“There’s a huge market out there for inventions and innovations in global health – and incredible potential for impact. Engineers and computer scientists can save lives just as doctors and nurses do.”
– Mark Suzman, CEO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, London Tech Week 2023
Topic
The focus of your case study must be a novel product or service appropriate for a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) setting that contributes toward improving, maintaining or monitoring the health of a given population. (Please click here for the World Bank’s most recent list of LMICs.)
Why is health technology innovation so important in LMICs?
These countries often face unique healthcare challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, shortage of healthcare professionals, and limited access to medical facilities. Technology can provide cost efficiency, such as with telemedicine. Health awareness can be increased via mobile apps and online platforms that disseminate important health information. Data-driven decision making can be supported by technology that collects health data and the entire health tech sector in LMICs can potentially drive entrepreneurship and economic growth in those regions. Tech innovation also allows LMICs to collaborate globally through partnerships with international organizations, governments and private sector companies.
Some examples of topics are provided below.
| Potential Topic | Example(s) |
| Technology that permits more patients to be served by the same or fewer skilled people. | Alliança is increasing the number of patients that have access to diagnostic imaging services in Brazil. |
| Process technology innovations that reduce cost or improve quality of care. | Clinicas del Azucar treats diabetes in Mexico via a one-stop-shop, convenient approach. Patient care costs reduced 75%. |
| Energy technology for powering medical devices. | Patient receives oxygen via a solar-powered concentrator. Let by the WHO, this innovation can save lives in places with frequent power outages. |
| Augmented reality in an operating room. | Live streaming with a specialist surgeon. Take imaging done pre-surgery, superimpose it on a screen, and the practicing surgeon’s actions can be followed by the specialist surgeon. |
| Improved diagnostics for malaria. | Diagnosing malaria still needs a human being to examine a blood sample under a microscope, requiring skilled personnel, which may be in short supply. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning may automate and improve the efficiency of this process. |
Additional Submission Requirements
Format:
- Case study and teaching note documents should adhere to the format and style described in “How to Write a Business Case” and “How to Write a Teaching Note”.
- Please adhere to WDI Publishing’s “Preferred Style and Best Practices”.
- Final documents must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- Citations/Endnotes: All data in the case must be cited (in-text with consecutive numbers) with reputable primary or secondary sources. (Note: Wikipedia sources are not accepted.) The consecutive, in-text citations should correspond to full source information at the end of the document as Endnotes. Please use MLA style for endnotes.
Teaching Note: All submitted cases must include a teaching note.
Abstract: An abstract for the case must accompany your submission documents. The abstract should be 150 words maximum.
Protagonist, Decision Point (Dilemma): Case must have a protagonist, clear dilemma/decision points, and sufficient contextual background information for a student to develop solutions to the dilemma.
Primary vs. Secondary Research: If your case study is based on primary data (i.e., proprietary, non-public data gathered via personal interview, phone interview, email interview, etc.), WDI Publishing’s Organization Release Form must be signed by the appropriate contact within the organization before the case will be considered for publication. If your case study is based on secondary data (i.e., data publicly available) then no Organization Release is required.
Previously Unpublished: The case study and teaching note must be previously unpublished and must not be bound by any copyright restrictions.
Geographical Setting: The setting for the case must be a low- to middle-income country.
Citations/Endnotes: All data in the case must be cited (in-text with consecutive numbers) with reputable primary or secondary sources. (Note: WDI Publishing does not accept Wikipedia as a reliable source.) The consecutive, in-text citations should correspond to full source information at the end of the document as Endnotes. Please use MLA style for endnotes. Generally, endnote sources must include: Author Name(s), Title of Work, Source of Work, Date Published, URL, Access Date. Here is an example:
| Duggal, Monica, et al. “Editorial: Challenges in Implementing Digital Health in Public Health Settings in Low and Middle Income Countries.” Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 10, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1090303. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023. |
Publication of the Winning Cases: The winning cases and their teaching notes will be edited, formatted and published on wdi-publishing.com and priced as determined by WDI Publishing.
Authors of Winning Cases: If your case study is chosen as a winner, all authors must sign WDI Publishing’s Distribution License and Royalty Agreement that states:
- Authors assign WDI Publishing exclusive distribution.
- Authors certify and accept responsibility for the type of data in the case.
- Authors will receive no royalties on future sales of the case.
Award Details
- First Place:
- $3,000
- Edited, published and distributed by WDI Publishing
- Second Place:
- $2,000
- Edited, published and distributed by WDI Publishing
- Third Place:
- $1,000
- Edited, published and distributed by WDI Publishing
- Honorable Mentions:
- Edited, published and distributed by WDI Publishing
- No monetary prize
The prize money will be awarded in US currency and may be subject to applicable bank fees. Further, these prizes generate taxable income which will require the winners to provide specific tax information and may, in certain cases, result in significant tax withholdings. For more information, please consult your tax advisor.
Prize money will not be awarded until authors provide the following:
- Completed W-9 tax form (If a US citizen)
- Completed W-8BEN tax form with a US ITIN number (If not a US citizen)
Contact
For all inquiries, please contact us at info@wdi-publishing.com.