Healthy endothelium: The scientific basis for cardiovascular health promotion and chronic disease prevention

Abstract Background. In Australia, health services are seeking innovative ways to utilize data stored in health information systems to report on, and improve, health care quality and health system performance for Aboriginal Australians. However, there is little research about the use of health information systems in the context of Aboriginal health promotion. In 2008, the Northern Territory’s publicly funded healthcare system introduced the Quality Improvement Program Planning System (QIPPS) as the centralized online system for recording information about health promotion programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential for utilizing data stored in QIPPS to report on quality of Aboriginal health promotion, using chronic disease prevention programs as exemplars. We identify the potential benefits and limitations of health information systems for enhancing Aboriginal health promotion. Methods: A retrospective audit was undertaken on a sample of chronic disease prevention activities delivered between 2013 and 2016. A validated, paper-based audit tool was used to extract information stored in the QIPPS online system and report on Aboriginal health promotion quality. Simple frequency counts were calculated for dichotomous and categorical items. Text was extracted and thematically analyzed to describe community participation processes and strategies used in Aboriginal health promotion. Results: 39 chronic disease prevention activities were included in the analysis. Most of the recorded information pertained to the health promotion planning phases, such as statements of project goals, ‘needs assessment’ findings, and processes for consulting Aboriginal people in the community. Evaluation findings were reported in approximately one third of projects and mostly limited to a recording of numbers of participants. For almost half of the projects analyzed, community participation strategies were not recorded. Conclusion: This is the first Australian study to shed light on the feasibility of utilizing data stored in a purposefully designed health information system for reporting on Aboriginal health promotion quality. Data availability and quality were limiting factors for reporting health promotion quality. Strategies to improve the quality and accuracy of data entry together with the use of quality improvement approaches are needed to reap the potential benefits of health promotion information systems.

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Between worst and best: developing criteria to identify promising practices in health promotion and disease prevention for the Canadian Best Practices Portal

Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada ◽

10.24095/hpcdp.37.11.03 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (11) ◽

pp. 386-392 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nadia Fazal ◽

Suzanne F. Jackson ◽

Katy Wong ◽

Jennifer Yessis ◽

Nina Jetha

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Best Practices ◽

Disease Prevention ◽

Health Agency ◽

Chronic Disease Prevention ◽

Promising Practices ◽

Screening Criteria ◽

The Public

Introduction In health promotion and chronic disease prevention, both best and promising practices can provide critical insights into what works for enhancing the healthrelated outcomes of individuals and communities, and how/why these practices work in different situations and contexts. Methods The promising practices criteria were developed using the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC’s) existing best practices criteria as the foundation. They were modified and pilot tested (three rounds) using published interventions. Theoretical and methodological issues and challenges were resolved via consultation and in-depth discussions with a working group. Results The team established a set of promising practices criteria, which differentiated from the best practices criteria via six specific measures. Conclusion While a number of complex challenges emerged in the development of these criteria, they were thoroughly discussed, debated and resolved. The Canadian Best Practices Portal’s screening criteria allow one to screen for both best and promising practices in the fields of public health, health promotion, chronic disease prevention, and potentially beyond.

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