scholarly journals Moving Faster than the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Rapid, Digital Transformation of a Public Health System

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 229-236
Author(s):  
Clair Sullivan ◽  
Ides Wong ◽  
Emily Adams ◽  
Magid Fahim ◽  
Jon Fraser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Programming Approach ◽  
Data Governance ◽  
Application Development ◽  
Containment Strategy

Abstract Background Queensland, Australia has been successful in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Underpinning that response has been a highly effective virus containment strategy which relies on identification, isolation, and contact tracing of cases. The dramatic emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic rendered traditional paper-based systems for managing contact tracing no longer fit for purpose. A rapid digital transformation of the public health contact tracing system occurred to support this effort. Objectives The objectives of the digital transformation were to shift legacy systems (paper or standalone electronic systems) to a digitally enabled public health system, where data are centered around the consumer rather than isolated databases. The objective of this paper is to outline this case study and detail the lessons learnt to inform and give confidence to others contemplating digitization of public health systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This case study is set in Queensland, Australia. Universal health care is available. A multidisciplinary team was established consisting of clinical informaticians, developers, data strategists, and health information managers. An agile “pair-programming” approach was undertaken to application development and extensive change efforts were made to maximize adoption of the new digital workflows. Data governance and flows were changed to support rapid management of the pandemic. Results The digital coronavirus application (DCOVA) is a web-based application that securely captures information about people required to quarantine and creates a multiagency secure database to support a successful containment strategy. Conclusion Most of the literature surrounding digital transformation allows time for significant consultation, which was simply not possible under crisis conditions. Our observation is that staff was willing to adopt new digital systems because the reason for change (the COVID-19 pandemic) was clearly pressing. This case study highlights just how critical a unified purpose, is to successful, rapid digital transformation.

Long-term impact of the Galtuer avalanche on the public health system

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-208
Author(s):  
Nina Lorenzoni, MA ◽  
Margit Raich, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Disaster Situation ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Village

On February 23, 1999, an avalanche buried large parts of the village of Galtuer Austria, killing 31 people. The purpose of this paper is to examine the longer-term impact of this avalanche on the public health system. For the case study, we used a mixed-method approach consisting of a document study and expert interviews with people who were involved in the disaster-management operations. Many long-term changes were undertaken in the context of infrastructural measures, disaster-management structures, and coordination and cooperation within the existing system to protect people and property as well as to provide important information for decision makers. The investigation reveals the importance of situational approaches to the post-disaster phase depending on the recovery needs of those affected. Moreover, the value of social capital in a disaster situation is emphasized. 

scholarly journals Accrediting retail drug shops to strengthen Tanzania’s public health system: an ADDO case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmund Rutta ◽  
Jafary Liana ◽  
Martha Embrey ◽  
Keith Johnson ◽  
Suleiman Kimatta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Drug Shops

scholarly journals Erratum to: Accrediting retail drug shops to strengthen Tanzania’s public health system: an ADDO case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmund Rutta ◽  
Jafary Liana ◽  
Martha Embrey ◽  
Keith Johnson ◽  
Suleiman Kimatta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Drug Shops

scholarly journals Experiences and Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Pandemic Management in South Korea and the V4 Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Gergő Túri ◽  
Attila Virág
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Public Health Policies

In the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea suffered significantly less social and economic damage than the V4 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) despite less stringent restrictive measures. In order to explore the causes of the phenomenon, we examined the public health policies and pandemic management of South Korea and the V4 countries and the social and economic outcomes of the measures. We identified the key factors that contributed to successful public health policies and pandemic management in South Korea by reviewing the international literature. Based on the analysis results, South Korea successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the appropriate combination of non-pharmaceutical measures and its advanced public health system. An important lesson for the V4 countries is that successful pandemic management requires a well-functioning surveillance system, a comprehensive testing strategy, an innovative contact tracing system, transparent government communication, and a coordinated public health system. In addition, to develop pandemic management capabilities and capacities in the V4 countries, continuous training of public health human resources, support for knowledge exchange, encouragement of research on communicable disease management, and collaboration with for-profit and non-governmental organizations are recommended.

scholarly journals Integration of health care in the Basque Country during COVID-19: the importance of an integrated care management approach in times of emergency

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julen Izagirre-Olaizola ◽  
Goizalde Hernando-Saratxaga ◽  
María-Soledad Aguirre-García
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Integration Process ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Way

Abstract The main objective of this study is to analyse the process of integration of health care implemented in the public health system (Osakidetza) of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (CAPV), and assess whether the steps taken to date have helped or hindered the work of health personnel in times of COVID-19. Based on a case study, an assessment is made of the way in which certain tools of the integration process have been applied, if they have worked well and if they have led to better management of the pandemic. For the purpose of this study, a qualitative methodology is chosen consisting of a case study and in-depth interviews with health personnel at the front line of the integration process and the fight against COVID-19. This study makes two fundamental contributions. First, it analyses the health integration process in recent years in the public health system of the Basque Country. Second, it gathers the perceptions of different agents related to the Basque Health System of the way in which the tools of the integration process implemented in recent years have worked during the pandemic, detailing the positive and negative perceptions in this regard. Our conclusions offer a series of strategic recommendations linked to comprehensive patient care and the use of tools related to teleconsulting: the unified medical record, electronic prescription, and non-face-to-face care channels.

India as a Pioneer of Innovation

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Informal Economy ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Innovation Project ◽  
Context Specific

What does innovation mean to and in India? What are the predominant areas of innovation for India, and under what situations do they succeed or fail? This book addresses these all-important questions arising within diverse Indian contexts: informal economy, low-cost settings, large business groups, entertainment and copyright-based industries, an evolving pharma sector, a poorly organized and appallingly underfunded public health system, social enterprises for the urban poor, and innovations for the millions. It explores the issues that promote and those that hinder the country’s rise as an innovation leader. The book’s balanced perspective on India’s promises and failings makes it a valuable addition for those who believe that India’s future banks heavily on its ability to leapfrog using innovation, as well as those sceptical of the Indian state’s belief in the potential of private enterprise and innovation. It also provides critical insights on innovation in general, the most important of which being the highly context-specific, context-driven character of the innovation project.

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