Scenario-based design: A method for connecting information system design with public health operations and emergency management
Responding to public health emergencies requires rapid and accurate assessment of workforce availability under adverse and changing circumstances. However, public health information systems to support resource management during both routine and emergency operations are currently lacking. We applied scenario-based design as an approach to engage public health practitioners in the creation and validation of an information design to support routine and emergency public health activities. Methods: Using semi-structured interviews we identified the information needs and activities of senior public health managers of a large municipal health department during routine and emergency operations. Results: Interview analysis identified 25 information needs for public health operations management. The identified information needs were used in conjunction with scenario-based design to create 25 scenarios of use and a public health manager persona. Scenarios of use and persona were validated and modified based on follow-up surveys with study participants. Scenarios were used to test and gain feedback on a pilot information system. Conclusion: The method of scenario-based design was applied to represent the resource management needs of senior-level public health managers under routine and disaster settings. Scenario-based design can be a useful tool for engaging public health practitioners in the design process and to validate an information system design.
Two researchers iteratively coded interview transcripts for area manager information needs ( use of constant comparative methodsScenarios of use developed through scenario-based design (scenarios of use applied on recent critical event at the time of the study: snow storm)
Semi-structured interviewsQualitative data analysisScenario-based designValidation surveys and think-aloud protocol
Engagement of participants through participatory design:1-hour interviews focused on area managers, who play a key role in decision-making during routine and emergency operations (over a 4-month period)Guide for semi-structured interviews was:Based on prior field work at the study settingAnalysis of continuity of operations planning (COOP)Documents from the local health jurisdictionSystematic review of literature covering public health, information technology, and COOP.
Collection done through pilot interviews and validated interviews.
Explore the use of scenario-based design as an approach to engage public health practitioners in the creation and validation of an information design to support routine and emergency work activities
Resource management systems exist for clinical settings, an open-source or commercial system that meets public health needs for integrating and visualizing employee data from different sources to assist with decision-making was n.a..( An existing open-source public health GIS tool to support the scenarios of use was modified: Prototype developed: Continuity of Operations Data Analysis (CODA)Validated through formative evaluation using a think-aloud protocolCODA provides resource management and location information about staff at public health centers.
Develop descriptions that characterize the context of work for area managersIdentified 25 individual information needs.Creation of a persona based on common participant characteristicsDevelop 25 scenarios of use designed to satisfy identified information needs. ( The design of the scenarios was guided by the persona description and a critical incident (snow storm context)
Interviews were recorded with the permission of each participant
Investigate the information needs, communications and work processes of managers of multiple facilities that require support during routine and emergency operations at a large local health jurisdiction.The interview guide covered the following six areas: Professional public health background of each participantNormal duties, decisions and use of technologiesDecisions and communication channels used during routine vs. emergency operationsBarriers and needs to successful communication with staffCurrent understanding of the continuity of operations planInformation about a recent regional snow storm as critical incident.
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Serwis internetowy Portfolio of Solutions został początkowo opracowany w ramach projektu DRIVER+. Obecnie serwis jest zarządzany przez AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, na rzecz Europejskiego Zarządzania Kryzysowego. PoS jest popierany i wspierany przez Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA), jak również przez projekty STAMINA i TeamAware H2020. |