HLTC16H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 21: Public Health Informatics, Health Level 7, Public Health Surveillance
10 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Public health: science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities and individuals. Public health informatics: systematic application of information and computer science and technology to public health practise, research and learning. Phs serves to: estimate the significance of the problem, distribution of illness, natural history of a disease, detect epidemic. Identify epidemiological and laboratory research needs: evaluate programs and control measures, detect changes in infectious diseases, monitor changes in health practices and behaviours, asses the quality and safety of health care, drugs, devices, diagnostics and procedures, support planning. Surveillance systems can be classified based on data collection purpose and design. Symptoms are monitored (diarrhea or cough) before an actual diagnosis is made: ex. Multiple individuals complain of stomach symptoms over a short period of time, one can assume there is an outbreak of gastroenteritis.
