Problems with Health Information Systems in Ecuador, and the Need to Educate University Students in Health Informatics in Times of Pandemic

Gustavo Caiza, Fernando Ibarra-Torres, Marcelo V. Garcia, Valeria Barona-Pico

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Health information systems are important in every nature, but only macro has been thought of and the Universities that host thousands of students have been neglected. At present, they have faced a serious problem, the lack of health informatics personnel and the lack of importance of health information systems. Objectives: The present research has taken as a tool a survey to determine the use of health informatics in universities and to assess the training needs of university students in public health fields. Methods: The survey was conducted in two periods, the first period July–September 2019, and the second period in July–September 2020, to 3967 university students in Zone 3 of Ecuador, with the objective of evaluating the knowledge and use of health information systems. Results: The majority of students surveyed acknowledge that they do not use a computerized system to manage health services. Less than half have received any type of education in health informatics. Only between 15 and 33% say that their universities provide the necessary support to promote education in health informatics. Ninety-two percent would be interested in learning the use of online hospital services, and 68% health information search. Conclusions: University students in Ecuador need preparation in health informatics, which requires the revision of educational curricula and the implementation of educational projects for health informatics training.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIntelligent Sustainable Systems - Selected Papers of WorldS4 2021
EditorsAtulya K. Nagar, Dharm Singh Jat, Gabriela Marín-Raventós, Durgesh Kumar Mishra
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages119-127
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9789811663680
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Event5th World Conference on Smart Trends in Systems, Security and Sustainability, WS4 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 29 Jul 202130 Jul 2021

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Volume334
ISSN (Print)2367-3370
ISSN (Electronic)2367-3389

Conference

Conference5th World Conference on Smart Trends in Systems, Security and Sustainability, WS4 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period29/07/2130/07/21

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Keywords

  • Health informatics
  • Health informatics education
  • Health information systems
  • Health problems in education
  • University students

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