PADMASHREE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

CORE COMPETENCIES IN PUBLIC HEALTH INFORAMTICS

-BYDr. RAHUL SHRIVASTAVA

BDS, FAGE, MPH

WHAT’S PH - INFORMATICS ?

• Public health informatics is the systematic application of information and computer science and technology to public health practice, research, and learning.                - (Patrick O’ Carroll)

WHAT’S CORE COMPETENCY ?

• A CORE COMPETENCY is  a  concept  in  management  theory  introduced by, C.K.Prahalad and Gary Hamel. It can be defined as "a harmonized combination of multiple resources and skills that distinguish a firm in the marketplace".

• Core competencies fulfill THREE CRITERIA:1. Provides potential access to a wide variety of markets.2. Should make a significant contribution to the perceived customer benefits of the end 

product.3. Difficult to imitate by competitors.For example, a company's core competencies may include precision mechanics, fineoptics, and micro-electronics. These help it build cameras, but may also be useful inmaking other products that require these competencies.

A core competency results from a specific set of skills or production techniques thatdeliver additional value to the customer. These enable an organization to access awide variety of markets.

INTRODUCTION

• 4 steps cyclic process define the core knowledge of PH informatics.• This process can be well described by following,• Examination of curricula – that leads to the acquisition of knowledge of a field 

which in turn suggest knowledge domains / fields of knowledge.• These knowledge domains provide the basis for the development of competencies 

(general ability that an individual needs to possess in order to apply knowledge), which then lead to the skills and knowledge (the SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE) which is required for exercise of the competencies.

• Finally, these skills and knowledge provide the basis for what needs to be taught in a curriculum that is designed to convey the core knowledge.

• This cyclic process is continuous.

Curricula/ work knowledge

Knowledge Domains  Skills and knowledge

       Competencies

The knowledge determination process

CORE PUBLIC HEALTH KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS

1. Analytic/ assessment skills 2. Basic PH science skills 3. Cultural competency skills4. Communications skills 5. Community dimensions of practice skills 6. Financial  planning and management skills 7. Leadership and systems thinking skills 8. Policy development / program planning skills 

CORE DISCIPLINES OF PHI

SCIENCES MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Computer science Technology, database & network management

Knowledge representation skills

Information science Information management Technical skills

Behavioral science Personnel management People, communication & interpersonal skills

Organizational science Organizational  management

Facilitation & leadership skills

Management science Resource, program, project & process management

Management & planning

KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS OF PHI

DOMAIN I DOMAIN II DOMAIN III DOMAIN IV

Organization & systems management

Information systems

Information technology

Public health

• Organization & systems management : This domain includes the competencies needed to manage projects, programs and organizational and technology systems.

• Information systems : This domain contains competencies needed to 1. Design2. Develop3. Implement4. Evaluate Information system

• Information technology : It emphasis on technology i.e. on hardware and software. It includes the technology used to complete a task, whereas IS are overall methods.

• Public health : it includes 5 core PH disciplines ,1. Behavioral science2. Biostatistics3. Environmental health4. Epidemiology5. Health services

without knowledge of these disciplines, a PH informatician is unable to apply systems & technology effectively to support PH practice. 

CRITICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE FOR PH PRACTITIONERS

• Develop strategic plans that reflect future needs of PH and Information Technology.

• Apply leadership & advocacy skills within all levels of PH system.• Demonstrate good communication skills to interact variety of technical & health 

professionals.• Maintain security, privacy & confidentiality of personal & PH information.• Use presentation applications, web browsers & search engines.• Apply biostatistics theory & methods.• Apply environmental & occupational health theory, principles and legislations.• Apply epidemiology theory & methods.• Apply health service administration theory, methods, principles & models.

IMPORTANT COMPETENCIES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTITIONERS & INFORMATICIANS

• Apply project management skills and knowledge to develop PHIS.• Use change management skills and knowledge to encourage adaptation of current 

method and adoption of new methods of information management .• Use information system skills and knowledge in the implementation of PHS.• Use information system skills and knowledge to evaluate implemented PHIS.• Apply skills and knowledge about information technology hardware to assist in 

development and adoption of appropriate IT in PH.• Apply skills and knowledge about operating system, software and applications 

when developing or consulting on a PHIS.• Apply resource management skills and knowledge to provide efficient support for 

PHIS.

IMPORTANCE • Enhances skill and knowledge• Collection • Organizing• Manipulating• Reporting data and information 

EDUCATION CAN BE DELIVERED THROUGH

Schools and Graduate Programs of Public health –

1. Introductory training – basics, computer literacy , information literacy ,basic information management and software programs.

2. Advanced training – competencies , skills and knowledge .3. Informatician training – (MPH) – interested in pursuing professional careers in

PHI.

CONCLUSION & CHALLENGES

• The challenging facing PHI is educating the PH workforce in the knowledge domains that are the framework for PHI.

• For PH informaticians, competencies must include a host of management-related skills , not merely specialization in technology.

• To create educational experiences that are easily accessible for PH practitioners and informaticians.

• PH schools and graduate programs, professional organizations need to collaborate in developing educational program that provide practitioners to increase their informatics skills without leaving their jobs.

• In addition , addressing these challenges will require the  leadership in PH to recognize the need for these skills and to provide the necessary training for employees to acquire them.

REFERENCES• www.cdc.gov/PHIFP/• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_competency• The sciences of public health informatics – part II , springer page 98-112