD can also be used as an important tool for health surveys. This can serve as a means of monitoring and evaluating health services and other relevant health information sourcing.
- Healthcare specialists can now provide services outside of their immediate surroundings because of USSD. Patients who might not have access to specialists due to their location can now connect with them using USSD. This improves the availability of specialized care.
- Additionally, the use of USSD can increase the health-seeking behavior of individuals. This is because individuals are sure to get prompt responses to their queries with the click of a button. This can be used by individuals who have diseases that carry social stigma. Since USSD services eliminate face-to-face interactions, these individuals are encouraged to seek their needs without fear of exposure or judgment. This, in turn, will improve their health outcomes.
Challenges in leveraging USSD for healthcare
Although there have been significant advancements in the use of USSD for healthcare, there are still certain obstacles to overcome. Among them are:
- The simplicity of USSD’s service delivery is its strength and weakness; this is because the sessions are usually short, and there’s a limited amount of data that can be exchanged; this can hamper healthcare delivery in instances where there is a need for detailed information to be shared.
- Since healthcare data is confidential and requires strong protection, it is important to protect patient data’s integrity and confidentiality when transferred via USSD. Other digital communication platforms are believed to be more secure than USSD.
This, therefore, makes the use of USSD in healthcare inefficient. This can be attributed to the strict data laws that make it mandatory for patient data to be kept secure. Ensuring USSD meets these standards makes it challenging to implement it in healthcare.
- Putting USSD-based healthcare solutions into practice requires dealing with a complicated system of laws and regulations. In many regions, national rules concerning telemedicine, patient data protection, and mobile communications may restrict USSD services.
Also, linking USSD with current healthcare systems and guaranteeing interaction with other technologies can be challenging. This can pose a challenge to regions with complex healthcare infrastructures.
- The USSD interface could pose another challenge for individuals with limited basic education. They may find it difficult to follow prompts and input the needed information correctly. This will affect the data that is collected for service delivery. Additionally, it can be challenging for users with different languages and dialects to navigate the service.
- USSD is usually text-based and does not support multimedia content; it becomes challenging to deliver comprehensive healthcare because users cannot share content such as x-rays and test results. Therefore, it restricts the type of healthcare service that can be provided, potentially reducing the quality of care.
- While internet access is not required to use USSD, an adequate GSM network must be available to function. The reliability of USSD use may be affected in locations with weak GSM connections or frequent interruptions in the network. This can eventually prevent some places from receiving healthcare by causing disruptions in its delivery.
- USSD does not support advanced authentication, which can make it challenging to verify users’ identities. This can give rise to unauthorized access, making it difficult to keep patients’ records.
Balancing the opportunities and challenges of USSD in healthcare
Extending access to healthcare through USSD technology offers tremendous possibilities, especially in underserved and remote regions with poor internet availability. Because of its ease of use, affordability, and widespread accessibility, USSD technology is vital for reducing healthcare gaps. However, to fully fulfill its capabilities, issues with user experience, security concerns, legal challenges, and limited data capacity must be resolved.
Strengthening its capabilities, guaranteeing strong data privacy, and merging it with current healthcare systems can realize USSD’s full potential and offer all-encompassing and efficient healthcare solutions to the populations that most need them.
