79th IFLA general conference and assembly, Singapore

Maitrayee Ghosh

Health literacy for all-- an investigation into consortia and partnership amongst libraries to promote health care information in India

79th IFLA general conference and assembly, Singapore

Defining Health literacyHealth literacy is the capacity to make sound health decisions in the context of everyday life--at home, in the community, at work place and in case of emergency.A working definition of health information literary is "the set of abilities needed to: recognize a health information need; identify information sources and use them to retrieve relevant information; assess the quality of the information and its applicability to a specific situation; analyse, understand, and use the information to make good health decisions" (MLA Net, 2003)

Current research suggests public health in India may be better improved by reducing illiteracy rather than raising average income.(source: Social

science and medicine)

Information literacy is…“knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner”.

79th IFLA general conference and assembly, Singapore

Consumer health information (CHI) means information on health and medical topics provided in response to requests from the general public, including patients and their families… information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of disease, health promotion, preventive medicine, the determinants of health and accessing the health care system.

‘Information Therapy’ refers to prescription-strength information, tailor to the patient’s need. It can be clinician prescribed or system prescribed to help the patient make better decision. ”Information Therapy increases the patient’s ownership and helps the patient to explore alternatives by empowering them to choose appropriate care and set realistic goals. The doctor-patient relationship becomes more open & partnership based and shared decision-making can be achieved” (Malpani,2011)

HEALTH INFORMATICS- MULTIDISCIPLINARY IN NATURE

Health Informatics

Statistical

analysis

Information

Science

Computer

Science

Medicine

Biology

Psychology

‘Health Grid’ is an environment that allows sharing of online resources-- the heterogeneous & dispersed health data can be accessed by users as per their level of authorization. Information security and management of private data represent some of the biggest obstacles to adoption of grid technology. CDAC, India is working in this area & Corporate sector hospitals have managed their operations through these state-of–the- -art tools.

Recommendation of National Knowledge Commission and Health informatics projects in India

Medical College hospital computerization Digitization of health directories Establishment of Health management Information System Digital programmable hearing aid

Initiate Indian Health Information Development (I-HIND) web based network connecting all health care establishment in private and public sector.

Develop national standard for clinical terminology and health Informatics

Create a common electronic health record Create appropriate policy framework to protect health data of

citizens and institutional framework for implementation.

primary

• Public Health Centres• Village Hospitals

Secondary

• Districts Health centres

Tertiary

• Nursing homes/private hospitals

• Corporate hospitals

Three Level Health Care system in India

State Central Libraries 28

Divisional and District 451

Sub-divisional / Taluka Tehsil Libraries 501

Town & Rural Lib 30134

Nehru Yuvak Kendras 272

Jawahar Bal Bhavans 49

Others 128

Total 31563

Public Library System in India

The public libraries must take interest in customizing information for unprivileged community interested in quality health information. Additionally they will:

•Promote the principle of free, open access to health information

•Support and encourage the provision of high quality services to users .

•Act as a forum and focus for the dissemination of research in health information.

•Provide support and training opportunities to local community

PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES TO BRIDGE HEALTH CARE DIVIDE

Reference library in Health care-HELPVillage ResourceCentreHealth Science Library and Information Network

Health care initiatives in India

Tele Doc Project in Haryana India pilot projectPRAGATI project

Knowledge enabled Cancer-Net Kerala

National Rural Health Mission 2005-2012

Integrated Hospital Information System I-HIND

Indian Association for Medical Informatics (IAMI)ICMR e-consortiaIT for health in India (ITIH), NHIC, SHIC HEALTHSAT, CGHSMother & Child Tracking system(MCTS)

Projects and Initiatives by CDAC

Hospital Information System-efficient and effective management of hospital activities (‘E-Sushrut’)

Decision Support System(‘Ayusoft’- decision support for Ayurveda)

Medical Informatics Standards Health Grids Tele Medicine (Mercury, ‘Sanjeevani’) Digital Programable hearing aid

Health Informati

on

Public Librarian

Academic Librarian

Medical Librarian

Patient Informati

on Centre

Librarian

Health information dissemination and emerging roles for librarians

Provide Information in local language about Facility, procedure, technical information about ailment.

Tailor made information in accordance with patient need

Organization and management of heterogeneous & dispersed health data, develop strategies to work with other academics

Management of Hospital Information System, Create common Electronic Health record

HELP Library: Health Care Information delivery in Mumbai

Observation and Recommendations

In India Social conditions are the major influences of health and illness; although there are centre of excellence in health care delivery but inadequate to meet health care demand. The emergence of food and water borne diseases in addition to HIV/AIDS created special need for people in health care Information, as awareness could improve the dialogue between patient and health care professional which might bring better treatment.

There are three type of Health Literacy: Functional, Interactive and critical. Librarians’ role in functional and interactive health literacy may include traditional jobs viz. selector/aggregator and less traditional jobs are Referral, broker, advocate, IT consultant etc.

Health librarians have the potential to put knowledge management into practice, exchange expertise and collaborate with health Agencies. Develop online health communities and AIIMS like Institutes will be the priority for India.

Collaborative dialogue to generate deeper collective awareness and community driven action. Consortia among multi-type organizations can be established viz. public libraries/information centres, voluntary health organizations, NGO’s and potential health information providers for successful collaboration and to reach a very broad public through new technologies.

Closer relationship between health librarian and Social workers/NGOs is essential.

Wellness program for lifestyle diseases and use of satellite based TV Channel to enhance health literacy.

Concluding remarks:

‘Health Literacy’ as a major health investment and health development strategy needs long term commitment, strong partnerships and powerful spokespersons. There is a growing movement within India to establish health grid that connects medical institutions and practitioners throughout the country. This would allow super specialists to exchange case studies, compare experiences, and organize virtual conferences to discuss critical disease patterns and provide treatment. Distance education through virtual class room mode to fulfill patients’ information need and provide access to digital repository of health resources will be appropriate to overcome this crisis.

Thank You!