Health Information Systems and Migrant Health in Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Biddle ◽  
Kayvan Bozorgmehr ◽  
Rosa Jahn
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Migrant Health ◽  
European Region ◽  
High Quality

Ensuring the health of migrants and access to appropriate health services presents a challenge to health systems in the age of global migration. Reliable and timely information is key to decision-making in all sectors of the health system to ensure that health system goals are met. Such information is even more important among a mobile, sometimes rapidly changing, dynamic and heterogeneous migrant population. While health information systems (HIS) are crucial for effective functioning of other health system blocks as well as for evidence-informed decision-making, they are often sidelined in health system policy and development. Looking across the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region, HIS for migrants are deficient both in their overall availability and their integration into regular monitoring structures. Less than half of the 53 member states routinely report health data for refugees and migrants. Most of the routinely collected data on migrant and refugee health can be identified in countries with strong population-based records, with some good practice examples of well-integrated and high-quality health monitoring surveys, disease-specific registries, and “parallel” HIS in migrant-specific settings. Overall, however, HIS in the WHO European Region are not able to provide data of sufficient quality and comparability to be well integrated into regular health monitoring structures. The reasons for this can be highlighted by five key barriers to improved information systems for migrant health: barriers in recording data, standardizing data collection, harmonizing migrant indicators, producing high-quality data, and sharing information. Better integration can be achieved through increased multilateral collaboration for the harmonization of indicators, strengthening of governance frameworks for data-sharing and protection measures, and the increased use of currently underutilized data collection mechanisms, including health monitoring surveys and medical records from refugee reception facilities. These steps will remain essential for the adequate planning and provision of needs-based care for refugees and migrants.

scholarly journals Availability and integration of health data on refugee and migrants in health information systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Bozorgmehr ◽  
R Jahn ◽  
L Biddle ◽  
S Rohleder ◽  
S Puthopparambil
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Migrant Health ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Network Synthesis ◽  
Synthesis Report ◽  
Integration Data

Abstract This presentation discusses the findings of a Health Evidence Network synthesis report on availability and integration of refugee and migrant health data in health information systems in the WHO European Region. Based on an analysis of 41 full-text studies and 696 abstracts, the report found that refugee and migrant health data were available in less than half of the Region's Member States, and that data availability and integration, data collection systems, as well as indicators on migration varied markedly between states. From these findings, the report derived key policy considerations regarding the strengthening and harmonization of migrant health data collection, as well as governance and monitoring of health information systems.

scholarly journals 25.M. Workshop: Improving migration health information systems: Task-Force for facilitating action

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Information ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Migrant Health ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Health Needs

Abstract Health information systems have not kept up with the demands and needs created by the sharp rise in human mobility over the past three decades. Most health information systems operate in national silos, and fail to provide a fully accurate, reliable and timely picture of the health and health care situation of a world on the move. As such, health needs of a large number of international migrants go unrecognized, and health systems fail to produce the evidence required for migrant-sensitive service planning, monitoring and public health action. The generation of such essential evidence relies on the inclusion of migrant health in health information systems in a consistent, comparable and ethically acceptable manner. A high-level consensus conference in Pecs (October 2019) noted the need for greater harmonisation and international cooperation on migrant health information systems, including data collection, analysis and dissemination. Taking the status quo of health information systems as a starting point, the workshop aims to present steps towards health system reforms which make information systems more sensitive and responsive to the health needs of increasingly mobile human populations. To this end, the workshop brings together researchers, policy makers and health professionals from different fields and institutions, to share existing knowledge, and by jointly exploring the following questions: What measures can we take to facilitate the harmonisation of migrant health indicators and data collection methods to ensure cross-border comparability, compatibility and completeness of data?How can we effectively improve international cooperation and governance of data management in order to share and transfer data for reasonable analysis, advocacy, and action?How can we initiate health systems reforms towards the above aims, considering that health systems are complex adaptive social constructs which are often resistant to change and not linear?What ethical and data protection considerations must be made when collecting, analysing and sharing migrant health data?How can build the required human resource capacities? Key messages Evidence based development of ‘migrant sensitive health care system’ requires specific, consistent and comparable health data Health systems harmonization on the field of migration requires supportive policy, guidance, infrastructure and trained human resources

scholarly journals Developing A General Framework for National Health Information Network for Developing Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1792
Author(s):  
Hamid Moghaddasi ◽  
Reza Rabiei ◽  
Farkhondeh Asadi ◽  
Ali Mohammadpour
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
National Health ◽  
General Framework ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Information Network ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Usa

Background: The National Health Information Network (NHIN) is one of the key issues in health information systems in any country. However, the development of this network should be based on an appropriate framework. Unfortunately, the conducted projects of health information systems in the Ministry of Health of Iran do not fully comply with the concept of NHIN. The present study was aimed to develop a general framework for NHIN in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study, in the first stage, the required information about the concept of the NHIN framework and related NHIN documents in the USA and the UK were collected based on a literature review. Then, according to the results of the first stage and with regards to the structure of the Iranian health system, a general framework for Iranian NHIN was proposed. The Delphi technique was conducted to verify the framework. Results: The proposed framework for Iranian NHIN includes three dimensions; components, principles, and architecture. Over 80% of experts have evaluated all three aspects of the framework at an acceptable scale. In total, the proposed framework has been evaluated by 83.8% of the experts at an acceptable scale. Conclusion: The proposed framework was expected to serve as the starting point for moving towards the design and creation of Iranian NHIN. At any rate, the framework could be criticized, and it could only be used for the countries whose health system is similar to the structure of the health system in Iran. [GMJ.2020;9:e1792]

Understanding the challenges associated with the use of data from routine health information systems in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 183335832092872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klesta Hoxha ◽  
Yuen W Hung ◽  
Bridget R Irwin ◽  
Karen A Grépin
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Health System Strengthening ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Data Process ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background: Routine health information systems (RHISs) are crucial to informing decision-making at all levels of the health system. However, the use of RHIS data in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited due to concerns regarding quality, accuracy, timeliness, completeness and representativeness. Objective: This study systematically reviewed technical, behavioural and organisational/environmental challenges that hinder the use of RHIS data in LMICs and strategies implemented to overcome these challenges. Method: Four electronic databases were searched for studies describing challenges associated with the use of RHIS data and/or strategies implemented to circumvent these challenges in LMICs. Identified articles were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Results: Sixty studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review, 55 of which described challenges in using RHIS data and 20 of which focused on strategies to address these challenges. Identified challenges and strategies were organised by their technical, behavioural and organisational/environmental determinants and by the core steps of the data process. Organisational/environmental challenges were the most commonly reported barriers to data use, while technical challenges were the most commonly addressed with strategies. Conclusion: Despite the known benefits of RHIS data for health system strengthening, numerous challenges continue to impede their use in practice. Implications: Additional research is needed to identify effective strategies for addressing the determinants of RHIS use, particularly given the disconnect identified between the type of challenge most commonly described in the literature and the type of challenge most commonly targeted for interventions.

scholarly journals Producing routine malaria data: an exploration of the micro-practices and processes shaping routine malaria data quality in frontline health facilities in Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Okello ◽  
Sassy Molyneux ◽  
Scholastica Zakayo ◽  
Rene Gerrets ◽  
Caroline Jones
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
Data Generation

Abstract Background Routine health information systems can provide near real-time data for malaria programme management, monitoring and evaluation, and surveillance. There are widespread concerns about the quality of the malaria data generated through routine information systems in many low-income countries. However, there has been little careful examination of micro-level practices of data collection which are central to the production of routine malaria data. Methods Drawing on fieldwork conducted in two malaria endemic sub-counties in Kenya, this study examined the processes and practices that shape routine malaria data generation at frontline health facilities. The study employed ethnographic methods—including observations, records review, and interviews—over 18-months in four frontline health facilities and two sub-county health records offices. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results Malaria data generation was influenced by a range of factors including human resource shortages, tool design, and stock-out of data collection tools. Most of the challenges encountered by health workers in routine malaria data generation had their roots in wider system issues and at the national level where the framing of indicators and development of data collection tools takes place. In response to these challenges, health workers adopted various coping mechanisms such as informal task shifting and use of improvised tools. While these initiatives sustained the data collection process, they also had considerable implications for the data recorded and led to discrepancies in data that were recorded in primary registers. These discrepancies were concealed in aggregated monthly reports that were subsequently entered into the District Health Information Software 2. Conclusion Challenges to routine malaria data generation at frontline health facilities are not malaria or health information systems specific; they reflect wider health system weaknesses. Any interventions seeking to improve routine malaria data generation must look beyond just malaria or health information system initiatives and include consideration of the broader contextual factors that shape malaria data generation.

scholarly journals Health Information Systems In The Decision-Making Process In Primary Care

10.3823/1873 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ericka Silva Holmes ◽  
Sérgio Ribeiro dos Santos ◽  
Alexandra Fraga Almeida ◽  
Jéssica Helena Dantas de Oliveira ◽  
Gyl Dayara Alves de Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Decision Making Process

Key Health Information Systems Outsourcing Issues from Six Hospital Cases

2011 ◽  
pp. 136-149
Author(s):  
Chad Lin ◽  
Yu-An Huang ◽  
Chien-Fa Li ◽  
Geoffrey Jalleh
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Health Information ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Outsourcing Contracts

Traditionally, little attention has been paid by hospitals to the key issues in the health information systems (HIS) outsourcing decision-making process. This is important given that the HIS outsourcing can play a key role in assisting hospitals in achieving its business objectives. However, the decision-making process of HIS outsourcing in hospitals is under-studied, especially in the management of their HIS outsourcing contracts. Therefore, the main objectives of this book chapter are to: (1) examine key issues surrounding the management and implementation of HIS outsourcing in Taiwanese hospitals; and (2) identify issues that are crucial in managing and implementing HIS outsourcing in hospitals. Four key issues and problems were identified in the HIS outsourcing process: lack of implementation in IS investment evaluation process, problems in managing HIS outsourcing contracts, lack of user involvement and participation in HIS outsourcing process, and failure to retain critical HIS contract management skills and project management capabilities in-house. Solutions and recommendations are provided to deal with key issues that are critical in the management and implementation of HIS outsourcing in hospitals.

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