Enlisting government workers in digital transformation and policy-making for the adoption of digital health

Presentation Time: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Abstract Keywords: Education and Training, Interoperability and Health Information Exchange, Workflow, Standards, Telemedicine
Primary Track: Policy
Programmatic Theme: Academic Informatics / LIEAF

Like many nations, Armenia faces challenges in digitizing health data. The Ministry of Health spearheads this effort, necessitating legislative changes and staff engagement. Last year, a fellowship and three-day course, in collaboration with the "Avetis" Health Informatics program, introduced pioneering digital health training in LMICs. Utilizing a train-the-trainer method, employees successfully imparted digitisation knowledge. Due to positive outcomes and employee interest, an additional 50 participants from various Health Ministry units underwent a four-day course, focusing on digital information flow transformation. Groups diligently mapped and developed business process digitalization architecture, forming the basis for legal act amendments. Results included the conversion of national statistical reporting forms at the Republic of Armenia National Institute of Health into digital formats, enhancing statistical insights. Participants also grouped standards to minimise specialist errors and described data usage standards crucial for ongoing healthcare digitisation efforts.
Accurate digital data are crucial for effective management, underscoring the MoH's commitment to digital transformation.
The idea and outcomes of the course made it clear that educating the employees and equipping them with the required knowledge and skills would strengthen and hone the team, saving funds and time and creating a shared vision for the workplace. This time the idea was digital transformation in healthcare.

Speaker(s):
Armine Lulejian, EdD, MPH, CHES
USC, Keck School of Medicine

Author(s):
Tsaghkanush Sargsyan, MS; Armine Lulejian; Artak Dzhumayan, MD - Ministry of Health of Republic of Armenia;

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Vital Signs Data into Project NeLL for Nursing Education in Data Science

Presentation Time: 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Abstract Keywords: Education and Training, Nursing Informatics, Information Visualization
Primary Track: Applications
Programmatic Theme: Academic Informatics / LIEAF

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, integrating data science into nursing education is paramount. Project NeLL (Nurse’s Electronic Learning Laboratory) addresses this need by incorporating vital signs information into its suite of applications, enhancing education in data science for nursing students. This effort involved categorizing vital signs, utilizing regex and algorithms for data extraction, and meticulously organizing the data around unique patient encounters. Our methodology ensured a precise reflection of recorded vital signs, enriching the Project NeLL database with high-quality, comprehensive data.
The result of this integration is the processing of 39,718,223 vital signs records from over a decade, covering 660,670 patients and 5,832,494 encounters. This dataset, supported by a detailed data dictionary, includes diverse metrics such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature, among others. Preliminary analysis confirms the accuracy and completeness of the data, providing a robust educational tool that simulates real-world clinical scenarios.
The inclusion of vital signs data in Project NeLL marks a significant advancement in nursing education, offering a holistic view of patient health, and enhancing students' analytical skills. Despite challenges such as data variation and inconsistency, ongoing efforts aim to refine extraction algorithms and validation processes. This initiative not only prepares students for the data-centric future of healthcare but also bridges the gap between nursing education and data science, empowering future nurses with essential data-driven decision-making skills.

Speaker(s):
Ramya Govindarajan, Director
Emory University

Author(s):
Evan Smith, BS - Emory University;

Interventions to mitigate EHR and documentation burden in health professions trainees: A scoping review

Presentation Time: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Abstract Keywords: Documentation Burden, Workflow, Education and Training, Usability
Primary Track: Foundations
Programmatic Theme: Academic Informatics / LIEAF

Health professions (HP) trainees are in a unique position as they learn a chosen field while working within an electronic health record (EHR). EHR or documentation burden (EHR burden) affects trainees directly, although not all trainees have the same EHR access during training as they will after completing training. Efforts to mitigate EHR burden have been described for experienced HP, but less is understood for trainees.

Methods: We performed a scoping review to identify studies that measure trainee experience of interventions to mitigate EHR burden, applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extensions for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidance, searching for scholarly and peer-reviewed sources. We then conducted a concept clarification, which can be used to modify an existing model or framework, cross-walking the scoping review corpus to a published workflow elements model, identifying intervenable points in trainee workflow.

Results: Our 4-database search yielded 820 records. We identified a corpus of 11 articles examining interventions to mitigate EHR burden and measuring the trainee experience. Interventions had varying effects on EHR burden, and trainee experience was most commonly measured through surveys and less commonly direct observation. We categorized interventions and then adapted the workflow model to the trainee EHR use workflow with 5 domain expert co-authors.

Conclusion: The model developed offers a starting place to consider points of intervention in the trainee workflow to mitigate EHR burden. Further research is needed to consider new interventions at various stages of the HP trainee workflow, in a range of clinical settings.

Speaker(s):
Deborah Levy, MD, MPH
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA-Connecticut Healthcare System / Yale School of Medicine

Author(s):
Sarah Rossetti, RN, PhD - Columbia University Department of Biomedical Informatics; Edward Melnick, MD - Yale University, School of Medicine; Cynthia Brandt, MD, MPH - Yale University, School of Medicine; Andrew Hamilton, MS/MLS - Oregon Health and Science University; Seppo Rinne, MD, PhD - VA Bedford Healthcare System; Dana Womack, PhD, RN, FAMIA - Oregon Health & Science University; Vishnu Mohan, MD, MBI, FACP, FAMIA - Oregon Health & Science University;

Ontology-based modeling, integration, and analysis of heterogeneous clinical, pathological, and molecular kidney data for precision medicine

Presentation Time: 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Abstract Keywords: Data Standards, Precision Medicine, Biomarkers, Data Mining, Bioinformatics, Data Sharing, Omics (genomics, metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, etc.) and Integrative Analyses
Primary Track: Foundations
Programmatic Theme: Academic Informatics / LIEAF

Many data resources generate, process, store, or provide kidney related molecular, pathological, and clinical data. Reference ontologies offer an opportunity to support knowledge and data integration. The Kidney Precision Medicine Project (KPMP) team contributed to the representation and addition of 329 kidney phenotype terms to the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), and identified many subcategories of acute kidney injury (AKI) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Kidney Tissue Atlas Ontology (KTAO) imports and integrates kidney-related terms from existing ontologies (e.g., HPO, CL, and Uberon) and represents 259 kidney-related biomarkers. We also developed a precision medicine metadata ontology (PMMO) to integrate 50 variables from KPMP and CZ CellxGene data resources and applied PMMO for integrative kidney data analysis. The gene expression profiles of kidney gene biomarkers were specifically analyzed under healthy control or AKI/CKD disease statuses. This work demonstrates how ontology-based approaches support multi-domain data and knowledge integration in precision medicine.

Speaker(s):
Alexander Diehl, PhD
University at Buffalo

Author(s):

Journal Club Engagement and Its Impact on Capstone Performance: A Study in a Health and Bioinformatics Master's Program

Presentation Time: 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM

Abstract Keywords: Bioinformatics, Curriculum Development, Education and Training
Primary Track: Applications
Programmatic Theme: Academic Informatics / LIEAF

This study explores the role of journal clubs in enhancing the academic performance of health and bioinformatics students within a capstone course, as advocated by the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) for ongoing professional growth. By comparing the capstone outcomes of 13 journal club participants against 20 non-participants from a Master's program cohort, we utilized non-parametric methods to assess the clubs' impact on critical appraisal and interdisciplinary application skills. Findings revealed that journal club members outperformed peers in project proposals and presentations, indicating a significant benefit in applying knowledge and communication, crucial for health informatics' interdisciplinary field. While overall GPA remained unchanged, suggesting journal clubs specifically enhance capstone-related abilities. These results advocate for integrating journal clubs into health informatics education, highlighting their value in fostering essential academic and professional competencies. Future studies should examine the long-term benefits of journal club participation on career advancement.

Speaker(s):
Suhila Sawesi, PhD
GVSU

Author(s):
Suhila Sawesi, PhD - GVSU; Mohamed Rashrash, Associate Prof/PhD - University of Charleston; Guenter Tusch, PhD - Grand Valley State University;