Here is a document from the PAHO Health Informatics Consultation held
in Washington during the week of November 10th, 1997
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Objective of the PAHO Expert Consultation
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The objective of the Consultation is to characterize how the applications
of Health Informatics, taking advantage of telecommunications resources
and an appropriate health information infrastructure, can advance the aim
of enhancing the general health conditions of society and health status of
the population and contribute to the improvement of the access, quality
and management of health care systems in the Member States of the Region
of the Americas.
The Consultation congregates a selected international group of experts in
the areas of health systems organization and management; information
technology, information systems and information systems management;
clinical care; epidemiology; telemedicine; health promotion and health
services policies. Participants will examine and discuss pertinent
subjects and draft a set of recommendations as they relate to computer-
based telecommunications in health and health care to be employed as a
reference framework to orient the formulation and execution of projects,
research activities and other investments in the area. Health, health
information systems and stakeholders issues will be identified and their
role examined. The following topics will be examined:
[a] Description and critical analysis of the current status and potential
evolution of the subject area and applications of computers and
communications methodology and technology to health care activities.
[b] Definition of the requirements (infrastructure, user interface,
efficiency enhancement and health care specific technologies) for the
development, implementation and operation of telecommunications
applications in health and health care in Latin America and the Caribbean.
[c] Recommendations on areas of application most appropriate to the
characteristics of the health sector and technological development of
Latin America and the Caribbean.
[d] Identification of existing regional and other resources that can
collaborate in the promotion and support of project formulation and
development in the area of health applications of telecommunications.
[e] Recommendations on actions to foster the exchange of experience,
promotion of telecommunication applications in the health sector and
research in the use of health information methodology and technology.
[g] Propose an evaluation methodology and process incorporating needs
assessment, process monitoring and outcome appraisement for health
information and telecommunications projects.
[h] Compile a core list of references oriented toward health professionals
and health services managers.
The Consultation will produce a document, to be published in English,
Spanish and Portuguese and distributed by the Pan American Health
Organization. It is expected to serve as a primer on basic
telecommunication-based information systems for health professionals and
services managers and as a general reference for area project development
in the Latin America and Caribbean Region.
Sponsors
The Conference is being [was] sponsored by the Pan American Health
Organization PAHO/WHO and The KOOP Foundation Inc.
Role of PAHO
The mission of Pan American Health Organization to its constituency - the
public health sector of Latin America and the Caribbean Regions - in the
area of information systems, technology and information systems
management, primarily involves the transfer of knowledge, technical
support, facilitation of the exchange of experiences between countries and
fostering the use of appropriate technology and knowledge assets.
It is a recognized fact that the health sector, especially the public sub-
sector, is lagging behind in the adoption of telecommunications-based
services when compared to other segments of the society. Three major
challenges are faced by the public sector regarding the deployment of
health and health care informatics applications: cost, accessibility and
impact in the quality of health care and health status. Among the chief
concerns regarding the development and implementation of health
applications of telecommunications, are approaches and technical solutions
to:
* Benefit health sector clients by improving access to services and
quality of care and preserving equity.
* Best support the information and knowledge needs of health
professionals, managers and researchers and client requirements in
relation to health interventions.
* Promote the development of medical and organizational infrastructure
most appropriate to take advantage of the methods and technology of
telecommunications and computing.
* Manage the knowledge content of applications and the role and
responsibilities involved.
* Foster the multi-disciplinary approach and strategic perspective
required to take full advantage of Health Informatics applications.
* Face the variety of needs and implementation environments found in
Latin America and the Caribbean.
* Establish policies and market foundations to enable the growth of
Health Informatics.
Further Information is on the PAHO web site //www.paho.org/ or ....
For additional information please complete this form and fax it or mail it
to PAHO/WHO Office in your country or to:
Health Services Information Systems Program
Division of Health Systems and Services
Development
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)
525 23rd Street, N.W.,
Washington D.C. 20037,
Tel: (202) 861-4313
Fax: (202) 861-8481
E-Mail
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