Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
-
As health informatics combines people and IT, it can support the detection, response, and control of infectious diseases, such as in the following scenario: Influenza in school children in Bangkok.
Detection: School absence data collected through electronic or mobile systems show a rise in influenza-like illness. Hospital pediatric units also observe a spike of influenza cases and report to the local public health organization through electronic reporting system and share dashboard.
Response: Local public health teams identify the outbreak using real-time data dashboard. Therefore, they investigate the schools, and alert teachers, parents, and surrounding communities through digital communication platforms.
Control: Preventive measures such as health education, hygiene promotion, and temporary class closures are introduced to stop further spread. These can be supported by IT tools such as e-learning, mobile educational message, electronic tracking of prevention effectiveness.
In summary, health informatics helps bring the data sources (school absence, clinical and lab reports) into an early detection system that leads to public health action supporting by IT tools communicating among people.
-
I am a clinician with experience in health research, and am currently building up my knowledge in epidemiology and public health to gain a broader perspective on health. To improve my profession in public health/health informatics, I would need to gain knowledge and skills of the followings:
1. Computational and Mathematical Sciences: I have knowledge in medical statistics, but limited experiences with computer science and IT. I would need to develop skills in programming, database, data analysis and IT systems, so I can apply these tools in the public health settings.
2. Management and Social Sciences: Although I have experience leading research projects and working in teams, I would like to strengthen my skills in project management, business/organization administration, health policy, and regulations. These skills will help me apply clinical work with public health management on a broader scale.
3. Health Sciences: This is my area of expertise, given my background as a clinician and health researcher. I would like to learn health informatics to integrate it with my background in health science to solve more complexed health problems.
-
-
-
