Question

How may the five components of an information system support the practice of public health informatics?

Answer 1

Public health informatics is an information system where the health-related data is computed, communicated, analyzed by healthcare providers, researchers, and public health offices. The information is used by physicians, scientists, pharmaceutical organization for analyzing trend of disease and strategies for prevention and control.

Five components namely hardware, software, database, network, and people are integrated to form an information system. These 5 components are essential for functions like data input, processing available data, output in the form of impression, feedback and control in the form of further actions and preventative measures.

Let us now consider these 5 components and their support to public health informatics:

1. Hardware: This is entry point of healthcare information to be computed. Hardware consists of data input devices like computers, terminals, recorders, etc. This is essential to input the information which would then processed by software component.

2. Software: This consists of program platform, data analyzing tool, digital data conversion software programs, etc. At this level, raw data is processed and converted into analyzable necessary data for intended research.

3. Database: This is a storehouse of all necessary information. Here, the data is stored and secured through encryption technology, so that data is safe and any breech to information privacy is not possible. This acts as bridge between data analysts and data input mechanism.

4. Network: The information in the database is shared with intended researchers or physicians through standard networking mechanism. Networking may include intranet and internet. This is essential component of information system where actual information sharing happens making data usable for number of researchers.

5. People: This component consists of researchers, people with health issues and healthcare needs, volunteers, physicians, etc. This is essential component which is responsible for intellectual outcome about decisions regarding actions to resolve and prevent health issues. Example: Healthcare model to provide cancer care across the nation.