Development and Implementation of the DHAPP Military eHealth Information Network System

Abstract

Background: As the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the Global Fund, and the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief focus on reaching 90-90-90 goals, military health systems are scaling up to meet the data demands of these ambitious objectives.Methods: Since 2008, the US Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP) has been working with military partners in 14 countries on implementation and adoption of a Military eHealth Information Network (MeHIN). Each country implementation plan followed a structured process using international eHealth standards. DHAPP worked with the private sector to develop a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic medical record (EMR) for the collection of data, including patient demographic information, clinical notes for general medical care, HIV encounters, voluntary medical male circumcision, and tuberculosis screening information.Results: The COTS software approach provided a zero-dollar software license and focused on sharing a single version of the EMR across countries, so that all countries could benefit from software enhancements and new features over time. DHAPP also worked with the public sector to modify open source disease surveillance tools and open access of HIV training materials. Important lessons highlight challenges to eHealth implementation, including a paucity of technology infrastructure, military leadership rotations, and the need for basic computer skills building. Conclusion: While not simple, eHealth systems can be built and maintained with requisite security, flexibility, and reporting capabilities that provide critical information to improve the health of individuals and organizations.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1036529

Entities

People

  • Anne Thomas
  • Delphis Vera
  • Mark D Johnson
  • Mary Kratz
  • Mickey Lutz
  • Ricardo Hora

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application Software
  • Computers
  • Data Analysis
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Health Services
  • Information Systems
  • Intellectual Property
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Military Operations
  • Public Health
  • Standards
  • Training

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Political science

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics