Medical report about improvement system for practical issues, a computer related task or function in an area of healthcare that is relevant

ISYS90078_2020 Assignment guidelines

Subject assessment

1. 2 written reports/specifications for data in a clinical information system. These documents together provide data specification for a topic relevant to the student. This work is discussed and developed in class and based on individual computer-based learning tutorials/ practical activities done in class, around 2,500 words each (5,000 words in total). Submitted in weeks 6 and 13 (100%). Addresses intended Learning Outcome 1 and 2

2. Hurdle Requirement: To pass this subject, students must obtain at least 50% of the full marks available in each of these two assessment components.

Learning and teaching tools

· Students need to bring an internet-connected laptop computer to class, to take full advantage of opportunities for online interaction during class. Headphones are strongly advised, especially for individual tutorial / prac work.

NB tablet computers such as iPads may not be adequate to undertake prac work.

· Online system tools will be used to demonstrate points throughout the course including metadata repositories, analysis of clinical system data and relevant standards.

· Subject documents and class records are handled using LMS Canvas. Lecture notes and audio recordings of lectures are made available weekly in the LMS.

· Where appropriate (and potentially weekly) online meetings may be used where student gathering is not achievable or viable).

· Tools for assigned work:

· Q&A about all assignments – maintained through LMS discussion forum

· Private groups for collaboration – LMS discussion forum is available; if you wish to use Facebook or similar that is up to you

· Use of openEHR clinical information modelling, FHIR resources online tools, and the Australian Health Metadata Repository.

· Tools for student feedback: the University will administer its student experience survey.

Major assignment guidelines

This task is a practical one. Education is, in part, about knowledge but in health informatics it is equally about the ability to apply that knowledge in a practical environment. The assessment task requires you to apply the knowledge provided and discussed during the classes to offer a practical solution to a real-world problem. You are not required to produce a research paper, but a document which clear and accurately explains your requirements which could be provided to an organisational decision maker. Such a document must communicate the intent of your solution. It would be used by management, IT and healthcare professionals.

Choose a computer related task or function in an area of healthcare that is relevant to you, for example:

Recording care plan for a patient with condition X.

Providing guidance on the recommended laboratory test for a specific condition

Recording details of a specific treatment in an electronic health record.

Provide alert or information to the computer user (clinician or patient) when conditions met:

such as drug ordered for a person with a condition for which that drug is contraindicated.

A health care related application for use on the phone

You are intended to work progressively through your chosen scenario, define the high-level data, information and knowledge management requirements, and implementation strategy for this function. This is one project divided into two steps and the second step should improve that of the previous submission considering comments provided by the lecturer or tutor. It is also essential that you identify throughout any issues or problems that need to be solved (not necessarily by you)

For example: if you do not have clinical knowledge – how do you proposed getting clinical input to your project – you do not have to get that input you have to identify that you need it and how you might get it.

You are required to produce the following:

Part 1: System description and data specification

Clear definition of the tasks you wish to be able to use a computer to perform and a description of the scope of the data required to deliver that functionality. Some data may come from existing systems through information interchange Actual specification of the individual data elements. This should be addressed by:

- definition of the problem to be solved – explaining why this activity should be undertaken.

- description of the functionality required (each individual task the computer is to undertake, including any interfaces or information sharing intended.) Summarise the workflow

- the start point,

- interfaces

- displays/data collection,

- end-point actions taken by the computer,

- options for users.

- producing a mind map of the data elements needed and their relationships

- for 3 data elements

- analyse existing data standards for this type of data and indicate if you will adopt, adapt or create the definition you intend to use.

- prepare a data definition and determine the concept representation appropriate to each of these data elements

- indicate your rationale for the choice of adopt, adapt or create the data standard.

- identify issues – problems which would need to be solved (by the implementation team) to reach the point of system implementation.

Part 2: Governance, Development, Implementation and Maintenance Strategy

Update the initial submission to reflect comments made and improve accordingly.

Extend the initial document to make a complete submission by including:

· plan and skills needed for information governance, and

· evidence base and feedback (knowledge acquisition).

· Strategy for development, implementation, and system maintenance

· How issues not yet resolved such as data quality, accessibility, comparability, and interoperability will be addressed.

· Summary of decisions required to progress to development of the solution.

Suggested steps:

1. Choose a very specific task or function.

For example, you might choose a process which is currently manual which you would believe could be more effective, safe, timely etc if supported by computer assistance. You will not be expected to define the software itself, but the overarching processes and data required by the system. Discuss your selection with the Lecturer (by email or in person) to ensure that you have chosen something suitable and of an achievable size. For example, you must understand the data available vs the data required of the task, where the task fits in the clinical workflow. Identify the stakeholders and how you will obtain input from them, the benefits to each stakeholder group and particularly to the organisation, the process could include establishing a small group of stakeholders to confirm your decisions, seek expert guidance. inclusion of evidence of benefit potential would be an advantage, but it is common that no such evidence exists, in which case you must indicate how you will establish a benchmark and review after implementation to actively measure benefits obtained.

Define each process the system must perform, and the data needed. For example, if you are designing a decision support system, what triggers the system to provide guidance (this could be an activity i.e. medication order, or a specific value in a medicine order (a disease or a drug). The data you need to consider include the trigger data, the rules, or knowledge data, and the action, guidance or information which results from this activity. You need to also consider where this task will fit in the clinical and information system workflow.

2. Define each data element and how that data is to be represented (the codes used). For example: here you can gather evidence on which to base your comparison. Current = past 5 years. You are not expected to do primary, empirical research for this assignment. For example, research the peer-reviewed literature on this specific topic in academic databases; consult industry sources such as white papers, trade journal articles, marketing materials; seek expert accounts from conference presentations and on social media; refer to documentation from your work experience if relevant. Use either APA style or Vancouver style for referencing and citation.

3. Establish an implementation strategy. This strategy must consider motivating factors, risks and the practical requirements for implementation and ongoing governance of the system, knowledge, and resources. This should also consider how the data captured can be used to build further knowledge (knowledge acquisition)

Discuss your findings. This could include reflection on the process of development, the skills needed, the resources and evidence available and the implementation difficulty, making comment on tools such as standards available/or not available. Consider what your next steps would be.

Assessment criteria: Each of the following will earn up to 10 marks, for a total of 50 marks. Sample answers will be provided and discussed in class.

The practical utility of your proposal and the completeness (ability of the data, knowledge, and system to achieve the desired outcome) will also be considered in the marking process. See the marking outline in the assessment area.

Key dates:

On or before 10th September - Submit Part 1: Comment by Heather Grain: To be updated

On or before 29th October (Week 13) - Submit Final Document (parts 1 (updated), and 2)

Each assignment to be submitted on or before the due date with an assignment cover sheet to using the canvas assessment submission process.

Some examples of functional specification are included in subject references relevant to each topic area. It should be noted that there are many effective ways of presenting functional specifications and that the principle is to be precise, complete and communicate clearly - this is the principle requirement above all others.