Building an eHealth Workforce

CapacityPlus’s Dykki Settle participated in a side session on “Building an eHealth workforce” at the Second Global Forum on Human Resources for Health in Bangkok, Thailand. The session focused on developing and supporting an eHealth workforce to implement eHealth technologies, including human resources information systems, in countries around the world.

In his presentation, “The greatest gap: Building eHealth capacity around the world,” Settle gave an overview of eHealth technologies, then noted challenges and proposed solutions to implementing them.

CapacityPlus lead partner IntraHealth International presented the session with the Rockefeller Foundation. IntraHealth’s Pape Gaye served as the panel’s moderator. Other panelists included Ramesh Krishnamurthy of Health Metrics Network, Wuleta Lemma of Tulane University Technical Assistance Project in Ethiopia, and Vincent Oketcho of the Uganda Capacity Program. Group discussions following the panel resulted in these recommendations:

• Develop national eHealth workforce strategies and policies

• Apply broader health workforce strategies to the eHealth workforce

• Foster a community of eHealth innovation

• Develop and disseminate specific tools, guidance, and best practices. 

Related items:

• Without the User, There Is No System: Harnessing Technology through the eHealth Workforce

• Strengthening HRIS

• “With Technical Support You Learn to Fish”

Photo by Trevor Snapp. (Health worker in Panama)