It’s an exciting time in the world of health informatics as technology is increasingly being used to improve health outcomes.
And while the promise is great, there are also certainly challenges in helping create strong systems that incorporate the latest technology to help shape and improve policies.
Devex sat down with Joy Kamunyori, a health informatics adviser at ICF International and Sam Wambugu, senior health informatics specialist at ICF International to discuss the latest trends, challenges and steps forward in health informatics.
The challenges they outlined included bringing two disciplines that have grown separately together, a lack of coordination in reviewing and assessing technology, and problems with creating a culture of decision making that actually puts the data to use.
Moving forward more countries need to develop robust electronic health frameworks that help create a set of standards and improve interoperability between programs and organizations and allow countries to use data strategically.
After all, Kamunyori said in the interview, if you can’t show that the data is being used and creating change, then it will be difficult to get continued participation and buy-in with programs.
Watch the full interview to find out more about health informatics.
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About the author
Adva Saldinger@AdvaSal
Adva Saldinger is an Associate Editor at Devex, where she covers the intersection of business and international development, as well as U.S. foreign aid policy. From partnerships to trade and social entrepreneurship to impact investing, Adva explores the role the private sector and private capital play in development. A journalist with more than 10 years of experience, she has worked at several newspapers in the U.S. and lived in both Ghana and South Africa.
