Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Gateway Building, 533N, 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814-4808, USA.
Department of Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA.
Perspect Public Health. 2019 Sep;139(5):236-254. doi: 10.1177/1757913918802308. Epub 2019 Feb 13.
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.
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.
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.
Re-engineering the delivery of public health is necessary to meet the demands of the 21 century and beyond. To meet this expectation, public health must invest in workforce development and capacity through education and training in informatics.
公共卫生系统已经将健康信息学和信息技术视为一种潜在的变革工具，以改善实时监测系统、各机构之间的信息交流和共享。寨卡和埃博拉等全球大流行病的爆发之所以能够迅速得到控制，正是因为电子监测系统使人们能够高效地获取和交换信息。然而，仍需要更强大的技术来增强充分的疫情预测、数据共享和有效的沟通。本研究旨在考察信息学和信息技术工具的使用及其对公共卫生服务的影响。
调查人员搜索了六个电子数据库。这些数据库是从 2000 年 1 月至 2016 年 3 月 31 日的 MEDLINE、完整的 Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature（CINAHL）、Cochrane 系统评价数据库、COMPENDEX、Scopus 和 Academic Search Premier。
共有 60 篇文章符合纳入标准。这些研究分为三个领域：（1）公共卫生信息学的定义；（2）公共卫生监测系统的类型及其对公共卫生的影响；（3）电子监测系统的功能、能力、培训和挑战。我们的分析表明，由于在这个信息驱动的时代，人们对实时响应和以人群为中心的循证公共卫生的期望不断增长，信息学和信息技术的采用也呈激增趋势。现在有教育和培训计划，旨在使公共卫生学生和专业人员具备公共卫生信息学技能。然而，互操作性、数据标准化、隐私和技术转让等障碍仍然存在。
为了满足 21 世纪及以后的需求，有必要对公共卫生服务进行重新设计。为了满足这一期望，公共卫生部门必须通过信息学教育和培训来投资于劳动力发展和能力建设。
