It is our overall objective to empower health care workers and research scientists in resource-constrained settings to undertake independent research projects. integerafrica develops end-to-end IT research solutions that can be implemented in urban and remote areas. integerafrica requires only minimal technical equipment, i.e. mobile network coverage and a device that can access it. With the engagement of health care workers and research scientists, the project has the capacity to become a large medical research database for African infectious diseases. The geo-location aware data will reveal information on disease distribution and spread. Ultimately, the intelligent real-time data analysis allows for the development of an independent surveillance system within a network of health care facilities.

integerafrica is a multidisciplinary team of medical researchers, IT specialists and designers. We provide consulting medical research services in the private sector; in public secondary and tertiary care centres and remote primary care clinics.

Through concept validation and intelligent design integerafrica develops a user-friendly data capture platform and ensures data integrity. Platforms are tailored to the research questions and are unique for every study. Data definitions and data rules are integrated in the architecture and design. This ensures that the user gathers the data that is needed to answer the research question. The architecture is developed according to clinical work flows and chronological procedures, such as follow-up patient visits. The design is also mobile and touch screen friendly.

Health care workers and research scientists find integerafrica's portal comprehensive and intuitive for any type of content management.

Our services are aimed at developing research visions and smart IT solutions that align with our customer’s needs and leverage new and existing information management architecture.

Scientists in various locations in Africa and beyond can collaborate on research projects by joining research groups. Data can be entered, edited and shared according to user rights. This allows scientists to undertake collaborative research projects in multi-site environments. Collaborating research can range from simple cohort studies to complex controlled trials.

Harnessing the best technology currently available, health care workers and research scientists within a group can communicate online though text, voice and online video conferencing on a daily basis. That means that clinical issues and technical difficulties can be shared and problems solved in real time. In addition, collaborating researchers can stay in personal contact, thereby strengthening the collaborating networks. Within this collaborative working environment it is easy to embrace and extend research.

Within research projects, integerafrica facilitates the secure storing and sharing of validated medical research data with a high level of integrity in resource-constrained environments.

Secure and validated data minimises duplication, redundancy and ensures credible results. In close collaboration with the health care workers and research scientists, integerafrica ensures data integrity. This allows the stored data to be used effectively and to respond to complex user queries to answer questions. Data can be cross-referenced, indexed and searched. Data can be shared within the research group and validated within the multi-site research environment. Data can be extracted and analysed in real time, enabling rapid interventions. Uploading of multi-media content to the database allows for capturing the full spectrum of data.

All multi-media information can be uploaded within a research project. The system supports all file formats and therefore enables researchers to attach medical imaging and videos, image and audio files to a clinical record. This allows storing of complete clinical information using one system.

Examples include:

• X-rays
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• Cytology and histopathology slides
• Heart sound recordings

The data is geo-location aware and allows the mapping of data. Google maps is fully integrated into the system. Geo-location data can be abstracted and randomised to protect patients' privacy and confidentiality.

integerafrica provides tools for real-time data analysis. Health care workers and research scientists, together with integerafrica, define the important analytics required to answer key research questions. This allows disseminating research results and informational at early stage during the recruitment process – (do you mean, this allows research results and information to be disseminated at an early stage while the database grows. Preliminary analysis can be performed on subgroups of the study. integerafrica leverages the potential of Google Analytics, Google Maps and Google Charts to allow for real-time statistical analysis and advanced data visualisation.

integerafrica trains health care workers and research scientists to use the web portal and to understand the concepts of the structure of the database. This can be achieved though personal meetings and teaching sessions, online presentations, voice and online video conferencing or through the development of a FAQ section.

The main aspects of training comprise the Internet, computers and mobile devices to empower health care workers and research scientists, especially in remote areas, to gain access to information in general. If funding is secured, integerafrica assists in decision making on the choice of IT equipment.