SOHITCOM

This project aims to address difficult health challenges in rural areas and within cities through the design and implementation of a proof of concept medical social networking website. The website will be complemented by other access means, such as mobile phones and community radio to maximise the outreach of information and the utility of the system. Such website would enable medical practitioners to interact with the public regardless of their geographical proximity, and would facilitate the discussion of sensitive health issue and problems. This is believed to be particularly relevant in Jordan where society norms and traditions may hinder the open discussion of certain sensitive health related problems. The website would allow contributions from medical doctors, medical students, nurses, pharmacist and other medical personnel in Jordan to assist online users (whether doctors or patients) with questions related to health. Also, it would allow interaction between online users (patients) to form common interest support groups. Mothers of new born babies in a particular area, for example, can form local groups to support each other and share information during their new experience. The project’s information channels, such as mobile phones and community radio, could also be utilised to broadcast and access health information to such groups in a cost effective manner.