Relevance of Informatics on eHealth and Global Health

It all starts with laws and standards. In the ideal world, solutions for health should be guided through by laws and standards.

Information and Communication Technologies and Informatics is way to provide solutions for health care. The construct-deconstruct paradigm shows how responsive health information systems should be designed: starting from knowing what decision are to be made and deconstructing this sequentially into knowledge and further into its information and data components. Following this deconstruct paradigm, the resulting health information systems are more able to address the needs of decision makers at different levels of the system. (A. Marcelo, 2010)  Through that we decide on what is the best ICT solution based on the needs.


Through informatics we are able to manage data electronically depending on the needs of an organisation.  If an organisation needs to organise data collection, data retrieval, and monitoring - there are health information system solutions that are available. On health service delivery,  informatics is also at its core, services such telemedicine, telemedicine applicable devices and information services such as health reminder systems.


Through these solutions, we are able to good quality data for research. Through research, we decisions are outcome based. Managing the resources for health care such as manpower, financing, and the needs of the stakeholders are managed and delivered, and most importantly through good research, the medical profession decide on good medical diagnosis and better health outcomes. These results ultimately contribute to better global health.

Citation: Construct - Deconstruct Paradigm Health Information System by Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo and Julian Cañero, Acta Medica Philippina, 2010

MSHI and HI 201

MSHI and HI 201

(NOTE TO SELF: This not a job interview)

When I started working, I was just there for the gig, I thought that I could really use my great Google search skills, my fair typing speed and my insatiable need to learn.

eHealth, Telehealth, Health Informatics - these things were not taught during my undergrad.. So, I really had no idea about these things. What I really signed up for was RESEARCH. I’ve always loved research. They said I had to learn things on my own… So I was like - Okay… I like things that way… Reviewing on my own, even for licensing exams. I didn’t like enrolling on review schools..So I told myself - GAME ON! But….. My eagerness and tenacity did not prepare me for a career, a profession, a vocation. (Like I said, I was just there for the gig)

I started as an eHealth Nurse, I had to learn from my seniors, but most of the time, I was on my own.. Their tips and the learnings from them are great, but I have proved that my best teacher is learning things on my own.  My experiences on eHealth are of Telemedicine, mHealth and Electronic Medical Records. It took me from handling consultation, training health workers to use mobile health data reporting, then we/I started training health workers to use a telemedicine device, managing an EMR implementation to the point where I am now - telling myself I need to learn and study more not on my own but learning more from the experts and champions on eHealth.

I am excited, but mostly scared (the good kind). There were a lot of things at work that I learned through my experiences as an eHealth implementer, but  a lot more than I can admit, I am at a loss- that I had to review what has transpired and study it.

Finally, Health Informatics 201, it will sure open new doors (and windows) for me in the field and the next year/s of taking my Masters.  It is a path on health that I chose,believing on the fact that HI is important on managing health and research. Believing is my first step.

Original Post on Tumblr (http://abbydarielsantos.tumblr.com/post/94540753388/mshi-and-hi-201)