Conceptual Framework for Training in Public Health Informatics Both Domestically and Internationally

Existing and emerging health issues such as globalization, health disparities, and disasters are challenging 21st century public health in complex ways. The emergence of new, complex public health informatics concerns demands that the public health informatics field strengthen its capacity to respond. The World Health Organization Health Metrics Network (HMN), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its partners are vital to improving the global public health informatics infrastructure. Collaborative and transdisciplinary practice competencies are increasingly viewed as key components of public health informatics training. This exploratory effort develops a conceptual framework for domestic and international public health informatics training. HMN has developed a Health Management Information System (HMIS) Framework and Assessment Tool for country level HMIS development; more than 19 countries have conducted country level assessments. A review of these assessments notes the need for human resource capacity building in public health informatics. Findings suggest that there is increasing awareness regarding the need for training, deployment, and career development of human resources at all levels in order to achieve public health informatics goals. Investments from domestic and international sources are required as part of a major intervention in the area of public health informatics capacity building - activities to strengthen training, data collection, analysis, and utilization. Implications for public health informatics focus on how CDC and its partners can improve public health informatics trainings to promote transdisciplinary collaboration.