Designing a data exchange model for EPMS and EDT systems in the directorate of special programmes of the ministry of health and social services [MOHSS].

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorKandume, Puyeipawa, N
dc.date.accessioned2021-07-30T08:07:33Z
dc.date.available2021-07-30T08:07:33Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractInteroperability of health information systems (HIS) is a major challenge in many developing countries and Namibia is no exception (Nengomasha, Abankwah, Uutoni, & Pazvakawamba, 2018). In Namibia, the MoHSS has failed to implement a fully functional integrated HIS, despite continuous support made by numerous donors (Dlodlo & Hamunyela, 2017). As a result, the MoHSS is facing difficulties in integrating these fragmented information systems due to their differences in terms of platform and database structure. Putting in mind the challenges caused by lack of integration, systems interoperability through a model has been identified as a fitting solution which the research aimed to achieve. In order to achieve the research’s aim, three objectives were identified. The first objective was to examine EPMS and EDT systems’ functional data and compatibility issues. The second objective of this research was to analyse common reports generated from EPMS and EDT systems and the challenges involved in producing a common and single report. The final objective was to determine the processes that are required for EPMS and EDT systems to integrate. To address these objectives, a design science research methodology was applied in the development of the interoperability model. A qualitative data collection methodology was adopted using document analysis of targeted documents and semi-structured interviews with relevant departments of the MoHSS. The data collected through document analysis was analysed using a content analysis approach, whereby a conceptual analysis method was applied. Subsequently, data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using a thematic data analysis approach. The results show that EPMS and EDT systems are not compatible in terms of syntactic, conceptual, and terminologies. The results also showed that EPMS and EDT systems have few clinical operational discrepancies. The results further indicated that EPMS and EDT systems do not have a common patient identifier, however, the two systems share a wide range of common input data fields, which if shared can be a solution to incompleteness and reporting discrepancies. In terms of ICT infrastructure, EPMS and EDT systems are standalone databases that are hosted on iii different networks. Also, most ART facilities do not have internet connections while some have challenges with the network connection. From a technical perspective, this research emphasises that EPMS and EDT systems can interoperate. The research further, recommends that EPMS and EDT systems can interoperate through adopting an integrated data model known as a canonical model. This technological initiative will allow EPMS and EDT systems to exchange common input data fields by mapping them together to create a single unified view that will help overcome the two systems’ heterogeneous nature in terms of conceptual, semantic and syntactic levels.en_US
dc.identifier.citationKandume, P. N. (2021). Designing a data exchange model for EPMS and EDT systems in the directorate of special programmes of the ministry of health and social services [MOHSS] [Unpublished masters thesis. Namibia University of Science and Technology.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir.nust.na:8080/jspui/handle/10628/791
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherNamibia University of Science and Technologyen_US
dc.subjectHealth Information Systemsen_US
dc.subjectMinistry of Healthen_US
dc.subjectElectronic Dispensing Toolen_US
dc.subjectElectronic Patient Management Systemen_US
dc.titleDesigning a data exchange model for EPMS and EDT systems in the directorate of special programmes of the ministry of health and social services [MOHSS].en_US
dc.title.alternativeThesis report presented for the research project in fulfilment for the degree of Master of Informatics At the NAMIBIA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
P K Master Thesis Final report 211013331.pdf
Size:
979.71 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Masters and PhD Theses