Index - Major Sections
Home

**InHCc HMIS**

Site Map
Health Economic and Reform

Benefits

Discussion

Data and Data Analysis

Health Management

Product and Services
References
Team

_______________

Index - Same Level Subject

Index - Child Subjects

Introduction

In many cases, it appears that physicians think of themselves as the only relevant people in the healthcare system. In designing healthcare systems, physicians will often say that the system must be "user friendly" or "intuitive"...to them...It seems to make no difference that other stakeholders are involved and that their data need to be used by more people than just them. While, it may take a little longer for the physician to collect his data, in the long run...it will shorten the time to put that information to use.

It is not important how long it takes to collect the data but rather how long it takes before that data can be turned into information and used.

Stakeholders can be defined as 

"any human or non-human organization that can affect or be affected by a human or non-human organizations unit's policy" (Vidgen and McMaster, 1995).

If we take this definition, we can see that everyone is affected by any decision taken in a health care institution.

Many articles on stakeholders promulgate the "advantages of stakeholders involvement" and that "greater cooperation and acceptance for the project will be achieve."   What is ignored is that only one individual or unit can destroy the cohesiveness of a project. In many cases it is better to leave these individuals or groups out of the planning process. What seems to be ignored is the shortsightedness of many who have the authority and power to affect health care but fail to do so because of their self interests.

An example today, is HIV/AIDs. When the epidemic first started, it was viewed as being limited to certain groups, and of no great concern [except among those groups]. This seemingly rational decision, to them, was taken in the name of "individual privacy" and "individual freedom." Today we are on the verge of entire communities becoming extinct, and in some cases, nations. 

Although this is only one example, and I believe a good example, it shows that health care can affect all and all can be affected by health care. There should be no disinterested bystanders. Even so, conceptually, different entities do have different reasons for their involvement in health care. 

I like to make a point here that is often not supported by many...especially in other countries...I like to refer to a "Patient" as a "Client". A word "Patient" carries with it the connotation of an individual whom we as caregivers must provide care. The term "Client", however, indicates that the individual can and should be a part of the contract...i.e. they should also be involved in what is taking place and can decisions affecting their own treatments and health status. In all this web site...we will use Client to indicate where in most places the individual is called a patient.

Some of these are, but not limited to, the following.

• Individuals who often have a "subjective view" of their health

• Families

• Healthcare Professionals (usually requiring formal training)

  • Physicians

  • Pharmacist

  • Nurses

  • Allied care professionals

• Social Workers

  • Social workers (professionals)

  • Teachers

  • Financial advisors

  • Life Style Change advisors

  • Legal advisors

• Healthcare Administrators

  • Top level mangers

  • Middle level managers

  • Clinical managers

  • Management

  • Financial Analyst

  • Risk Manager

• Care Providers Administrators

  • Hospital

  • Clinics

  • Diagnosis Centers

• Administrators

• Policy Makers/Legislators

  • Local Communities

  • Federal/State Healthcare Reform

  • Support programs

  • Distribution of services

• Researchers

  • Evidence based medicine

  • Patterns and trends of diseases

  • Medication design

  • Screening programs

  • Social/Medical interactions

• Academia

  • Health Economists

  • Healthcare Management

  • Consultants

• Funding Organizations

  • Donors

  • Social Security Services

  • Federal Support programs

  • Insurance Companies 

  • Charities and philanthropic organizations

• International Health Care Organizations

  • WHO

  • Surveillance of emerging disease and disease patterns

• Pharmaceutical companies

• Vendors of Health Care Products

• Business Development

• Other interested parties

Some of the players are in it "for the money." Some are interested only in the papers they will be able to publish. Some are interested because it is a well paying job. Some are interested because health care is a "political issues" and Some are interested because they really care. 

A project will either fail or succeed based on the interest of the stakeholders. Sadly, the stakeholders that really matter, the individuals, do not have much influence.

Now what does this discussion have to do with "Health Informatics?" 

Health informatics is about information and its use. If a clear understanding is not had concerning the types of information needed, how it is used, and the roles of the users, then we get no information. 

In any process that converts Data to Information, that data becomes information only by clearly understanding the users of that information and their interests. 

See section of Users in Decision Support in Health Informatics 

This Web site will attempt to use "Information" for "processed" data.

Requirements

The first requirement is which one of these stakeholders is going to be the "owner" of the data. Who is going to have the responsibility of its care?

In general, in most manage care or integrated health care systems there is a "gatekeeper" who coordinates the health care for a single client over the client's lifetime. It is to this individual who we may assign the role of  "owner" of the data.  

Communities 

Local communities play a very big role in the outcome of individual clients. In many cases, it is the community that sets the standards of care and of social changes. A good example is that of family planning. Peer and local community pressure can affect changes that are impossible otherwise. It is InHCc's belief that public health has not "marketed" their product sufficiently to the local communities. 

Vendors 

Health Care vendors can be used to play a more active role in health care. It is important to show vendors that by developing a well organized coordinated plan, their risk factors will be reduced and that their investments can be profitable. Today, because of the uncertain nature of investments by governments and political issues, vendors have little incentive to invest. 

Back to Top