Health administration, analysis, information & management | Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Types of Communication for health education

Communication goes beyond simply sharing information; it is an integral aspect of our regular interactions with others. Our capacity to impact others is contingent on our proficiency in communication skills, encompassing speaking, writing, listening, reading, and reasoning.

Types of communication

Evaluation of health services 

An evaluation study addresses following issues/Questions raised/concerns

• Quality of health care
• Utilization and coverage of health services
• Benefits to community health in terms of morbidity and mortality reduction
• Improvement in health status of the recipients of care

Elements of evaluation of health services

General steps of evaluation of health services

Health planning and Management

Management methods and techniques

Network Analysis

Quantitative Approach in Health Management

• Network analysis is a quantitative method employed in health management.
• A network serves as a visual representation of all events and activities necessary to achieve a specific end goal.
• It instills greater discipline in the planning process.

Types of Network Techniques

• PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique):
  • A management technique enabling detailed planning and comprehensive supervision.
  • Involves constructing an arrow diagram representing the logical sequence of events.
  • Identifies critical tasks and calculates the required time for each task completion.
  • Uses:
    • Establishes a robust foundation for developing evaluation and checking systems.
    • Facilitates planning, scheduling, and project monitoring.
    • Enhances communication across different management levels.
    • Identifies potential problems and provides timely progress reports.
    • Minimizes delays or crises in plan implementation.
• CPM (Critical Path Method):
  • Identifies the longest path in the network as the critical path.
  • Delays in any activity along the critical path result in delays for the entire project.

Health Information

Definition: A mechanism for the collection, processing, analysis and transmission of information required for organizing and operating health services, and also for reseaicri and training.

Data vs Information

Requirements for a health information system

• Population-Based: The system should be designed to cater to the entire population.
• Avoid Unnecessary Data Agglomeration: The system should refrain from unnecessary accumulation of data.
• Problem-Oriented: The system should focus on addressing specific health-related issues.
• Use Functional and Operational Terms: Employ functional and operational terms such as episodes of illness, treatment regimens, and laboratory tests.
• Express Information Concisely and Creatively: Present information briefly and imaginatively using tools like tables, charts, and percentages.
• Include Feedback Mechanism: Ensure that the system allows for the feedback of data.

Components of a health information system

• Demography and Vital Events: Gathering data on population characteristics and significant life events.
• Environmental Health Statistics: Collecting information related to environmental factors affecting health.
• Health Status: Involving statistics on mortality, morbidity, disability, and quality of life.
• Health Resources: Providing data on health facilities, bed capacity, and manpower.
• Utilization and Non-Utilization of Health Services: Tracking attendance, admissions, and waiting lists to understand the utilization patterns.
• Indices of Outcome of Medical Care: Assessing and measuring the effectiveness of medical care provided.
• Financial Statistics: Including cost and expenditure information pertinent to the specific health objectives.

Uses of health information

• Health Status Measurement: Utilized to assess the health status of populations, quantifying health problems, and identifying medical and healthcare needs.
• Local, National, and International Comparisons: Facilitates comparisons of health status at local, national, and international levels. Rigorous standardization and quality control are essential for accurate comparisons.
• Planning, Administration, and Effective Management: Essential for planning, administering, and effectively managing health services and programs.
• Assessment of Service Objectives: Used to evaluate whether health services are achieving their objectives in terms of effectiveness and efficiency.
• Evaluation of Beneficiary Satisfaction: A tool for assessing the attitudes and satisfaction levels of beneficiaries with the health system.
• Research into Health Problems: Supports research initiatives aimed at investigating specific health and disease-related problems.

Sources of health information

Health administration, analysis, information & management-Repeat

Q1: What do you understand by Evaluation of Health Services? Describe the elements of an Evaluation Study and discuss the general steps involved. (2010)

Q2: What are the components and uses of Health Information System? Enumerate briefly the different sources of health information. (2016) 

Q3: Components and uses of Health Information System (1998) 

Q4: What is meant by Network Analysis? Write in brief about Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). What are the uses of PERT? (2016)

Q5: What do you understand by Evaluation of Health Services? Describe the elements of an Evaluation Study and discuss the general steps involved. (2010)