HIFA Colleagues
We live in a world where many of us are struggling to keep up with fast-moving information (and to distinguish it from misinformation) and risk being swamped by a deluge of publications. So it can be good sometimes to take a breath and reflect on some seminal contributions from the past. One such that I happened to revisit recently is the WHO/UN Vision for Primary Care: Towards universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (published in 2018) see https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/primary-health/vision.pdf .
I was struck by how it has lost no relevance in the last 7 years – and how much of it chimes with HIFA aims; as shown by the extracts below:
“Individuals – as the people experiencing the impact of their health and as decision-makers – have a central role to play in co-creating their own health and well-being and in providing informal care to their peers and loved ones. “ (p21)
“the first thing that many people across the world do when faced with a health problem is to use their mobile phone to seek more information, from the Internet or another source of information that previously would not necessarily have been accessible. Even newer technologies, such as point of care diagnostics that can be used by health care workers as well as patients, artificial intelligence and low-cost genetic testing, are also starting to create new possibilities for self- care, the potential of which is only beginning to emerge. Measures will be needed to ensure equitable access as well as reliable information and support for the interpretation of complex information.“ (p21)
“Efforts to advance health and well-being are anchored in and informed by the community. People have access to the knowledge, skills and resources needed to care for themselves and their loved ones, making use of the full potential of information and communications technologies.“ (p23)
At a time when, in some quarters, national and international organisations that aim to protect and empower people with reliable and timely information about health and healthcare are under determined attack from the powers that be (until recently something quite inconceivable) it is good to be reminded, for example by publications such as the above, of the value of what they produce.
Best wishes
Geoff
HIFA profile: Geoff Royston is an Independent Health Analyst and Researcher, former Head of Strategic Analysis and Operational Research in the Department of Health for England, and Past President of the UK Operational Research Society. His work has focused on informing the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes in health and social care, and on fostering the capabilities of others to work in these areas. Associated activities have included modelling for understanding the performance of complex systems, analysis and communication of risk, and horizon scanning and futures thinking. He has also worked on information and communication technology in the health sector, notably in leading the design and national launch of the telephone and online health information and advice service NHS Direct. He has served on both scientific and medical UK Research Council panels, and as an impact assessor for the UK higher education Research Excellence Framework. He is a member of the editorial board for the journal Health Care Management Science and in 2012 was Guest Editor for its special issue on Global Health. He has been a consultant for the World Health Organisation, is a long standing member of the EURO Working Group on Operational Research Applied to Health Services, and is an expert adviser to the mHIFA (mobile Healthcare Information for All) programme. http://www.hifa.org/projects/mobile-hifa-mhifa He is also a member of the main HIFA Steering Group and the HIFA working group on Evaluating the Impact of Healthcare Information.
http://www.hifa.org/support/members/geoff
geoff.royston AT gmail.com