m-health NZ: using mobile technology to improve health

Dr Robyn Whittaker, Dr Muzaffar Malik and I are organising a conference about mobile health at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

The one-day conference will be at the School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, University of Auckland Friday, 6th November 2009

Improvements in mobile communications technologies are occurring continuously and health services struggle to keep pace with the opportunities and demands of this rapid innovation. However, these technologies can be used to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, quality and accessibility of health services. Many innovative and ground-breaking research projects and services that use mobile devices to improve health are being developed here in New Zealand. This conference will bring together research, health services and mobile communications technology expertise, with a focus on sharing experience and looking ahead to the future of m-health in New Zealand and beyond.

Objectives of this conference:

• To bring together those working with mobile technologies in health services or health research across New Zealand
• To stimulate discussion about research priorities and future directions for m-health in New Zealand
• To stimulate research collaborations across centres and between researchers, health services and industry partners

Who should attend:

Researchers, students, health professionals, health services managers, health IT services, mobile phone-related industries, mobile telecommunications companies, and all those interested in sharing experiences and networking with those working in this field

Sponsored by the Health Research Council of New Zealand

Call for abstracts:

There will be a limited number of spaces for oral presentations at the conference. Presentations will be 15 minutes with 5 minutes for questions. Priority will be given to those with a research focus (including health services evaluations) and in this case abstracts should be structured (Background; Aim; Methods; Results; Conclusions). If time allows other types of presentations may be considered (e.g. opinion pieces, future visions, and work in development) or authors may be asked to prepare a poster or to be on a panel.

Please submit abstracts by 14th August 2009 to: [email protected]

Abstract guidelines:

• Title (title case, Arial 14 font)
• Authors (initials, lastname1; presenting author underlined)
• Affiliations according to superscript numbers (1 position, dept, employer)
• Headings (bold, Arial 11 font; ideally Background: Aim: Methods: Results: Conclusions:) 250 words maximum (excluding references, Arial 11 font)
• References (maximum of 6; Vancouver style as described here http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/subjects/med/setref-vancouver.htm)

Information for potential sponsors:

We are looking for further sponsors for this conference. Sponsorship could take a variety of different forms, such as sponsoring an international or national speaker, student registrations, post-conference mingling session, or conference packs. Industry stands will also be considered. For further information or to discuss options, please contact Dr Robyn Whittaker [email protected]