Enhancing communication in the 21st century.

Quality communication is a critical component in all aspects of public health and clinical care. The quality of the process of communication between the patient/family and the physician affects the quality of the patient/family-physician relationship, patient behavior, and health outcomes. Advances in communication and information technologies can enhance the quality of communication, not only between patients/families and their physicians but also between clinicians and public health professionals. Communication and integration between the domains of personal health and public health have the potential to improve the delivery of health care and public health services and to yield the desired seamless continuum of health care. This article discusses some of the advances and efforts in the use of information technology to facilitate enhanced communication for quality health care.

Integrating child health information systems.

The Health Resources and Services Administration and All Kids Count (a national technical assistance center fostering development of integrated child health information systems) have been working together to foster development of integrated child health information systems. Activities have included: identification of key elements for successful integration of systems; development of principles and core functions for the systems; a survey of state and local integration efforts; and a conference to develop a common vision for child health information systems to meet medical care and public health needs. We provide 1 state (Utah) as an example that is well on the way to development of integrated child health information systems.

Evolution of a child health profile initiative.

While information technology has proliferated and advanced dramatically in the last 10 years, the application of information technology to health care policy and delivery has not been well coordinated either among public health agencies or between the public and private health sectors. In 1998, the Genetic Services Branch, Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA/MCHB) began an initiative to help facilitate assessment and prompt provision of appropriate services to improve the health of children. Twenty-five state public health programs received grants to improve integration of newborn screening and genetic services systems with other maternal and child health systems. All Kids Count--a program of the Public Health Informatics Institute--completed a qualitative assessment of state programs that were funded to develop plans for integration. The results are being translated into a business/policy case addressing the need for integration, a description of essential functions that such systems support, ultimately system requirements, and measures for evaluation. HRSA/MCHB's partnership with All Kids Count continues with a project to develop a community of practice to assist programs in moving their integrated child health information systems forward.