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Health information systems and disability in the Lao PDR: a qualitative study
Author(s) -
Durham Jo,
Sychareun Vanphanom,
Rodney Anna,
Gouda Hebe N.,
Richards Nicola,
Rampatige Rasika,
Whittaker Maxine
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the international journal of health planning and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1099-1751
pISSN - 0749-6753
DOI - 10.1002/hpm.2319
Subject(s) - international classification of functioning, disability and health , psychological intervention , medical model of disability , obligation , information system , qualitative research , gerontology , environmental health , nursing , medicine , psychology , rehabilitation , political science , sociology , physical therapy , psychiatry , social science , law
Summary The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides an opportunity to strengthen disability‐related health information. This study analysed the health information system in Lao PDR and sought evidence of interventions to improve disability‐related health information. The study was based on a literature review and key informant interviews ( N = 17) informed by the Health Metrics Network's Framework and Standards and the Performance of Routine Information System Management framework. The Lao health information system is in an embryonic stage with health data often incomplete, inaccurate and poorly used. Indicators related to disability or functioning are not included, and capacity to diagnose the health condition of disability is limited. No studies of health information interventions were found. As a State Party to the CRPD, the Lao PDR has a legal obligation to collect health‐related information on people with disabilities. Given the nascent stage of development of the health information system in the Lao PDR and diagnostic capacity, indicators related to basic functioning and access to services should be integrated into household level surveys. As the health information system further develops, small, incremental changes in the type of disability information and rehabilitation and the way it is collected can be implemented. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.