PhD students developing digital programmes to enhance healthcare in low to middle income countries

PhD students and researchers from Coventry University are developing innovative digital solutions to widen access to healthcare in poorer countries.

With more than half the world's population lacking essential health services, PhD students Luh Haryanthi, Sri Sari Padma, and Ainul Mardiah are being supported by researchers from the university’s Centre for Intelligent Healthcare and its digital health social enterprise spin-out, Hope 4 The Community CIC (H4C), to create digital health technologies for Indonesia, which can also be applied elsewhere.

The initiative utilises data and H4C’s cutting-edge software solutions to develop self-management programmes that support patients battling critical health issues like cancer and schizophrenia.

Luh Haryanthi’s research focuses on supporting women who have breast cancer through iQalb, a programme designed to enhance quality of life and spiritual well-being.

The iQalb programme incorporates religious and spiritual activities into breast cancer self-management, including expressions of gratitude and goal setting based on values.

Developed from literature reviews and needs assessments from patients, health professionals and Islamic clergy, the programme received positive feedback, with participants experiencing increased knowledge, improved coping skills, and a more peaceful cancer journey. Luh plans to refine iQalb and conduct a larger trial in Indonesia.

Drawing on her experience as a mental health researcher, Sri Sari Padma created HOPE4Schizophrenia, a programme designed to support schizophrenia recovery.

Connectedness, optimism about the future, identity, meaning in life and empowerment are integrated into the programme to encourage people with schizophrenia to take an active role in their recovery by building social support and managing their symptoms.

Sri's efforts have garnered praise for instilling confidence and hope in participants, driving her ambition to expand the programme's reach and improve mental health outcomes for those with schizophrenia. Supported by research funding from the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Diponegoro, she plans to conduct a randomised controlled trial to further investigate its effectiveness.

Ainul Mardiah, using her expertise as a developmental psychology lecturer, developed Shifa, an online integrated Islamic spiritual programme tailored for adolescents and young adults living with cancer.

The programme was developed alongside cancer patients, healthcare providers and religious leaders to ensure alignment with Indonesian cultural and religious values. By providing psycho-spiritual support, Shifa helps users navigate inner conflicts as well as religious and spiritual issues.

Ainul aims to refine Shifa and continue collaborating with Coventry University and H4C to benefit society across Indonesia.

H4C has supported 13 PhD students to date across various projects, spanning digital health interventions for kidney transplant and endometriosis to addressing other health concerns globally.

The collaboration between Coventry University and H4C offers successful international PhD student access to digital tools and resources, empowering them to enhance their research and make meaningful contributions to global healthcare.

Find out more about H4C.

Find out more about the Centre for Intelligent Healthcare.

These initiatives were funded by the Indonesia Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Republic of Indonesia Ministry of Education and Culture. Luh Haryanthi was funded by the Indonesia Ministry of Religious Affairs as an LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) awardee, while Sri Sari Padma and Ainul Mardiah received scholarships from the Republic of Indonesia Ministry of Higher Education (DIKTI).