ABSTRACT
RESUMEN En el presente artículo se sistematizaron las principales acciones de transformación digital (TD) de los sistemas de salud que abordan a las funciones esenciales de la salud pública (FESP). Se realizó una revisión narrativa, donde se interrelacionó el marco conceptual de las funciones esenciales de la salud pública renovadas con los ocho principios rectores de la transformación digital del sector de la salud. En las publicaciones seleccionadas, se halló que las principales acciones de la TD comprenden la historia clínica electrónica, la telemedicina, la legislación en salud digital, la alfabetización digital, los portales del paciente, las tecnologías de código abierto y la gobernanza de datos. Estas acciones posibilitan aumentar la calidad y la eficiencia de los sistemas de salud, favorecer la accesibilidad y mejorar los resultados de salud.
ABSTRACT This article systematizes the main actions taken to address the essential public health functions (EPHF) in the context of the digital transformation of health systems. A narrative review was conducted, in which the conceptual framework of the renewed EPHF was linked to the eight guiding principles of the digital transformation of the health sector. In the selected publications, the main actions in digital transformation included electronic health records, telemedicine, digital health legislation, digital literacy, patient portals, open-source technologies, and data governance. These actions make it possible to increase the quality and efficiency of health systems, promote accessibility, and improve health outcomes.
RESUMO Este artigo sistematiza as principais ações de transformação digital (TD) dos sistemas de saúde relacionadas às funções essenciais de saúde pública (FESP). Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa, inter-relacionando o marco conceitual das FESP renovadas com base nos os oito princípios orientadores da transformação digital do setor da saúde. Nas publicações selecionadas, constatou-se que as principais ações de TD incluem prontuários eletrônicos, telemedicina, legislação de saúde digital, letramento digital, portais para pacientes, tecnologias de código aberto e governança de dados. Essas ações permitem aumentar a qualidade e a eficiência dos sistemas de saúde, aprimorar a acessibilidade e melhorar os resultados de saúde.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN En el presente artículo se utiliza una perspectiva de rectoría de la salud, con el fin de interpretar las fortalezas y los obstáculos relativos a las capacidades de las autoridades nacionales de salud para responder ante la pandemia de COVID-19, a través del marco renovado de las funciones esenciales de salud pública (FESP). Sobre la base de una revisión bibliográfica, se sostiene que las capacidades institucionales que necesitan los países de la Región de las Américas para responder ante la pandemia de COVID-19 incluyen las cuatro etapas del nuevo ciclo de políticas en las FESP: la evaluación, la formulación de políticas, la asignación de recursos y el acceso. Aunque las autoridades de salud proporcionaron las funciones esenciales (por ejemplo, análisis de datos, diálogos intersectoriales en materia de políticas y asignación de fondos adicionales), las intervenciones que se implementaron estuvieron sujetas a las estructuras institucionales de cada país. Las autoridades de salud tuvieron que hacer frente a desafíos considerables como la fragmentación y la falta de capacidades institucionales y de personal, lo que pone en peligro la ejecución de actividades de respuesta eficaces y equitativas. Además, la respuesta a la pandemia ha sido desigual debido a algunas debilidades en la capacidad central de liderazgo y coordinación, la politización de las actividades de respuesta y las diferencias en la capacidad de respuesta a nivel subnacional. Esos desafíos son el reflejo de deficiencias estructurales que ya existían antes de que comenzara la pandemia, así como de la asignación de una prioridad baja a la salud pública en la agenda para el fortalecimiento de los sistemas de salud. En las agendas que se elaboren en el futuro debe darse prioridad a mejorar los elementos estructurales, fortalecer las capacidades de rectoría de las autoridades de salud y crear estructuras institucionales que garanticen tanto el acceso universal a la atención de salud como la cobertura universal de salud.
RESUMEN This article uses a health stewardship perspective to interpret the strengths of and challenges to national health authorities' capacities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through the renewed essential public health functions (EPHF) framework. Based on a literature review, this article argues that the institutional capacities required by countries to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas included all four stages of the new EPHF policy cycle: assessment, policy development, allocation of resources and access. While health authorities provided these key functions (e.g. data analysis, intersectoral policy dialogues, allocation of additional funds), the interventions implemented depended on each 'country's own institutional structures. Health authorities faced significant challenges including fragmentation and the lack of institutional and personnel capacities, thus compromising the delivery of an effective and equitable response. In addition, the response to the pandemic has been uneven due to weaknesses in central leadership and coordination capacity, the politicization of the response and differences in the capacity to respond at subnational levels. Such challenges reflect structural weaknesses that existed prior to the onset of the pandemic, as well as the low prioritization of public health in agendas for health systems strengthening. A future agenda should prioritize improving structural elements while strengthening the stewardship capacities of health authorities and developing institutional structures that guarantee access to and universal coverage of health care.
RESUMO Este artigo utiliza uma perspectiva de gestão de saúde para interpretar os pontos fortes e os desafios das capacidades das autoridades nacionais de saúde na resposta à pandemia de COVID-19, por meio da estrutura renovada das funções essenciais de saúde pública (FESP). Com base em uma revisão da literatura, este artigo argumenta que as capacidades institucionais requeridas pelos países para responder à pandemia de COVID-19 nas Américas incluíram todas as quatro etapas do novo ciclo de políticas das FESP: avaliação, formulação de políticas, alocação de recursos e acesso. Embora as autoridades de saúde tenham fornecido essas funções essenciais (por exemplo, análise de dados, diálogos intersetoriais de política, alocação de fundos adicionais), as intervenções implementadas dependiam das próprias estruturas institucionais de cada país. As autoridades de saúde enfrentaram desafios significativos, incluindo a fragmentação e a falta de capacidades institucionais e de pessoal, comprometendo, assim, uma resposta eficaz e equitativa. Além disso, a resposta à pandemia tem sido desigual em decorrência de pontos fracos na liderança central e na capacidade de coordenação, da politização da resposta e de diferenças na capacidade de resposta nos níveis subnacionais. Tais desafios refletem as fragilidades estruturais que existiam antes do início da pandemia, bem como a baixa priorização da saúde pública nas agendas para o fortalecimento dos sistemas de saúde. Uma agenda futura deve priorizar a melhoria dos elementos estruturais, ao mesmo tempo em que fortalece as capacidades de gestão das autoridades de saúde e desenvolve estruturas institucionais que garantam o acesso à saúde e a cobertura universal de saúde.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Around 80% of factors that determine population health sit outside the control of health services. It is essential we influence these factors in addition to those within the remit of health services in order to improve and protect the health of population in a developing country. Public health functions encompass working across the domains that constitute population health systems with various partners. The objective of this article is to give an overview of public health interventions that can improve the health of the population of a developing nation. Method: A descriptive study, based on a review of the literature of key public health frameworks and interventions that are likely to have significant impacts on population health. Some selected public health interventions and case studies are highlighted to illustrate the importance of priority areas in developing countries. Results: Various public health frameworks recognise the importance of wider determinants of health (socio-economic factors), effective healthcare, healthy behaviours, working with communities as critical to securing population health. Another framework adopts a life-course model of intervention starting from public health interventions during preconception period and childhood, adolescence, working life and older age. For many developing countries, the author identified some examples of priority areas for interventions such as stopping and preventing wars; improving child health, including free school meals; achieving universal healthcare through integrated primary health care; addressing commercial determinants of health; embracing new technologies; and measuring and monitoring population health. Conclusion: In order to improve the health of a population in a developing country, attention needs to go beyond health services to influence the wider determinants of health, health behaviours and adopting the World Health Organisation's roadmap on essential public health functions.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Primary Health Care , Social Change , Population Health Management , Universal Health Care , Health Services , Health Services Needs and Demand , Public Health , Developing CountriesABSTRACT
Desde 1982 hasta 2017, el CIESUNAN Managua ha entregado a la Región Meso Americana um aproximado de 1532 Profesionales Graduados de Posgrado, donde el 64% son mujeres, y el resto varones. 930 son nicaragüenses (60.7%), y el resto son graduados de otros países de la Región Mesoamericana. Estos Graduados han aprobado uno o más de los cinco programas de Maestrías (Administración de la Salud y Epidemiología desde 1982, Salud Pública desde 1990, Economía de la Salud desde 2005 y Salud Ocupacional desde 2010). En el 2015 es abierto el Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud. La Gestión Institucional basada en la Extensión Universitaria y la Internacionalización se constituyen en las bases imprescindibles de la Formación de Recursos Humanos en ambientes complejos y a veces hasta conflictivos. Es posible identificar diferentes momentos o kayros en los 35 años del CIES, y deducir las lecciones aprendidas en este proceso, condición necesaria para comprender y emprender los retos del futuro de la Educación de Posgrado en Salud Pública en función del impacto tecnológico y epistemológico que caracteriza a la determinación social de la Salud y la necesaria Intersectorialidad a construir en el marco de la Iniciativa Salud en Todas las Políticas y de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenibles. Se exploran los diferentes períodos (kayros) de desarrollo y las lecciones aprendidas en cada uno de ellos, especialmente en los aspectos relacionados con la internacionalización de estos procesos, las relaciones establecidas con los actores surgidos y los espacios abiertos en estos processos.
From 1982 to 2017, CIESUNAN Managua has delivered to the Mesoamerican Region approximately 1532 Graduate Graduates, where 64% are women. Among those graduates, 930 are Nicaraguans (60.7%), and the rest are graduates coming from other countries of the Mesoamerican Region. These Graduates have approved one or more of the five Master's programs (Health Administration and Epidemiology since 1982, Public Health since 1990, Health Economics since 2005 and Occupational Health since 2010). In 2015 the Doctorate Program in Health Sciences is opened. Institutional Management based on University Extensionand Internationalization constitute the essential bases of Human Resource Training in complex and sometimes even conflicting environments. It is possible to identify different moments or kayros in the 35 years of the CIES, and to deduce the lessons learned in this process, a necessary condition to understand and undertake the future challenges of Postgraduate Education in Public Health according to the technological and epistemological impact that characterizes to the social determination of Health and the necessary intersectorality to be built within the framework of the Health Initiative in All Policies and the Sustainable Development Goals. It explores the different development periods and lessons learned in each one of them, especially in the aspects related to the internationalization of these processes, the established relationships with the actors that have emerged and the open spaces in these processes
ABSTRACT
Resumen Introducción En el Ejército y Fuerza Aérea Mexicanos (FAM) no hay estudios sobre las competencias del personal profesional que se dedica a la salud pública. Objetivo Determinar si el egresado de la Escuela Militar de Oficiales de Sanidad (EMOS) posee las competencias para realizar las FESP. Material y métodos Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico. Se determinó si los egresados de la EMOS poseían las competencias necesarias para desempeñar las FESP. Se estableció la diferencia estadística entre el grupo que sí las poseía y los que no (t de Student). La comparación de diferencia estadística entre la Licenciatura en Salud Pública y Urgencias Médicas versus Maestría y Curso Técnico Especializado se realizó con una Z de proporciones. Resultados El 53.52% de los egresados de la EMOS poseían las competencias profesionales para la realización de las FESP, con diferencia estadística entre los que las poseen y los que no (t de Student 0.015). Sí existe diferencia estadística entre la Maestría versus la Licenciatura en Salud Pública (z = -2.9226); no se encontró diferencia versus el Curso Técnico Especializado en Salud Pública (z = 0.01116). Conclusiones Los egresados de la EMOS no poseen las competencias para realizar las FESP.
Abstract Introduction In the Mexican Army and Air Force (FAM) there are no studies on the competences of professional personnel dedicated to public health. Objectives To determine if the graduates of the Military School of Health Officials (EMOS) have the competences to carry out the essential public health functions (EPHF). Material and methods Observational, transversal and analytical study. It was determined if the personnel graduated from the EMOS possessed the necessary competences to perform the EPHF. The statistical difference was established between the group that did possess them and those that did not (Student's t test). The comparison of statistical difference between the degree in Public Health and Medical Emergencies versus the Master's and Specialized Technical Course was made with a Z of proportions. Results 53.52% of the graduates of the EMOS had the professional competences for the realization of the EPHF, existing statistical difference between those who possessed them and those who did not (t Student 0.015). There was a statistical difference between the Master's degree and the Degree in Public Health (z = -2.9226); there was no difference versus the Specialized Technical Course in Public Health (z = 0.01116). Conclusions Graduates of the EMOS do not have the competences to carry out the EPHF.
ABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Caracterizar la capacidad para el desempeño de las funciones esenciales de la salud pública (FESP) de las instituciones públicas y privadas en países de Mesoamérica, los estados mexicanos de Chiapas y Quintana Roo y la República Dominicana. MÉTODOS: Se aplicó una encuesta en línea a 83 organizaciones de Belice, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá, la República Dominicana y los estados mexicanos de Chiapas y Quintana Roo sobre la capacidad de cumplir cada una de las 11 FESP. Los resultados se validaron en un taller con representantes de los ministerios de salud de los siete países y los dos estados mexicanos participantes. RESULTADOS: La mayor capacidad para el desempeño se identificó en la FESP 1 (monitoreo, evaluación y análisis del estado de salud de la población), la FESP 2.1.1 (vigilancia, investigación y control de riesgos y amenazas a la salud pública para enfermedades infecciosas) y la FESP 5 (desarrollo de políticas y planificación en salud). La mayor debilidad se encontró en la FESP 2.1.2 (vigilancia, investigación y monitoreo de las enfermedades no infecciosas). Las asimetrías en el desempeño de las FESP al interior de cada país indican debilidades en las funciones de los laboratorios y de la investigación en salud pública. CONCLUSIONES: Se requiere mejorar el desempeño estratégico en la mayor parte de las FESP en los países y territorios analizados y reforzar la infraestructura, el equipamiento y los recursos humanos, tanto a nivel estratégico como táctico. Se debe aplicar un enfoque regional para aprovechar la capacidad diferencial con vistas al fortalecimiento y el apoyo técnico cooperativo.
OBJECTIVE: Characterize the capacity of public and private institutions in the Central American countries, the Dominican Republic, and the Mexican states of Chiapas and Quintana Roo to perform essential public health functions (EPHFs). METHODS: An online survey of 83 organizations in Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Mexican states of Chiapas and Quintana Roo was conducted to learn about their capacity to perform each of the 11 EPHFs. The results were validated in a workshop with representatives of the ministries of health from the seven countries and the two participating Mexican states. RESULTS: High levels of performance capacity were found most often for EPHF 1 (monitoring, evaluation, and analysis of health status of the population), EPHF 2.1.1 (surveillance, research, and control of risks and threats to public health from infectious diseases), and EPHF 5 (policy development and health planning). The greatest weakness was found in EPHF 2.1.2 (surveillance, research, and monitoring of noninfectious diseases). Asymmetries in EPHF performance within each country mainly revealed weaknesses in the laboratory and public health research functions. CONCLUSIONS: In the countries and territories analyzed, there is a need to improve strategic performance in most of the EPHFs, as well as to strengthen infrastructure, upgrade equipment, and further develop human resources at both the strategic and the tactical levels. A regional approach should be used to take advantage of the different levels of capacity, with a view to greater strengthening and enhanced technical support and cooperation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Public Health Administration/standards , Central America , Dominican Republic , MexicoABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: medir el desempeño de las Funciones Esenciales en Salud Pública (FESP) en tres municipios que corresponden a la zona Penderisco del suroeste antioqueño (Concordia, Betulia y Salgar) en 2011. METODOLOGIA: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en los tres municipios. Se adaptó el instrumento de medición de las FESP en el ámbito nacional, elaborado por la OPS para aplicarlo localmente, se ajustó a las competencias y campos de acción de las autoridades municipales, se suprimieron preguntas no pertinentes para el nivel y se recalcularon las fórmulas que generaban el puntaje y los indicadores. El instrumento se aplicó a un grupo de expertos en cada municipio. RESULTADOS:en la zona Penderisco, se encontraron tres funciones FESP1, FESP2 y FESP4 con desempeño óptimo. Las FESP3, FESP5, FESP6, FESP7, FESP8, FESP9 y FESP11 con desempeño medio superior y la FESP10 un desempeño mínimo. Dos indicadores de desarrollo de capacidades e infraestructura para la salud pública, fueron clasificados como debilidades, coincidente en los tres municipios: conocimientos, habilidades y mecanismos para revisar, perfeccionar y hacer cumplir el marco regulatorio y el desarrollo de la capacidad institucional de investigación. CONCLUSIONES: a pesar de los esfuerzos realizados por los países para mejorar el desempeño de las FESP, el desarrollo es incipiente con algunas excepciones, este mismo esquema se refleja en los municipios estudiados. Pocas funciones están clasificadas en desempeño óptimo y como fortalezas. El desarrollo de capacidades e infraestructura para soportar el desarrollo de las FESP es débil.
OBJETIVE: to measure the performance of the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) in three municipalities from the Penderisco area of Southwestern Antioquia (a zone encompassing three municipalities: Betulia, Concordia, and Salgar) in 2011. METHODOLOGY: we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in three municipalities. To this end, we adapted the instrument for measuring EPHF for use in Colombia. The instrument was developed by the paho, and we implemented its adapted version locally. The instrument was adjusted to the skills and fields of action of the municipal authorities, the questions that were not relevant for the local context were removed, and the formulas for generating scores and indicators were re-calculated. The instrument was applied to a group of experts in each municipality. RESULTS: in the Penderisco zone, three functions had optimal performance: EPHF1, EPHF4, EPHF2. Additionally, the functions labeled EPHF3, EPHF5, EPHF6, EPHF7, EPHF8, EPHF9, and EPHF11 had above average performance. EPHF10, in turn, showed minimum performance. Two indicators of development of capacity and infrastructure for public health were classified as weaknesses, namely: knowledge, skills, and mechanisms to review, refine and enforce the regulatory framework and development of institutional research capacity. This is consistent in the three municipalities. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the efforts made by countries to improve the performance of the essential public health functions, development is still budding; the same scenario is seen in the studied municipalities. Few functions had optimal performance and were considered strengths and capacity development and the infrastructure for supporting the development of essential public health functions are weak.
Subject(s)
Task Performance and Analysis , Essential Public Health Functions , Public HealthABSTRACT
The current influenza A H1N1 epidemic has demonstrated once again the importance of being able to count on robust, coordinated, and comprehensive public health systems. Countries that do rely on such health systems have proven to recognize, diagnose, and treat influenza in a timely manner, and to provide the public with the education needed to minimize the number of deaths and acute cases. The International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) recommends that all countries begin to coordinate their national public health efforts. IANPHI offers its support and guidance to all who would create or strengthen their national public health institutes. By strengthening national public health systems, the ability to collaborate and the security of all countries is heightened. These institutions exist for the public good, and any improvements made to them are also a contribution toward better health for the population.