Data science integration in ICT – eHATID’s victory lap for a more efficient health information system
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have grown in the past decade and have proliferated in almost every aspect of life, integrating into even the most basic processes of everyday function. The usage of technology to further improve the quality of life at the individual and collective level can be seen through the optimization of algorithms that favor the preferences of users. All of these are done through the power of data science.
Data science is about “drawing useful conclusions from large and diverse data sets through exploration, prediction, and inference.” (Computational and Inferential Thinking, pg. 1). It involves studying and examining data for existing patterns to formulate a more structured and scientific-based decision. The inputs of the user provide context and data for the administrating body to analyze and act accordingly.
Now, here comes the eHATID technology, a tablet-based electronic medical record (EMR) system for local health information system support, adopts this structure by integrating its system onto the medical records of local government units (LGUs) and providing a more comprehensive, user-friendly, and organized system. In this way, the records can be accessed easily and the data can be evaluated and explored with more efficiency.
By using eHATID, a governing body may be able to see the deficiencies and may act against them faster. This will not only increase productivity but also the effectiveness of each decision made. Through analysis, the LGUs may be able to evaluate trends and counter them with appropriate proposals whenever given the chance.
With the funding from the TECHNICOM, a program of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI), the eHATID team was able to conduct training and deployment of their system in 2019 to better understand the needs of the regional health units (RHUs). Additionally, the eHATID team was able to glean insights on how RHUs prefer their data to be integrated, and, hence, plot appropriate business models for the technology to move forward.
The eHATID technology bridges the gap in the management of health information at the local level, providing RHUs with means to connect with healthcare providers and give assurance of improved services for the locality.
To know more about the TECHNICOM Program and its technologies that are available for transfer and commercialization, email the program at technicom@tapi.dost.gov.ph or tapitechnicom@gmail.com, or contact the DOST-TAPI at info@tapi.dost.gov.ph. You may also follow the TECHNICOM Program’s official Facebook Page, FB.com/TeKnowLohiya. (Elijah Espiritu, DOST-TAPI S&T Media Service)
