Using Data Available at the State Level for a Local Health Department Health Dashboard Open Access
Allison, Amy E. (Fall 2017)
Abstract
Background: Local health departments (LHDs)are called to base decisions about programs and services on evidence. Such evidence comes in the form of published studies, reports, and white papers of effective practices, as well as data on health outcomes and factors associated with those outcomes. Massive amounts of data are generated that can inform decisions about programs and resources. LHDs often do not have the technical infrastructure, expertise, or connections with other agencies to effectively use this data. Faced with these challenges, LHD staff and leadership often do not have timely access to relevant and useable data needed to make decisions about funding and planning of services and programs.
Purpose: To propose a model for aggregating data collected by a Georgia health district with data from the state Department of Public Health for evaluation and planning of programs around one of the district’s health initiatives.
Methods: A semi-structured interview incorporating the Collaborative Requirements Development Method was conducted with staff involved in the processes around accessing data. Unstructured interviews were conducted of other staff at the health district, staff at the Georgia Department of Public Health, and with a data visualization consultant to gain information about the data, the infrastructure, and the challenges associated with data-sharing projects. A model solution was proposed.
Findings: A model solution was proposed in the setting of DeKalb County Board of Health and the Georgia Department of Public Health. The model includes a framework for determining project feasibility and inventorying technical assets, as well as a plan for implementation and evaluation.
Conclusion: Integrating data held by different organizations can be a feasible solution for local health departments to provide staff with timely access to metrics and other information related to a specific health outcome targeted by the department. Before embarking on a project, planning should include defining a clear purpose and goals for the project; inventorying data and technical assets; and identifying the external organization’s level of interest, policies, and infrastructure for sharing data.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction and Review of the Literature……………………………………………..1
Introduction and Rationale………………………………………………………………………...1
Literature Review………………………………………………………………………………….4
Problem Statement……………………………………………………………………………….16
Purpose and Significance of this Project…………………………………………………………16
Chapter 2: Methods………………………………………………………………………………18
Setting…………………………………………………………………………………………....18
Project Design……………………………………………………………………………………19
Procedures………………………………………………………………………………………..21
Chapter 3: Findings and Proposed Model………………………………………………………..22
Current Process…………………………………………………………………………………..22
Other Key Findings about the Process……………………………………………………………25
Findings from Individual Interviews……………………………………………………………..27
Proposed Solution………………………………………………………………………………..30
Requirements…………………………………………………………………………………….31
Model…………………………………………………………………………………………….34
Pre-Implementation Assessment and Planning…………………………………………………..35
Development……………………………………………………………………………………..41
Evaluation Plan…………………………………………………………………………………..41
Chapter 4: Discussion…………………………………………………………………………….42
Project Summary………………………………………………………………………………....42
Implications……………………………………………………………………………………....46
Limitations……………………………………………………………………………………….46
Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………..47
Chapter 5: Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………..49
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