Reassessment in provision of Health Libraries and Information Services among HIS students in Health Organizations-Tanzania, 2020.

 

Tanzania Health Information Science Association

Author links open overlay panelRajabu Simba / HIS - CEDHA Tanzania/ October 2020

Abstract

Background

Health information science is a hybrid curriculum that encompasses multi discipline including Basic health sciences, Information & Communication Technologies (ICT), HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, LIBRARY & information sciences, General health informatics concepts such as Research data and health records management. In 2017/2018 academic year HIS programme was started under Ministry of Health at CEDHA-TANZANIA. The program intends to train competent health information specialists with the skills to manage the changing landscape of Tanzanian and other developing nations health information needs.

Objective

To reassessment of the responsibilities, challenges, roles, workin places, working depertments and impact of health Information Sciences students during internship at Health Organizations in Tanzania 

Methods

A reassessment was carried out using Online Training Evaluation Survey of Tanzania HIS Students, including Students from Mwanza College of Health and Centre for Educational and Development in Health Arusha - CEDHA, Health care providers. A focus group approach was used to gather data from students during Internship.

Results

Results from this reassessment revealed that Health Information Science Students  in Tanzania are faced with the challenges of lack of health sciences libraries for training during field Practices, Outdated and insufficient resources at Health Organizations and low knowledge of  trainers in Health information provision.

Conclusions

The findings obtained from this reassessment are Strong Services delivery in Medical Libraries through competent Clinical/ medical aweresnes of Health information Science students, sufficient services delivery of information in Health Libraries due to aweresnes of Information Technology, Data quality management through efficient data collection, analysis and interpretation and analytical skills, increased the quality of healthcare services delivery through Saving time and reduce the length of  stay

Key Words

health information, 

health information Science students, 

health sciences libraries 

Tanzania

Introduction

Health information science is a hybrid curriculum that encompasses multi discipline including Basic health sciences, Information & Communication Technologies (ICT), HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, LIBRARY & information sciences, General health informatics concepts such as Research data and health records management

In 2017/2018 academic year HIS programme was started under Ministry of Health at CEDHA-TANZANIA  

The program intends to train competent health information specialists with the skills to manage the changing landscape of Tanzanian and other developing nations health information needs.

The Health Information Science training programme was established to produce competent Health Information Science professional who possesses relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes in the design and management of health information systems in health training institutions and care settings. The programme will produce personnel who will discharge duties in information collection, processing, storage and dissemination of health information and other related in information

Methodology 

The study was carried out using Online Training Evaluation Survey of Tanzania HIS Students, including Students from Mwanza College of Health and Centre for Educational and Development in Health Arusha - CEDHA, Health care providers. A focus group approach was used to gather data from students during Internship aimed to discuss the following objectives

R01: Responsibilities of Health Information Science Students during internship

R02: Working Places where  Health information students attached during internship

R03:Working Department that Health Information Science students were attached 

R04:Impacts of Health Information Science Students during internship

R05: The role of these Health Information Science students during internship were to

R06: Challeges faced HIS students  during internship

Data Analysis.

The qualitative data gathered through focus groups discussion and Online Training Evaluation Surveys were initially analyzed by the HIS 6 Students and the note takers involved in conducting the focus group discussions. After completion of the focus group discussions, HIS 6 was able to compile the evidence into a online data matrix form and Google Analytics 

The discussion using guiding questions (protocol) to gather in-depth information; the note takers recorded the matters arising from the discussion.

The entire data matrix is available as a PDF electronic file of supplemental mateRESULTS

RESULTS

A summary of findings with representative comments from HIS Students is organized around the six themes. The results offer a compelling snapshot of the health information students practices in field area

Theme 1. Responsibilities of Health Information Science Students during internship

Question: Mention responsibilities of Health Information Technician in Health Organizations?

HIS Students mentioned responsibilities such as

1. To assist in providing health information during surveillance and rapid response to public health threats

2. To Maintain health records in and health information resources centre

3. To support client’s health information needs on learning, teaching and research

4. To assist in maintaining Health Management Information System. For example DHIS 2, GoT-HoMIS

5. To promote conduct marketing of health information resources and services through e-networking market.

6. To provide health information literacy training to clients such as students, staffs, patients.

7. To design and manage database for health information services resources

8. To assist in planning, developing, maintaining and operate computerized health information resource center

9.To conduct and collect health information user’s statistics to get total number of patients admitted and discharged in health facilities.

10. To ensure proper arrangement of health data and information resources through filling, shelving, tracing by using file cabinet, shelves, computer

Theme 2. Working Places where  Health information students attached during internship

Question: What do you know about the working place where Health information technician practices work?

All of the HIS Students  from CEDHA and MWACHAS was responded such as

1. National Hospital (Muhimbili National Hospital)

2. Zonal Referral hospitals (Bugando Hospital)

3. Regional Referral hospitals (Mount Meru Hospital , Morogoro Hospital, 

4. District hospitals ( Kasuru Hospital)

5. Health Centers (Levolosi Health Centre, Kaloleni health Centre) 

6. Dispensaries (Agha khan Dispensary)

7. Academic, Library and Health research institutions (CEDHA, IAA Library, Nelson Mandela Library)

8. HIV/AIDS Department In Hospital Or Non Organization (EGPAF)

3. Working Department that Health Information Science students were attached

 

Question: What about the departments that health information Technician practices work?

All Students answered this Question effectively

1. Health Records Department/Unit/Section (Referral Hospital, Regional Hospitals, District Hospital, Health Centres and any other health Institutions)

2. Health information Resource Centre (Health Institutions - CEDHA, Nelson Mandela, IAA).

3. Health Management Information Systems Department/Unit at Regional and National level.

4. Medical library and health information resources centres

5. Health insurance organizations. For examples NHIF, NSSF, CHF

6. Medical research department (Ifakara Health Institute).

7. HIV/AIDS Department as Data clerks

8. Non-government organization and government organization ( EGPAF - Arusha branch)

4. Impacts of Health Information Science Students during internship

1. Increased the quality of healthcare services delivery through Saving time and reduce the length of stay

2. Increase Saving time and reduce the length of stay

3. Data quality management through efficient data collection, analysis and interpretation and analytical skills

4. Production of competent human resource for health through sharing health information skills such as employee relation, teamwork and collaboration

5. Reduction of HIV/AIDS infections through the power of relevant health-related information 

6. Reduction of Support in inaccuracies inhealth data collection, analysis during -related research through competent Health information skills using SPSS, EPI infoand innovation

7. Reduction of operational cost such Medical errors in billing, registration, coding systems through monitor vulnerable population

5. The role of these Health Information Science students during internship were to

1. Provide evidence based medicine resources to clinicians

2. assist medical and nursing students

3. Provide appropriate information resources to patients, families, and public

4. Assist in the organization of medical records

5. facilitate the transition to electronic systems for medical records management

6. Management of health information systems and databases

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH INFORMATION SCIENCE

Health information science is a hybrid curriculum that encompasses multi discipline including

Basic health sciences,

Information & Communication Technologies (ICT),

HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases

LIBRARY & information sciences

General health informatics concepts such as Research data and health records management

In 2017/2018 academic year HIS programme was started under Ministry of Health at CEDHA-TANZANIA  

The program intends to train competent health information specialists with the skills to manage the changing landscape of Tanzanian and other developing nations health information needs.

AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The Health Information Science training programme was established to produce competent Health Information Science professional who possesses relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes in the design and management of health information systems in health training institutions and care settings. The programme will produce personnel who will discharge duties in information collection, processing, storage and dissemination of health information and other related information 

Purpose of the Programme

This level is meant to provide basic health information science knowledge, skills and appropriate attitudes to students. All modules are fundamental and are intended to build students’ knowledge and skills necessary for acquiring competences for management of Health Information Science;

instil motivation for life-long learning and good foundation for professional advancement studies in Health Information Science

Program Intend to

1.Establish a foundation in professional practice and career advancement in HIS field

2.Equip students with the appropriate basic knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to HIS practice

3.Equip students with high level of skills, knowledge and understanding to undertake health information science responsibilities.

4.Promote creativity and innovation in response to challenges associated with health information management practice, training and healthcare delivery

5.Promote teamwork culture, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in HIS

6.Promote a good sense of citizenship, accountability and responsibility

7.Promote professional ethical practice and medico-legal aspects of health records and information science

8.Provide life-long learning behavior for HIS personnel and advancement of the profession

9.Provide a wider outlook of the learning content and context so as to increase learners’ advantages into regional and international labour markets.

Expected responsibilities

1. To assist in providing health information during surveillance and rapid response to public health threats

2. To Maintain health records in and health information resources centre

3. To support client’s health information needs on learning, teaching and research

4. To assist in maintaining Health Management Information System. For example DHIS 2, GoT-HoMIS

5. To promote conduct marketing of health information resources and services through e-networking market.

6. To provide health information literacy training to clients such as students, staffs, patients.

7. To design and manage database for health information services resources

8. To assist in planning, developing, maintaining and operate computerized health information resource center

9.To conduct and collect health information user’s statistics to get total number of patients admitted and discharged in health facilities.

10. To ensure proper arrangement of health data and information resources through filling, shelving, tracing by using file cabinet, shelves, computer

Where to Work/ Working Places

1. National Hospital settings

2. Zonal Referral hospitals

3. Regional Referral hospitals

4. District hospitals

5. Health Centers

6. Dispensaries

7. Academic and health research institutions

8. Local and International Health Organization

9. Non-Governmental Organization

10. Faith-Based Organization – Health

Private health institutions

11. HIV/AIDS Department In Hospital Or Non Organization

12. Statistical departments

Working Department

1. Health Records Department/Unit/Section (Referral Hospital, Regional Hospitals, District Hospital, Health Centres and any other health Institutions)

2. Health information Resource Centre (National Hospital, Referral Hospital, Regional Hospitals, District Hospital, Health Centres, Dispensaries and any other health Institutions).

3. Health Management Information Systems Department/Unit at District, Regional and National level.

4. Medical library and health information resources centres

5. Health insurance organizations. For examples NHIF, NSSF, CHF

6. Medical research department for examples NIH (National Institute of Health), NIMR (National Institute for Medical Research), IHI (Ifakara Health Institute).

7. HIV/AIDS Department Inin Hospital Oror Non OrganizationNon-Organization as Data clerks

8. Non-government organization and government organization [ AMREF, WHO, EGPAF]

9. Statistical departments. Examples National Bureau of Statisticsoutcomes

Expected Impacts

1. Increased the quality of healthcare services delivery through Saving time and reduce the length of stay

2. Increase Saving time and reduce the length of stay

3. Data quality management through efficient data collection, analysis and interpretation and analytical skills

4. Production of competent human resource for health through sharing health information skills such as employee relation, teamwork and collaboration

5. Reduction of HIV/AIDS infections through the power of relevant health-related information related information

6. Reduction of Support in inaccuracies inhealth data collection, analysis during -related research through competent Health information skills using SPSS, EPI infoand innovation

7. Reduction of operational cost such Medical errors in billing, registration, coding systems through monitor vulnerable population

The role of these Health Information Specialists will be to

1. Provide evidence based medicine resources to clinicians

2. assist medical and nursing students

3. Provide appropriate information resources to patients, families, and public

4. Assist in the organization of medical records

5. facilitate the transition to electronic systems for medical records management

6. Management of health information systems and databases

Competencies for a diploma program in health information science

A three year program should cover a number of learning operations

YEAR 1

Studies on assisting health workers in providing health information health facilities

1. fundamental of communication skills

2. Basics of first aid and personal protection

3. occupational health and safety,

4. Basic computer application,

5. personal development skills,

6. ethics and professionalism,

7. health information processing (i.e., cataloging and classification)

8. basics health records,

9. basics of health sciences library operations

YEAR 2

Studies on maintaining health information system to health institution and support other members of healthcare team in the provision of healthcare services to clients

1. customer care

2. biomedical terminologies,

3. application of ict’s in health information services

4. preservation and conservation of health information resources,

5. health information systems design

6. application of biomedical terminologies in health information services

7. health information collection development

8. Disaster management

9. health information management

10. Basic of HIV/AIDs

YEAR 3

Studies on organizing and managing health information services in broad activities at all level of health management information systems

1. Introduction to leadership and management

2. marketing of health information services

3. entrepreneurship

4. biostatistics

5. demography and health surveillance

6. project management

7. quality management

8. teaching methodology

9. health information literacy

10. statistical applications in data analysis

11. research methodology

General Roles

1. To address health information needs of patient-centered health care

>Consumer health

>Reduce health disparities

>Support patient participation in their own health care

>Information on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

>Ensure public input

2. To provide health information needs for evidence based decision making

3. To provide health information needs for policy decision making

4. Medical records

>Reduce errors

>Identify, compile, abstract and code patient data using standard classification systems

>Review information for completeness, accuracy and compliancy with the regulations

5. To assist in surveillance and rapid response to public health threats

6. To assist first responders during emergencies

7. To chair health information committees and participate in IRBs

8. To manage the health information department, resource Centre, health sciences library, etc.

9. To plan, develop, maintain and operate varieties of health information indexes, storage and retrieval systems to collect, classify, store and analyze health information

10. To support health information needs on learning, teaching and research.

Vision

To have competent Health Information personnel who will provide health information services effectively at different health training and care settings to cope with the existing and emerging health information issues

Mission

To establish a conducive and sustainable training environment that will allow students and graduates to perform competently at their relevant levels and aspire for attainment of higher knowledge, skills and attitudes in promoting healthcare services.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Holders of Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with four (4) Passes in non-religious Subjects including “D” Passes in Chemistry, Biology and Physics/Engineering Sciences a Pass in Basic Mathematics and English Language is an added advantage.

PROGRAMME DURATION

This is a three years Health Information Science training course, using NACTE approved curriculum. It is divided into three NTA levels, 4, 5 and 6. Each level is done in one academic year, divided into two semesters. A candidate who qualifies for this course will be enrolled after verification by NACTE.

The NTA Level of programme has a total of 40 weeks of study, which are divided in two semesters. Each semester consists of Eighteen (18) weeks for theory and practical training and two (2) weeks for end of semester Examinations.

COLLAGE OFFERED HIS COURSE IN TANZANIA

1. CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HEALTH ARUSHA (CEDHA)

2. MWANZA COLLAGE OF HEALTH ALLIED _(LAKE ZONE HEALTH INSTITUTE)

Access to Personal Health Information (Personal Health Booklets)

Patient held records aid patient engagement and patient activation. 

Steve Tomlinson, a professor in diabetology in the 1980's described two types of patients: 

"Internally controlled patients" who accepted that diabetes was their concern and that they needed to have knowledge, skills and application to manage their diabetes.

"externally controlled patients" who felt that the hospital, doctor or nurse should manage their diabetes. He felt that internally controlled patients had better outcomes. I believe that this is true for all long term conditions and that the patient having their own record and access to our copies of the clinical record is an important aid for patients.
Interestingly all maternity patients have held their medical records for decades:

Maternity notes have been held by patients in Hospital for at least 30 years.

“Access to your maternity record"

All pregnant women in must given their own hand held maternity record so that they have access to their maternity notes and records throughout their pregnancy.


"maternity hand held record"

The maternity hand held record is a paper file that contains all your health and medical information throughout your pregnancy. It will be used to record notes about your care and treatment and gives helpful information and advice about pregnancy.

The record will also be used to keep details of your birth plan 

a simple and clear way to let your midwife know what you would like during labour and delivery.

When you will get your maternity record?

You will get your maternity record at the start of your pregnancy and you will keep it until after you have had your baby.

What you should do with your maternity record?

You should keep your maternity record safe and make sure you bring it with you to all hospital appointments or admissions,

Available to pregnant women all contribute to reducing harm and some of the poorer outcomes that Better Births is trying to address. To make this real, this includes birth complications, low birth weight, premature birth, fetal alcohol syndrome, stillbirth and neonatal death or harm.