Public health informatics is the systematic application of information and computer science and technology to public health practice, research and learning. , On the other hand, eHealth has been described as a means to ensure that “the right health information is provided to the right person at the right place and time in a secure, electronic form to optimize the quality and efficiency of health care delivery, research, education and knowledge. In health systems, information and communication technologies are being used to improve the timeliness and accuracy of public health reporting and to facilitate disease monitoring and surveillance. They are fundamental in distance learning, and in enabling rapid response in emergencies. This course is an introduction to the development of the knowledge and skills of systemic application of information, computer science, and technology to public health practice within the context of eHealth in the United States. Students will acquire a basic understanding of specialized public health applications such as registries, epidemiological databases, biosurvelliance, public health reporting alerts, quality reporting, and how to adopt/use of population health functions for electronic health records and consumer functions for personal health records. In addition, the student will acquire a basic understanding of the potential of public health information technology for health promotion and chronic disease prevention
1. To provide students with an overview of public heath informatics and e-Health
2. To provide students with a basic
understanding of principles and examples of informatics practice in a public
health context including the use of some tools needed to design, develop,
implement, and evaluate public health information systems.
3. To provide students with a basic understanding of public’s health information needs and learn models to engage individuals and the community for healthcare and population health.
1. By the end of the course the student will be able to
demostrate basic knowledge of what is public health informatics, and the
current state of PHI and capacities, and its role in public health practice.
2. By the end of the course the student will be able to
demostrate basic knowledge the best practices and core informatics competencies
to improve health outcomes
3. By the end of the course the student will be able to
demostrate knowledge about data sources
commonly available to public health professionals.
4. By the end of the course the student will be able to demostrate
knowledge on how social media could be used to support disease surveillance and
the access by the public of relevant public heath information.
5. By the end of the course the student will be able to demostrate knowledge about the Electronic Health Record, its benefits and problems with the technology. as it realtes to public health profesionals.
6. By the end of the course the student will be able to demostrate knowledge about the Personal Health Record and its importance for efectively engage patients in their health care.
7. Demostrate best practices for public health leadership seeking to incorporate informatics into their work place's strategy
opportunities to engage with national stakeholders on federal guidance and
policy issues that will impact the future of state and local public helath