Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
systems up and down the health system organizational structure is
greater than 10 days, normally about 30 days.
Therefore, the needs for user requirements are to
1. Design a system to detect all adverse events (including communica-
ble diseases); thus, collect all patient health information for analysis
in a timely manner (WHO Regional Office of Asia 2004).
2. Design a system that can directly communicate health information
from the first point of healthcare to the key decision makers at cen-
tral levels with provision for the same information to be accessed
by all actors at the in-between stages in the health organizational
structure to execute the required protocols.
First, we introduce the key actors, their roles, and the functionality required
for the purpose of data collection, analysis, and reporting. Secondly we
introduce the minimal set of attributes required to attain the system require-
ments for collection of health data, analysis, and reporting.
13.5.1 Functions, actors, and roles of rTbP
In general, the users are the healthcare workers, government or nongovern-
mental (or even private). Although the names (titles) assigned to the healthcare
workers for the purpose of disease surveillance and notification is different
between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, the roles and responsibilities are quite
similar. Table 13.1 describes the set of functions, actors (participants), and
their roles and responsibilities, and similarities of the participants in the
two countries. The columns labeled “Expected” under both Sri Lankan and
Indian participants are the healthcare workers entrusted to carry out the pre-
scribed function (protocols) and would be the resource person expected to
carry out the respective functions, namely, the government health officials.
The column labeled “Actual” indicates the resource person who will be actu-
ally carrying out the respective function for the purpose of the pilot project.
Thus, when developing the system the designers kept in mind the broader
perspective and audience that would use the system.
There are anticipated problems that may require more than technology. In Sri
La n k a, Suwada na Cent re Volu nteers w i l l be tak i ng on t he role of data ent r y oper-
ators for the purpose of the study. However, the Suwadana Centre Volunteers
don't have the same level of training as the certified health workers (such as
Public Health Inspectors or nurses). Health workers, besides Medical Officers,
undergo 3-4 years of training in relevant healthcare matters associated with
their work. Although all forms carry all three local languages, the Sri Lankan
healthcare system functions in English. The Suwadana Centre Volunteers will
not have the same level of English language competency as the health workers.
