International Perspectives in eHealth

Details

Title

International Perspectives in eHealth

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HBI126

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

Academic literature and professional discourse around Health Informatics in the UK tends to focus on the health agendas and technological ecosystems of itself and similar regions. While this reflects the prevailing concerns, requirements and innovations in these regions, it neglects the broader international context of Health Informatics. Moreover, little systematic attention has been paid to cross-national comparisons of policies, infrastructures, economic, political and sociotechnical contexts and the eHealth technology landscape. There is also a gap in understanding of the global agenda for health informatics research and global health surveillance, which are vital for progressing health data science and improving population health. This module is designed to raise awareness of these global issues among NHS health informatics scientists, and to prompt thinking about the value for academic research, the translation of findings, lessons learned and solutions from other healthcare settings/environments to another, and applied to Health Informatics Science.

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to identify the technical and non-technical challenges involved in gathering and integrating electronic data for effective global health monitoring, global health research and practice. They will be able to formulate strategies for improvement and collaboration based on their current knowledge of the political, cultural and technological contexts of eHealth practice, research and innovation in a broad range of environments. The Clinical Scientist in HSST will also be expected to consistently demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for the role of a CCS.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and critically apply their knowledge to global eHealth, including the:

• Challenges involved in gathering electronic data for effective global health metrics and innovative solutions.
• EU, World Health Organization and other international eHealth policies and plans, and determine impact on adoption/adaption of eHealth solutions and delivery of services.
• Key features and trajectories of eHealth policies in differently resourced environments.
• Regional differences in infrastructure and capacity that influence the applicability of eHealth and mHealth platforms.
• Sociopolitical, economic and cultural influences on the appropriateness and effectiveness of eHealth interventions.
• Contextual and international awareness when planning eHealth design or procurement.
• Strategies for successful eHealth development in different socioeconomic environments and settings.
• Range of innovations emerging to suite diverse locations and how some of these are beginning to challenge traditional technology transfer models (e.g. home-grown innovations in lower-income countries).
• Diversity of approaches in eHealth and the application to heterogeneous populations.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will have a critical understanding of current evidence and its application to the performance and mastery of a range of technical skills and will have the skills to be able to:

• Identify a current issue in global eHealth, critically review current literature and determine the key points and debates.
• Present findings, defending how the global eHealth issue impacts on current delivery of services and which is the most critical/important.
• Using findings, create a strategic document that informs an organisation on, for example:
  • how services could be developed/improved in line with international policies;
  • how methodologies/findings from other projects can be translated to the development or improvement of the delivery of a service, outlining the key steps and challenges in doing so;
  • how to foster collaboration between international health organisations across sectors to deliver a cohesive plan.
• Review and evaluate global initiatives and strategies for successful eHealth development and apply findings to a local population.
• Horizon-scan and systematically investigate evidence about future trends and solutions, and analyse and prepare for potential opportunities and risks in an international context.
• Critically reflect on the challenges of applying research to practice in relation to these areas of practice and suggest improvements, building on a critique of available evidence.

Professional practice

The Clinical Scientist in HSST will:

• Critically reflect and apply in practice a range of clinical and communication skills as they work in partnership with the public, patients, clinicians, academics and other healthcare professionals.
• Critically analyse the practice of Health Informatics, ensuring that regular review of research and evidence is undertaken so that adaptation to practice can be made in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Protect research data on conclusion of the project in order to defend any relevant publication and/or challenge to the research findings.