PH-051 Introduction to Information Systems for Health Managers

Course Description: This course underscores the methodological importance of accurate, relevant, timely and complete data for effective and evidence-based decision-making by Health Managers.  A wide range of data sets, from the traditional morbidity/ mortality data through those on services utilization and resource monitoring, are presented and analyzed.  Elements of data display are introduced.  Epidemiology provides the basis for surveillance, planning and generation of health information systems which are an important component of health care.  The course will discuss the epidemiological concepts of health and measures of health, and introduces screening, epidemics evaluation and study designs.

• This course also meets PLO#(s) 1-11 in  Public Health Training Program

A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
The student will be able to:

1. Recognize and describe basic health science facts and principles;
2. Discuss the essential public health functions;
3. Describe adult, children and family health issues;
4. Demonstrate an understanding and practice of some generic public health competencies;
5. Demonstrate proper public health skills for public health practice in the community as a state or local junior public health officer;
6. Demonstrate community and cultural sensitivity in the health care environment;
7. Describe the determinants and problems of the health of adults, children and families;
8. Demonstrate proper cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid techniques;
9. Demonstrate the ability to make a community diagnosis based on the determinants of health;
10. Identify good public health practice; and
11. Have had work experience at a public health facility.

B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) – GENERAL:
The student will be able to:

1. Critically analyze current Health Information Systems (HIS) and their detailed features.
2. Design, field-test and implement an HIS for an assigned or proposed scope.
3. Demonstrate familiarity with techniques of measurements of health status.
4. Study, discuss, and interpret the results of a sample HIS, and reach evidence-based conclusions for possible health interventions/ actions.
5. Interpret health information in disease prevention and control.

I = Introduced   
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs): SPECIFIC
The student will be able to:

     General SLO 1. Critically analyze current Health Information Systems (HIS) and their detailed features.

General SLO 2.  Design, field-test and implement an HIS for an assigned or proposed scope.

General SLO 3. Demonstrate familiarity with techniques of measurements of health status.

 General SLO 4.  Study, discuss, and interpret the results of a sample HIS, and reach  evidence-based conclusions for possible health interventions/ actions.

General SLO 5. Interpret health information in disease prevention and control.

1. 1. District Health Management
   • District and District Health Management Team (DHMT)
   • Responsibility of DHMT
   • Sources of health data and information
   • Community diagnosis; community health program; and clinical medicine
   • Health planning and management cycle task
2. Epidemiological Principles
   • Phases of epidemiology
   • Case definitions
   • Comparing health status between different populations
   • Health indicators – types and applications
   • Disease determinants, risk factors, mortality rate, morbidity rate, health status, prevalence, incidence and life expectancy
3. The District Population
   • Population census, population density, population pyramid, important groups in district population
   • Health status assessment
   • Application of health parameters and indicators
   • Patterns of morbidity, mortality, and important demographic rates/ measures
4. Health Information
   • Health-related events (morbidity and/or mortality) for measuring population health status
   • Tools for health measurement
5. Health Information Systems
   • Relevance, importance and need for accurate and meaningful data and data sources
   • Advantages and limitations of health information systems
6. Identification, Investigation and Control of an Epidemic
   • Disease epidemic and its features
   • Environmental assessment and other relevant epidemic control measures
   • Epidemic investigation report and management of epidemic checklist
7. Health Surveys
   • Population health surveys: types, purposes, aspects, tools to be used
   • Strengths and limitations of population health surveys
8. Fieldwork Organization for Health Data Collection
   • The need of careful, detailed preparations for a health survey
   • Importance of correct preparations for surveys
9. Data Recording and Coding
   • Reporting forms - design, test and user guidance
   • Forms: how to design and use them
10. Processing and Analyzing Data
    • Correct use of gathered information
    • Basic processing tools for health data analysis
11. Health Information Formats, Dissemination and Reporting of Health Information
    • Data display methods/ tools
    • Health information formats for data analysis
    • Interpretation of data analysis outputs
    • Data dissemination, information sharing and feedback
12. Health Information and District Planning
    • Planning for Health - Why planning and how to plan
    • Data necessary for planning – How to produce high quality data

1. Lectures: in-class lectures, followed by group discussions and activities relevant to the topics presented.
2. Group presentations: students’ presentations on selected readings and group discussion/ activities.

Vaughan JP., Morrow RH. (1989) Manual of Epidemiology for District Health
Management – edited by WHO, Geneva (or most recent edition).

Finau SA., Tukuitonga C., Finau E. (1998) “Chapter 6. HEALTH and Pacificans” – A
manual for Community Workers, Volume 2 of the Pacifican Health Series (or most recent edition).
O’Carroll PW. et al. (2002) Public Health Informatics and Information Systems. Health Informatics Series, CDC, Atlanta (or most recent edition).
Current publications and periodicals of relevance to Information Systems for Health Managers (or most recent edition).

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