Partnerships Development in Public Health Informatics

Public Health Informatics is defined as the systematic application of information technology and computer science to public health practice and research. Effective management of public health informatics requires more than making a technical determination of how information technology is to be applied to support an organization's mission. It also requires an understanding of constituents, both internal and external, which will be affected by a newly developed health informatics system.

Partnerships are collaborations in which organizations agree to work together for shared goals in a mutually beneficial way. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partners with state health departments to exchange information electronically through the Public Health Information Network (PHIN). PHIN is a national initiative to improve the capacity of public health to use and exchange information electronically by promoting the use of standards and defining technical requirements that support both routine public health activities and emergency preparedness and response. In order to deploy and maintain an effective public health informatics system the needs and attitudes of the stakeholders must be determined. Communication strategies can be used to inform and influence individual and community decisions that enhance adoption of public health informatics. This presentation will discuss a communication plan that utilizes multiple communication channels and methods to reach targeted audiences within PHIN. The PHIN Communication Plan seeks to describe the most efficient and effective communication channels to reach, motivate and maintain our partnerships and support both internally and externally.