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

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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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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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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Revisiting public health informatics: patient privacy concerns

International Journal of Health Governance ◽

10.1108/ijhg-11-2017-0058 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 149-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

David Birnbaum ◽

Kathryn Gretsinger ◽

Marcy G. Antonio ◽

Elizabeth Loewen ◽

Paulette Lacroix

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Information Technology ◽

Health Informatics ◽

Privacy Protection ◽

International Perspective ◽

Service Research ◽

Public Health Informatics ◽

Patient Privacy ◽

Political Climate ◽

Content Type

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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