introduction

Health information is an essential pillar of the World Health Organization (WHO). There is a universal demand for improved access and affordable quality healthcare. This has created changes in the roles and responsibilities of healthcare workers in the healthcare system. Health information and analysis ensures evidence-based healthcare decision-making contributing to equitable and accessible health services and improved health outcomes. The Health Information System ensures efficiency of health services through enhancement of information management at all levels in the health system.

course description

This course provides knowledge and skills for data collection, analysis, reporting and application of data for improving health service delivery. Students will learn to apply methods and tools to use health care services information for evidenced-based decision-making in the management of health service delivery at all levels – healthcare facilities, sub-district and district levels.

target audience

Primary Health Care (PHC) Facility Managers, Hospital Managers, District Managers, Information Officers, Data Capturers, Professional nurses and medical students on community service practice.

admission

Any equivalent qualification on NQF 4 level (matric certificate) with relevant practical experience.

learning outcomes

After completing the course, you will be able to:

Conceptualise the role of a health information system for the management of health services.
Understand epidemiological terms and concepts.
Collect and analyse data, and apply information.
Identify information gaps and data limitations.
Distinguish different ways of presenting health information.
Identify and apply methods and tools to understand how and why healthcare services information is generated.
Develop skills to use relevant health information as the basis for making evidence-based decisions.

course content

The key themes/topics that the course will cover:

Conceptualise the role of a health information system for the effective management of health services:

Health information systems.
Planning cycle.
Information cycle.
Monitoring and evaluation.
Written and verbal feedback as a powerful management tool.
Information culture.

Conceptualise basic epidemiological terms and concepts:

Basic epidemiological terms and concepts.
Disease incidence and prevalence.
Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage.

Collect, process, analyse data and information:

Conceptualise indicator data sets, data elements, indicators, indicator formulae and types of indicators.
Analyse data and information for selected indicators.

Identify information gaps and data limitations:

Explore different methods to review data quality and to identify information gaps and data limitations.

Distinguish different ways of presenting health information:

Explore different methods to present health information – graphs,maps and tables.

training delivery

The course will be delivered on an eLearning and in blended learning formats.

duration

The duration of the course is 12 weeks (three months).

requirements

Students must have access to computers and the internet.

assessments

Formative, summative assessment, submission of completed work-based experiential or practical assignments.

award

A Health Systems Trust Certificate of Completion will be given to students who complete the course.

fees

The course fees vary, based on the number of enrolments by an organisation for the short course. A quotation per student will be given by the Course Co-ordinator, Cassius Semaushu at Cassius.Semaushu@hst.org.za. Course fees must be paid in full prior to the course start date.