Page 53 - Driving Public Health in the Fast Lane

Appendix B

Questions to Frame Focus Group Discussions

Focus groups of public health subject matter experts discussed four public health threats—an opioid
overdose, a foodborne outbreak, a measles resurgence, and a natural disaster—and described how data is
shared throughout the current public health surveillance system. The following discussion questions were
developed to guide conversations:

1. Explain how health data currently flows through this scenario to contribute to public health
surveillance.

• Are you relying on manual/paper-based processes to support some or all of the efforts?
Faxing? Phone calls?
• What, if any, systems are interoperable with each other?

2. What are the barriers and challenges to current data flow?

• Where does the data get stuck with either sending or receiving? And why? For example, lack
of standards for sharing information effectively?
• How do these barriers and challenges make your job harder?

• What opportunities are lost because of antiquated systems?
• Are the data more vulnerable to breach? If so, why?

3. How can integration or interoperability of the data systems be improved?

4. What are the benefits of having a fully interoperable, integrated surveillance system?

• External: Patient outcomes? Health outcomes? Patient privacy?

• Internal: Workflow efficiencies? Cyber security?

5. What are your workforce challenges?

• What skills will your workforce need to utilize electronic systems?

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