Yin Moe Khaing

[Yin Moe Khaing]

During my work experience at hospital, one example of a Decision Support System is the electronic medical record (EMR) system that helps collect and organize patient data such as assessment findings, progress notes, therapy schedules, and outcomes. It supports clinical decision-making.
Overall, the system works reasonably well, especially for maintaining accurate client records and ensuring continuity of care among multidisciplinary team members (physiotherapists, lab technologists, pharmacists, nurses, and doctors). But sometimes the internet connectivity and staff digital skills also affect how effectively the system is used.
Factors that might influence the Decision Support System implementation could be technical infrastructure: which is reliable internet, sufficient computers, and stable power supply are necessary for smooth operation. Another one is staff training and digital literacy because some staff may not be familiar with using electronic systems, so ongoing training is essential. Besides, management support is also important because implementation works better when leaders encourage and allocate time for proper data entry and use. Last one is data quality – The accuracy and completeness of patient data entered into the system directly affect the quality of decision-making.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

One of the key purposes of ICD is interoperability. Without it, exchanging EMR/EHR data between hospitals would become inconsistent so difficulty in health information exchange occurs. Another one is clinical communication problem such as a diagnosis written in free text or using local codes may cause misinterpretation, especially when patients move between hospitals which could lead to errors in treatment, duplication of tests, and poor continuity of care. Many insurance systems use ICD codes for claims, reimbursement, and fraud detection. Without it, billing would be inconsistent and inefficient for both hospitals and insurance providers.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

I agree with the study’s conclusion. EMRs were designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, and interoperability, but in practice, they often introduce heavy documentation tasks, complex interfaces, constant alerts, and increased administrative workload. These factors can overwhelm physicians and reduce the time they spend on actual patient care, which is a key source of professional satisfaction.
I have heard many concerns from healthcare professionals that they feel they spend more time typing, documenting things than interacting with patients. User friendly interface is important as this can make simpler and easier for users.
Some solutions could be:
1. Improve system usability: We can simplify EMR interfaces, reduce unnecessary clicks, and make workflows more intuitive and using speech-to-text and natural language processing to reduce manual typing.
2.Delegate non-clinical tasks: We can employ assistants to handle routine documentation as Sir. Zam suggests. Automate repetitive tasks like prescription refills and test result notifications.
3. Training and support: We can provide continuous training so staff can use EMRs more efficiently. Involve physicians in EMR design feedback loops to ensure real-world usability.
4. Policy and organizational support: Allow protected time for documentation within working hours instead of after hours.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Hi Jenny! Thank you for sharing this interesting project. I believe patients in remote or disadvantaged areas who often struggle with limited access to doctors, diagnostic tools, and timely interventions can receive essential health services closer to home, reducing the need for long and costly travel.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Hi Nang!
Thanks for the knowledge. I believe this project can significantly improve current health practices. When patients receive timely and well-coordinated interventions from providers who have a full picture of their medical history, they feel more confident and cared for. This transparency and continuity of care builds trust between patients and the healthcare system.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

eHealth is the use of digital technologies to support and enhance health, health care delivery, communication, and data-driven decision-making.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

My opinion for an example of Big Data in healthcare is the Electronic Health Records (EHRs) combined with real-time patient monitoring data. For instance, hospitals now collect huge volumes of information such as laboratory test results, imaging files, medical reports, prescriptions, wearable device data (like heart rate, oxygen level, or physical activity), and patient histories. When combined, this creates a massive dataset that can be analyzed to improve diagnosis, predict disease outbreaks, and personalize treatments. This can be helpful in reducing patients’ unnecessary visit to the clinics.
Characteristics of this data according to 5Vs could be:
1)Volume: Healthcare systems generate large amount of data daily from EMRs, medical imaging, lab tests, wearable devices, and from billing systems. There is certainly large variety of data coming from different sources, in different formats.
2)Velocity: Data is generated rapidly in real-time—for example, continuous heart rate and oxygen saturation monitoring from ICU patients, and new wearable sensors helping track patient’s health trends that can be monitored by the doctors.
3)Variety: Data comes in multiple forms such as structured (lab results, demographics), semi-structured (sensor logs, prescriptions), and unstructured (doctor’s notes, CT scan images).
4)Veracity: Data quality can vary; some records may have errors, duplicates, or incomplete entries that require validation.
5)Value: When analyzed, the data can provide insights for better patient care, early diagnosis, and public health decisions.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Brief Introduction
I have observed the implementation of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system in the hospital where I worked. This system was used to digitally store and manage patient health information, replacing most of the traditional paper-based documentation. The EMR allowed doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to access patient records more efficiently and provide timely care.

How it can help improve current practices
The use of EMRs helped improve healthcare practices in several ways:
Efficiency: Reduced the time spent on paperwork and allowed quick retrieval of patient history, lab results, and treatment plans.
Accuracy: Minimized errors caused by illegible handwriting or misplaced files.
Continuity of care: Enabled better coordination between different healthcare providers, as all relevant information was stored in one system.
Decision support: Some systems had built-in alerts for drug interactions or abnormal lab results, improving patient safety.
Patient satisfaction: Faster and more accurate services improved overall patient experience.

Challenges or difficulties
Despite these benefits, there were several challenges in implementing and using the EMR:
Training requirements: Staff needed time and training to adapt to the new digital system.
Technical issues: Power outages or system downtime sometimes disrupted access to records.
Resistance to change: Some staff were reluctant to move away from familiar paper-based methods.
Data privacy and security: Ensuring that patient records remained confidential and secure from unauthorized access was also a major concern.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

I would consider moving the hospital’s information system to cloud computing using a hybrid cloud approach. This allows the hospital to store sensitive data on-premises while using the cloud for less critical data, which is suitable given Myanmar’s current infrastructure and connectivity. Cloud computing provides access to resources and improves mobility, allowing staff to access data from anywhere. It also offers scalability, ensures data security, provides cost savings, and includes maintenance and support handled by the cloud provider.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Yes, my computer was once infected by a cyber threat. It happened when I inserted a USB stick into my computer without checking it for potential malware. The cause was a malware infection from the USB stick. After the infection, my computer started to slow down significantly, and some files were affected or became inaccessible. To prevent this from happening again, I will:

Always scan USB drives with antivirus software before opening any files.

Keep my antivirus and system software updated.

Avoid using unknown or untrusted USB drives.

Regularly back up important files to reduce the risk of data loss.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

I would like to build an app focused on patient care coordination and communication between doctors and patients. It would handle appointment scheduling, medical record access, telemedicine, and medication management. This ensures timely interventions, reduces miscommunication, and helps patients stay engaged in their health. The app would be a mobile app for patients with a web-based portal for doctors, supported by a cloud backend. Mobile access allows patients to receive reminders, track their health, and attend virtual consultations, while doctors can review detailed records and monitor multiple patients efficiently. By improving communication, adherence, and access to real-time data, the app helps prevent errors, enables early intervention, and keeps patients actively involved in their care. For example, abnormal lab results could trigger alerts to doctors, allowing quick adjustments to treatment and reducing the risk of complications.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

In my workplace, the patient management and therapy tracking system for people with disabilities still faces many challenges. Much of the patient information, including therapy plans, progress notes, and medical history, is recorded manually or across multiple unintegrated platforms. This leads to inefficiency, delayed access to information, time consuming, and difficulty monitoring the progress of each patient effectively.

Several components of the system contribute to these problems. Hardware is limited for real-time data entry. Software is fragmented, lacking an integrated system to track therapy, appointments, and outcomes. Data is often incomplete or inconsistent, and processes such as logging therapy sessions and generating reports are time-consuming and easy for errors. Additionally, people—including therapists and administrative staff—may be resistant to adopting digital systems or may lack proper training.

To improve the system, the clinic could implement an integrated rehabilitation information system. Providing portable devices or tablets would enable real-time data entry, while a unified software platform would streamline therapy tracking, scheduling, and reporting. Standardizing data entry, redesigning workflows, and offering staff training would further enhance efficiency. Overall, these improvements would reduce errors, save time, and enable better data-driven decisions for individualized patient care.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Thanks for identifying the key issues, such as the incomplete implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and the lack of a proactive security strategy. I would like to add The Zero Trust architecture could further enhance the system’s security posture. In this model, no user or device is trusted by default, and strict identity verification, authorization, and least-privilege access principles are enforced at every layer of the network. This would make it significantly more difficult for attackers to move laterally once they’ve gained access through a compromised account.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Thanks for your comprehensive and and clear analysis of the SingHealth data breach. I would like to tell my opinion on some additional preventive measures that could help in mitigating similar attacks in the future. Beyond phishing awareness, it would be beneficial for organizations like SingHealth to implement Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools. These tools provide real-time monitoring, automated threat detection, and the ability to respond to suspicious activity at the endpoint level. By detecting unusual activity on the front-end workstation early in the attack, the EDR system could have potentially stopped the malware from escalating further.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Hi Nang!
The preventive measures you’ve outlined are also comprehensive, but I think there are a few more steps that could be emphasized or elaborated on to enhance data protection in similar situations. In this case, PHI was inadvertently shared with Google Ads. Anonymizing or pseudonymizing data before sharing with third parties (like Google Analytics or Ads) could reduce the risks of sensitive information exposure. Only data that is essential for the analysis or targeted ads should be shared, and all personally identifiable information (PII) should be anonymized wherever possible. Thanks for this case study. Data privacy and security measures should continuously evolve in response to new threats and vulnerabilities, especially when dealing with sensitive health information.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Some possible means an attacker could use to conduct a security attack could be:
-Phishing mails are very popular and remain one of the most common methods of cyberattack worldwide. Attackers may send fake emails pretending to be someone or some organization or company name to trick the user into revealing login credentials or downloading malicious files.
-Exploiting weak passwords- weak or reused passwords can be targeted allowing attackers unauthorized access to electronic health records, for example.
-Network-based attacks- for example, Dos/DDoS by overwhelming systems with traffic to make them unavailable. Another one is MitM by intercepting communication between two parties.
-Malware-based attacks such as viruses, worms, trojans- attacker may use malicious software that damages systems or steal data, and ransomware which encrypts data and ask for payment.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

I would choose cloud server rather than physical server due to the following reasons:
1. Scalability and flexibility: The cloud server can easily scale up to handle more appointments or clinics if the patient demand increase, without needing new hardware.
2. Mobility: Patients and healthcare professionals can use the system from mobile devices or computers so it will be easier to schedule and check appointments without physically going to the hospital.
3. Data security: Cloud providers usually make regular updates to secure the sensitive patient data such as data encryption, secure authentication so that makes protecting patient information.
4. Maintenance and support: With limited IT staff, maintaining a physical server would be challenging. Cloud servers are managed and updated by the provider, reducing the burden on the hospital’s single IT officer.
5. Access to resources: As it is a cloud server, it allows authorized staffs and patients to access the appointment anytime and anywhere with internet connection.
6. Cost savings: Using a cloud server will be cost effective without needing to maintain as physical servers.
I suppose PaaS would be appropriate because it provides everything needed to build and run on the appointment system, while removing the burden of infrastructure management. It would be practical, secure, and cost-efficient for a hospital with limited IT resources.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Health informatics play a vital role in outbreak management, especially in settings where vulnerable populations: such as children with disabilities need protection. During COVID-19 pandemic, many children with disabilities were at higher risk due to weak immunity and difficulties in accessing health services. I believe, through health informatics, early detection systems such as syndromic surveillance and real-time dashboards could be adopted to monitor infections also among these vulnerable groups. By developing skills in data analytics and interoperability, I could help design systems that ensure people with disabilities are not missed in the first stages of an outbreak, supporting both families and healthcare professionals, and community workers in real-time information.
In the response phase, digital tools like contact tracing apps and GIS can guide targeted interventions. To link with my current project, I have seen families struggle to reach health facilities due to mobility, financial, or communication barriers. Information skills would enable me to use GIS mapping to identify communities where children with disabilities live, so that vaccination for them or mobile clinics can reach out to their area. Mobile health applications could also be developed for parents. These technologies can make outbreak responses more inclusive and effective.
Long-term outbreak control and prevention can also benefit from health informatics. Immunization Information Systems (IIS) for example, can help track vaccination coverage and highlight children who might otherwise be overlooked in mass compaigns.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

According to my background, I already have clinical knowledge and experience working directly with patients, including working in the community for inclusion of children with disabilities. However, I would like to advance in the field of public health and health informatics, I would need to strengthen my skills in these following areas:
1. Data Science and analytics: I would like to learn the skills on how to collect, manage, and analyze health data to generate insights and support evidence-based decision making.
2. Public Health Knowledge: I need to gain knowledge about how population health, epidemiology, disease surveillance works to be able to connect the informatics skill with public health knowledge.
3. Information technology skill: As I came from the medical science background, I need to develop the technical skills in database management, statistical analysis, and programming languages that are commonly used in health informatics.
4. Ethics, policy, and management: Understanding data security, privacy, and health policy will make me able to ensure that health informatics solutions are ethical and align with the public health goals.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Hello everyone!
My name is Yin Moe Khaing, you can call me Yin or Khaing. I am from Myanmar. I graduated from University of Medical Technology with a specialization in Physiotherapy in 2017. I am currently working as a physiotherapist at an INGO, working in the project related to Disability Inclusion for children with disabilities. Working at an organization and having to handle lots of data make me realize the importance of data management and healthcare analytics. My professional experience working with CwDs and in clinical setting have inspired me how health informatics can improve patient care, optimize healthcare system, and support evidence-based decision making. I see this program as a pathway to bridge clinical practice with technology. I am excited to join this program and aim to contribute my learning and skills in my community.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

I also believe strengthening data systems and human resource capacity would definitely enhance the effectiveness of your Decision Support System.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Hi Ama,
Thanks for sharing your opinion about EPI data. Your mention of Variety and Veracity shows the complexity of EPI data, since it includes both structured (dosage, coverage rates) and unstructured information (adverse events following immunization), and is collected by trained staff using verified hospital records. This helps ensure reliability for disease monitoring. It is good to know this process.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Hi Sayar!
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Community-Based Health App (CBHA) project. Digital literacy and limited internet connectivity are common barriers in community-based health informatics projects. It’s encouraging that practical solutions, such as offline data collection and uploading when connectivity is available, were implemented to overcome these issues.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the EMR project in Yangon. It’s impressive to see how you implemented a comprehensive digital solution across three clinics, involving a multi-disciplinary team of developers. Technical issues, resistance to change, interdisciplinary communication gaps, and interoperability are common challenges in health informatics projects. It’s encouraging that you addressed these proactively through standby developer support, frequent training sessions, and regular check-ins between healthcare providers and developers. These strategies demonstrate thoughtful planning and collaboration, which are crucial for successful implementation.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Your plan to implement a hybrid cloud model for the hospital’s information system is very well considered, especially given Myanmar’s challenges with electricity and internet connectivity. Storing sensitive patient data locally while using the cloud for less critical information strikes a good balance between security and accessibility. I also agree that cloud computing can significantly improve coordination among departments, streamline EMR access, and support faster decision-making during emergencies. Your emphasis on backup power systems, offline storage, and staff training is crucial to ensure continuity and smooth operations despite infrastructure challenges. I think this approach thoughtfully combines technology benefits with practical considerations for the local context. Thanks for sharing.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

That sounds like a very practical and patient-centered approach. A mobile app for scheduling and symptom tracking would empower patients to take an active role in their own care, improving both awareness and adherence to treatment plans. Including a self-evaluation tool or scoring system is an excellent idea. Thanks for sharing.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

I think your proposed improvements are practical and well-targeted. Implementing interoperable EHRs, streamlining workflows, and providing comprehensive training would go a long way toward addressing both technical and human challenges. I would also add that ongoing monitoring and feedback from staff using the system can help identify new issues early and ensure continuous improvement.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

Thanks for sharing your experience. This is a reminder for me who is less aware on security matter.

[Yin Moe Khaing]

There are so many benefits of cloud server and it reduces the IT workload. I also think PaaS will be more flexible than SaaS.

[Author]

Posts