Before starting a digital transformation project, it is important to know what is the current state of IT systems in the health sector. For this, we propose two tools that you can use depending on the time and budget you have. The CETIC tool proposes a detailed diagnosis of IT systems while the system mapping tool proposes a more general and high level diagnosis.
A Future State/Critical Success Factor FS/CSF exercise is needed as part of the design of every project with a Digital Health Transformation component. In fact, the only reason why this exercise should not be done is if an equivalent exercise was done previously (this does not include a project planning document, or a system design prepared by a consultant. It needs to be similar in the dynamics to prepare the project). If done well, FS/CSF will provide you with key inputs for your POD, PEP, Risk Matrix and PMR.
It is good that you know your destination, but how long will it take you to get there? The road to a fully developed Health information system may be overwhelming if you can only see how far the destination is. However things become more manageable if you can see clearly where you are and what are the steps needed to move forward. Even in the destination is many years away. A maturity model can help you see by yourself how far you are from your destination and where can you get realistically in a limited period of time.
This tool, created by PAHO, allow to conduct an assessment of the current organizational structures, operational functions, and human resource capacity related to Information Systems for Health (IS4H) within a Ministry of Health and other relevant national authorities, and to develop options for new or alternative organizational and delivery models to strengthen any identified capacity gaps. In this section you will find template for TORs and example of final products from some of our projects.
This tool developed by PAHO provides a high-level analysis of the current state of health information systems in the country in terms of information and knowledge management processes, information governance and open government initiatives.
You can download a Standard Proposal Document. This document is a standard proposal for technical support to your country. It presents the different tools available for project preparation. It allows you to start a conversation with your counterpart about which tool to apply depending on the priorities of the country. This proposal was prepared in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization and many of the tools are directly accessible in the different sections of this toolkit.
In this section you will find ones of the key ideas you may want to share with your counterpart when talking about health informatics and digital transformation in health and some useful documentation to support these ideas.
TALKING POINTS:
This presentation contains key messages about the Division's vision of digital transformation and examples of how we use our tools and apply our principles.
Digital transformation is here to stay, as evidenced by the growing consensus among the global community. The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region has large deficiencies in quality and efficiency, two areas in which digital transformation of services has significant potential. While this trend is changing lives, digital tools are not, and never will be, “silver bullets” that produce results on their own. However, they are useful to re-design social protection and health services to be more personalized for the people of Latin America and the Caribbean.