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Health information systems in developing countries: some reflections on information for action

Health information systems in developing countries: some reflections on information for action This short paper offers some reflections on the role, effectiveness and challenges for health information systems in developing countries. It is argued that such systems need to support the use of information for action, but that this is often compromised by poor quality data. In addition, good data and related ICTs are inadequate by themselves since effective action also needs knowledgeable people and supportive institutions. Some approaches are discussed on software philosophy, educating people and changing institutions. The paper also includes a brief reflection on theory and its role in relation to action in health information systems, and ends with some reflections for practice. Illustrative examples in the paper are drawn mainly from India, but the issues discussed are relevant to engagement across the globe. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Information Technology for Development Taylor & Francis

Health information systems in developing countries: some reflections on information for action

Information Technology for Development , Volume 26 (1): 7 – Jan 2, 2020

Health information systems in developing countries: some reflections on information for action

Information Technology for Development , Volume 26 (1): 7 – Jan 2, 2020

Abstract

This short paper offers some reflections on the role, effectiveness and challenges for health information systems in developing countries. It is argued that such systems need to support the use of information for action, but that this is often compromised by poor quality data. In addition, good data and related ICTs are inadequate by themselves since effective action also needs knowledgeable people and supportive institutions. Some approaches are discussed on software philosophy, educating people and changing institutions. The paper also includes a brief reflection on theory and its role in relation to action in health information systems, and ends with some reflections for practice. Illustrative examples in the paper are drawn mainly from India, but the issues discussed are relevant to engagement across the globe.

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References (17)

Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Copyright
© 2019 Commonwealth Secretariat
ISSN
1554-0170
eISSN
0268-1102
DOI
10.1080/02681102.2019.1586632
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This short paper offers some reflections on the role, effectiveness and challenges for health information systems in developing countries. It is argued that such systems need to support the use of information for action, but that this is often compromised by poor quality data. In addition, good data and related ICTs are inadequate by themselves since effective action also needs knowledgeable people and supportive institutions. Some approaches are discussed on software philosophy, educating people and changing institutions. The paper also includes a brief reflection on theory and its role in relation to action in health information systems, and ends with some reflections for practice. Illustrative examples in the paper are drawn mainly from India, but the issues discussed are relevant to engagement across the globe.

Journal

Information Technology for DevelopmentTaylor & Francis

Published: Jan 2, 2020

Keywords: Health information systems; information for action; software philosophy; educating people; changing institutions; India; developing countries

There are no references for this article.