WPR!RC44/Technical Discussions!l
ANNOUNCEMENT
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In conjunction with the forty-fourth session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific Manila, Philippines September 1993
WPR/RC44/Tec:hniQI Discuaiona/1
"New or extended health care infrastroctures are now in place in many-' countries and there is an increased awareness of the importance of the information. "1 "However, in virtually all developing countries potential recipients of information support are widely dispersed and communication presents problems. "2
, Rolf Weitzel, "Essential Books for Health Workers in the Third World", World Health Forum, Vol. 13, 1992. , Royaltey, H.H., "The Information Needs of Health Care Workers and Consumers in Developing Countries·, Vol. 8, No.1, 1990.
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WPR!RC44/Technical Discussions!l
THE
1993 TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS
Introduction
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The central issue or concern ofthe topic "Information and Communication Support for Primary Health Care" is the need to improve the system(s) of providing health information (literature, documentation, statistics, management information, etc.,) to the first-level health care providers. The term "information" here encompasses research, findings, conference and meeting reports, technical publications, information and data from higher echelons of the health system; information for public education, selected texts, periodicals and other health literature. The term "communications" refers to the infrastructure or process of dissemination, distribution, interpretation and use of this information. It also includes the technology and methods to assure penetration to the lower levels of the health system in a form and timeframe that meets information needs. The significance of this topic goes beyond the health/biomedical information programme. It has strong implications for health promotion, continuing education, technology transfer, technical programme implementation and biomedical information.
WPR/RC44fTechnical Discuaiaw/1
For example, to be successful, health promotion must equip Individuals, families and communities with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about adopting behaviour conducive to good health. The availability of appropriate information and documentation on the subjects of lifestyle-choices (human behaviour and health) is a cornerstone of that effort. This information should increase the knowledge and understanding of local health workers. They will then pass their knowledge on by their contact with clients in the clinical setting, as well as through their other general contact with individuals and families. In addition, informed advice can be passed on through the usual channels of education and public information. With respect to continuing education, the need to improve local access to health literature information is clear. The concept that activities directed towards the maintenance, updating or extension of the knowledge or skills of a professional is a continuation of that person's professional education or "continuing education" is well accepted and such activities require the support of health literature, documents or information. -Technology transfer delivers new methods, procedures, practices and applications to health care providers and individuals to improve health care delivery performance or individual health management or behaviour. The transfer of new ideas, techniques, etc., and their adoption into general use, is a concern of alltechnical programmes.
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The health disciplines are unique in that there is no other group of professionals dispersed over an entire national territory as is the case of physicians, nurses and medical assistants staffing district hospitals and local health centres. These front-line primary health care providers need to have appropriate health information reliably delivered where it is needed. Applications for this information range from clinical emergencies, to response to severe administrative or programme management problems. There is a critical need to establish mechanisms to assure the timely flow of relevant health literature and important management information from national level to the operational level of the health system.
Purpose .-
The objectives of the Technical Discussions are as follows: _ to explore the problems of provision of health literature and Information to f/rstlevel health workers; to assess the technology and methods for solvIng these problems; and to ldentltv selected actiVitIes or courses ofaction thoc mIght be InitIated by Member States or WHO aver the next few years.
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WPR/RC44/Technical Discussionsll
Relationship of regional priorities to topic
The following are examples of the types of linkages to be discussed: • • • • Human resources for health - continuing education and training Health promotion - Information fo. llfes/:VIB choices €nvlronmental health practices, safe drinking water hl/glenlc
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€radlcaUon of selected diseases - recognition of acute flaccid paralf,lSls in polioml/elitls reporting €xchange of Information and experience - feedback of health status monitoring reports to health worker.; Management strengthening - control and follow-up of information between the supervisor and the supervised
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Situations in which information can improve health services delivery
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Interaction between health worker!. (supervisor and supervised)
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Interaction between health worker.; and clients Interaction between health worker.; and the communltv Interact/on between client and his/her Illness (to recognize serious symptoms)
WPR/RC44/Technical Discussions/1
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Interaction between population groups: • young and old • sick and healthy • privileged and underprivileged Interoction between govemment sectors: • • • • education and agriculture education and health agriculture and health health and industfJI
What types of
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Why we should not smoke (or should maintain a smoke-free dinic) When to take a child to the health centre (for acute resplrotofJI infections, dlarrhoeol diseases, etc.) What should t/le nurse or midwife be alert to In short course chemotherapy for tuberculosIs (drug react/ons, lack of compliance, etc.)
informationl
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.................................. The Technical Discussions will consider three
Focus of the Discussions
main issues, namely:
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the process and Infrastructure for ImprovIng regional and national capabilities In proViding health Informatlan to first and Intermediate-level health workers; the need for I8glanal and national policy for the management of Information
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WPR/RC44lTechnicel OIscusstGn8/1
resources In suppott of prlmaty health core; and. • the prospects for expanded use of new Infotmatlcs techno/ogt; to focllitats dIssemination and IISS of health Information.
In each of these areas, there are problems 91-.. priorities, staff responsibilities, budget, as well c.. social or technical concerns of language, culture, geography and other barriers and constraints to success.
Preparations for the Technical Discussions
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R moderator will be appointed bl' the Regional Committee on MondaI', 13 September. 1993. R background paper outlining the need for literature awareness and quantitative thinking in the del/vety of health services at the primaty health core level will be available to the session. Following a brief introduction of the topic bl' the Moderator. the SecmtarlC--will present a short audlovlsua, report giving detailed examples of the tl'pes of problems and constraints perceived and the current status of activities In the Region related to solutions.
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Everything will be done to encourage broad participation in the discussions to make the dialogue as interactive as possible and to stimulate identification of future courses of action by Member States and WHO.