1998 PHHA Program
At the annual MLA conference in Philadelphia, PHHA and the Medical Informatics sections cosponsored
a program which sought to explore the ways in which electronic information technologies impact the
status of public health, especially how they transform our conception of public health, and how
health organizations will use such technologies to reach greater constituencies.
Public Health Informatics: Connections Between Public Health and Health Care Systems
May 24, 1998
Session abstracts:
The Public Health Information Connection: From Needs Assessment to Virtual Library
James A. Curtis, Associate Director; Lynn Eades, Education Librarian; Barrie Hayes, UNCLE
Electronic Services Librarian; Diane McKenzie, Collection Development Librarian; Health Sciences
Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Needs assessment, through a structured interview technique, was conducted with public health
department employees in several counties. Matching information needs with resources available
on the Internet and through the Health Sciences Library, a dynamic web presentation was developed
that links public health departments with the information resources they want. Public health
workers became full users of the web resources used on campus, all licensed databases and full-text
collections, selected WWW sites, and at least one locally produced statistical resource. HSL
librarians began to select and present materials in a web interface designed specifically for
public health professionals. “Hot” buttons on the web site link to current synthesized information
of public health interest in addition to traditional bibliographic information. Instruction in
the use of the materials is delivered through interactive teleconferencing in conjunction with
the School of Public Health and the state Department of Public Health. An evaluation of the
prototype presentation will seek information on the usefulness of the selected resources and
lead to design improvements.
Collection and Dissemination of Public Health Information: A Multi-Level Strategic Partnership
Donna O'Malley[1], Julie McGowan[1], Peter Galbraith[2], Dana Medical Library, University of
Vermont[1], Vermont Department of Health[2]
In 1994, the first comprehensive state-wide health information network (JAMA March, 1995) was
inaugurated. Concomitantly, the need to disseminate public health information rapidly across a
very rural state became apparent. To facilitate this, a strategic partnership was begun between
the Dana Medical Library and the state Health Department. A targeted needs assessment of rural health
providers was done, followed by informal surveys. A plan was developed to use technology to
meet the identified information needs of rural health care providers while disseminating public
health information concurrently through e-mail discussion lists, bulletin boards, and other
telecommunication tools. In addition, the intranet served as a vehicle to collect epidemiologic
information through forms-based e-mail. Projects introduced through this early partnership
included a dissemination of influenza information, rabies tracking, and state lab results.
Knowledge-based information was requested from rural health care providers, using an electronic
library form. In small states, collaboration and partnerships are key to facilitating access to
needed health information; new definitions of roles and responsibilities can help libraries
support public health efforts in non-traditional ways.
1999 Program Information
Updated: 29 December 1999
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