Revisiting public health informatics: patient privacy concerns

Purpose Expanding networks of data portals and repositories linked to electronic patient record systems, along with advances in information technology, have created both new opportunities in improving public health and new challenges in protecting patient privacy. The purpose of this paper is to review stakeholder perspectives and provide a framework for promoting implementation of current privacy protection improvement recommendations. Design/methodology/approach This paper summarizes a workshop session discussion stemming from the 2017 Information Technology and Communication in Health (ITCH) biennial international conference in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The perspectives within health service research, journalism, informatics and privacy protection were represented. Findings Problems underlying gaps in privacy protection in the USA and Canada, along with then-current changes recommended by public health leaders as well as Information and Privacy Commissioners, were identified in a session of the 2015 ITCH conference. During the 2017 conference, a workshop outlined the current situation, identifying ongoing challenges and a lack of significant progress. This paper summarizes that 2017 discussion identifying political climate as the major impediment to progress on this issue. It concludes with a framework to guide the path forward. Originality/value This paper provides an international perspective to problems, resources and solution pathways with links useful to readers in all countries.

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Addressing Public Health informatics patient privacy concerns

Clinical Governance An International Journal ◽

10.1108/cgij-05-2015-0013 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 91-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

David Birnbaum ◽

Elizabeth Borycki ◽

Bryant Thomas Karras ◽

Elizabeth Denham ◽

Paulette Lacroix

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Informatics ◽

Privacy Protection ◽

Public Health Informatics ◽

Personal Privacy ◽

Content Type ◽

The Public ◽

Healthcare Data ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Population And Public Health

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review stakeholder perspectives and provide a framework for improving governance in health data stewardship. Patients may wish to view their own lab results or clinical records, but others (notably academics, journalists and lawyers) tend to want scores of patient records in their search for patterns or trends. Public Health informatics capabilities are growing in scope and speed as clinical information systems, health information exchange networks and other potential database linkages enable more access to healthcare data. This change facilitates novel service improvements, but also raises new personal privacy protection issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper summarizes a panel session discussion from the 2015 Information Technology and Communication in Health biennial international conference. The perspectives of health service research, journalism, Public Health informatics and privacy protection were represented. Findings – In North America, an expectation of personal privacy exists as a quasi-constitutional right. Individuals should be allowed to control the amount of information shared about them, and in particular the public expects that details of their personal healthcare data are protected. This is supported by laws, regulations and administrative structures; however, there are fundamental differences between the approaches taken in Canada and in the USA. In both countries, population and Public Health has wide powers to collect data and share it appropriately in order to accomplish a social good. A recent report issued by the British Columbia Information and Privacy Commissioner, and a recent story issued by the Bloomberg News service, highlight ways in which laws and regulations have not kept pace with advances in technology. Changes are needed to enable population and Public Health agencies to protect confidential personal information while still being able to comply with legitimate requests for data by researchers, policy makers and the public at large. Originality/value – Similarities and differences in approach, gaps, current issues and recommendations of several countries were revealed in a conference session. Those concepts and the likelihood of ensuing legislative changes directly impact healthcare organizations’ patients and leadership.

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Public Health and Epidemiological Databases for the Enhancement of Medical Education

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics ◽

10.5210/ojphi.v7i2.5853 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Qazi Mohd. Sajid Jamal ◽

Mughees Uddin Siddiqui ◽

Mohammad Abdulrahman Alzohairy ◽

Mohammed Abdullah Al Karawi

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Information Technology ◽

Health Education ◽

Health Informatics ◽

Consumer Satisfaction ◽

Health Planning ◽

Public Health Education ◽

Handheld Computers ◽

Public Health Informatics ◽

Correct Treatment

The collaboration of public health education and information technology has made patient care safer and more reliable than before. Nurses and doctors use handheld computers to record a patient's medical history and check that they are administering the correct treatment. Fortunately Public Health Informatics (PHI) is the intersecting point of technology and public health. Therefore, the inclusion of online medical and epidemiology databases in the course curriculum of budding medical professionals and postgraduate students would be beneficial in enhancing the quality of health care, extensive epidemiological research, health education, health policies, health planning and consumer satisfaction as well. The purpose of this article is to discuss and provide introduction of various databases which have huge information and it could be used to enhance the public health education.Keywords: Information Technology, Public Health Informatics, Public Health Education, Databases.

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Public health delivery in the information age: the role of informatics and technology

Perspectives in Public Health ◽

10.1177/1757913918802308 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 139 (5) ◽

pp. 236-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

F Williams ◽

A Oke ◽

I Zachary

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Information Technology ◽

Real Time ◽

Health Informatics ◽

Education And Training ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Public Health Informatics ◽

Electronic Surveillance ◽

Health Delivery ◽

And Training

Aim: Public health systems have embraced health informatics and information technology as a potential transformational tool to improve real-time surveillance systems, communication, and sharing of information among various agencies. Global pandemic outbreaks like Zika and Ebola were quickly controlled due to electronic surveillance systems enabling efficient information access and exchange. However, there is the need for a more robust technology to enhance adequate epidemic forecasting, data sharing, and effective communication. The purpose of this review was to examine the use of informatics and information technology tools and its impact on public health delivery. Method: Investigators searched six electronic databases. These were MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, COMPENDEX, Scopus, and Academic Search Premier from January 2000 to 31 March 2016. Results: A total of 60 articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. These studies were organized into three areas as (1) definition of the term public health informatics; (2) type of public health surveillance systems and implications for public health; and (3) electronic surveillance systems functionality, capability, training, and challenges. Our analysis revealed that due to the growing expectations to provide real-time response and population-centered evidence-based public health in this information-driven age there has been a surge in informatics and information technology adoption. Education and training programs are now available to equip public health students and professionals with skills in public health informatics. However, obstacles including interoperability, data standardization, privacy, and technology transfer persist. Conclusion: Re-engineering the delivery of public health is necessary to meet the demands of the 21st century and beyond. To meet this expectation, public health must invest in workforce development and capacity through education and training in informatics.

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An Information Technology Call to Action to Support Healthy Homes

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics ◽

10.5210/ojphi.v11i2.10247 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Edward Mensah ◽

Kevin G Croke

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Information Technology ◽

Health Informatics ◽

Public Health Informatics ◽

Home Environments ◽

Call To Action ◽

Healthy Homes

Advances in information technology over the last decade offer the opportunity to advance the goals of public health advocates to provide safer and healthier home environments. A call to action in public health informatics is needed to realize the benefits of information technology to support healthy home objectives.

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The case for integrating public health informatics networks - An overview of the elements required for an integrated enterprise information infrastructure for protecting public health

IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine ◽

10.1109/memb.2004.1297178 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 81-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

N.L. Snee ◽

K.A. McCormick

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Informatics ◽

Information Infrastructure ◽

Public Health Informatics ◽

Enterprise Information

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Multiple Disease Hotspot Mining for Public Health Informatics in Resource Starved Settings: Study of Communicable Diseases in Punjab, Pakistan

IEEE Access ◽

10.1109/access.2021.3091655 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-1

Author(s):

Fatima Khalique ◽

Shoab Ahmed Khan

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Informatics ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Public Health Informatics

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Public Health and Epidemiology Informatics: Recent Research and Trends in the United States

Yearbook of Medical Informatics ◽

10.15265/iy-2015-012 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (01) ◽

pp. 199-206 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

B. E. Dixon ◽

H. Kharrazi ◽

H. P. Lehmann

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Workforce Development ◽

Health Informatics ◽

English Language ◽

Health Management ◽

Public Health Practice ◽

The United States ◽

Public Health Workforce ◽

Public Health Informatics ◽

Essential Services

Summary Objectives: To survey advances in public health and epidemiology informatics over the past three years. Methods: We conducted a review of English-language research works conducted in the domain of public health informatics (PHI), and published in MEDLINE between January 2012 and December 2014, where information and communication technology (ICT) was a primary subject, or a main component of the study methodology. Selected articles were synthesized using a thematic analysis using the Essential Services of Public Health as a typology. Results: Based on themes that emerged, we organized the advances into a model where applications that support the Essential Services are, in turn, supported by a socio-technical infrastructure that relies on government policies and ethical principles. That infrastructure, in turn, depends upon education and training of the public health workforce, development that creates novel or adapts existing infrastructure, and research that evaluates the success of the infrastructure. Finally, the persistence and growth of infrastructure depends on financial sustainability. Conclusions: Public health informatics is a field that is growing in breadth, depth, and complexity. Several Essential Services have benefited from informatics, notably, “Monitor Health,” “Diagnose & Investigate,” and “Evaluate.” Yet many Essential Services still have not yet benefited from advances such as maturing electronic health record systems, interoperability amongst health information systems, analytics for population health management, use of social media among consumers, and educational certification in clinical informatics. There is much work to be done to further advance the science of PHI as well as its impact on public health practice.

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