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Health
Information Forum: Working together to improve access to reliable information for healthcare
workers in developing and transitional countries
REPORT: Impact of information on healthcare in developing countries
Royal College of Nursing,
London, Tuesday 20 May 2003
Chair: Jackie Lord, Head of
Library and Information Services, Royal College of Nursing; Chair of CILIP's
Health Libraries Group
EXAMPLES OF IMPACT:
You are invited to contribute examples of impact, especially human
stories where (for example) access to information has saved a life, or
where lack of access to relevant, reliable information has led to
morbidity or mortality. This resource will continue to be updated
on an ongoing basis. Please send your stories to [email protected].
Your stories will help to raise awareness of the importance of health
information, and will help to strengthen political and financial
commitment to health information activities worldwide.
Adedeji Ayodeji Onayade,
Senior Lecturer/Consultant Community Physician,
Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife, Nigeria <[email protected]>
DISCUSSION:
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The issue was raised of
how difficult it is to measure actual health impact, and how hard it is
to put a cost on each life saved.
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There was also discussion
of the management system in place to run the medical records system; the
MINPHIS software developed in collaboration with the University of Kupio,
Finland, was used to enter and track data, including lab results.
Jane Ireri, African Medical
Research Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
<[email protected]>
<http://www.amref.org>
DISCUSSION:
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A representative of the
International Council of Nurses asked for ideas on how to assess the impact of
their mobile libraries for remote sites. Suggestions included
measures of usage, feeedback from users, soliciting experience and advice from
others on 'HIF-Net at WHO', and contacting the WHO Blue Trunk Library to
explore ideas together.
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The loss of slide
projectors as a technology was mentioned as a cause of low availability of visual
training material available.
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Ways to promote a 'reading
culture' in Kenya were discussed, such as buying novels for the medical library
and placing them strategically close to medically more relevant
information.
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Working with journalists
to develop health education messages ('Dr Amref talks'), as well as TV slots
and videos, were also presented as ways to get messages to relevant target
audiences.
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The session discussed how
information and knowledge could be used to strive for optimum healthcare. A
framework showing how knowledge can be used to have an impact on healthcare was
discussed. From this it is clear that many factors should be taken into
account, such as consideration of the user environment.
The INFO Project is a major new health information project, funded by USAID. The project is based at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Communication Programs and expands on its predecessor, the Population Information Program. The project will focus on reproductive health information, and will include capacity-building for adaptation and dissemination, resource centre development, and networking.
Ward Rinehart, Project
Director <[email protected]>
Vanessa Carroll,
Collaborations & Outreach Manager <[email protected]>
DISCUSSION
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Pictures often carry a
message better than words' and many people prefer images rather than text
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It was reasoned that an
information provider has to make a lot of effort so as to cater for different
audiences. The job of information provision is resource intensive and
highly skilled, requiring medical knowledge and understanding, effective use
of language(s), and knowledge of the needs of end users.
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A question was asked about
the mode of information provision. The reply indicated that USAID had
given INFO the freedom to use whatever medium/format/channel was
suitable.
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A question was asked about
how INFO would measure impact. A monitoring and evaluation specialist would
join INFO next month.
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It was indicated that part
of the mandate of INFO is to strengthen and reinforce what others are
already doing, and to then bring the attention of developing country
organisations to these.
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One participant suggested
that INFO might further define its dual role as an information provider and
as a facilitator for networking etc. The next phase may be to develop an
action plan to develop the general framework into a set of practical
objectives.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
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One audience member gave
anecdotal evidence to illustrate how the user's environment can limit
understanding of key concepts. The specific example referred to a top-down
schooling system. Such factors should be considered when planning information
activities.
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Cultural aspects should
also be considered. For example, some students may be less familiar with
critical appraisal, something which is not part of their background and
education.
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Experts often use acronyms
and a large number of complex terms. They often communicate in a way that makes
their message more complicated. This suggests the language used by information
providers should be clear and simple.
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The terms 'knowledge' and
'information' are not synonymous. Knowledge was described as 'what someone has
inside' and information as 'that which is out-there but not yet
metabolised'. It was felt that the main
challenge is to convert information into
knowledge.
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Information 'flooding',
especially with contradictory information, was highlighted as a potential
problem for information providers. It was felt that duplication of
resources should be avoided. It was also mentioned that 'reciprocity' is important.
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Information provided
inadequately or inappropriately can lead to avoidance of information. In order to
stimulate use of information, the information should be clear, reliable
and relevant.
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The need to use local
researchers was emphasised, referring to the axiom 'keeping knowledge as local
as possible'.
Acknowledgement: Thanks to Tim Beanland and Julie Reza, both of the
Wellcome Trust, for taking notes during the meeting.
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