Supporting End Users to Make IT Happen for Community Health

In 2000 Community Population and Rural Health (CPRH), a Division of The Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), embarked on an ambitious project to implement a community health application incorporating an electronic health record, care planning, scheduling and similar client management functions. It includes provision for point-of-care computing through use of 'Palm' devices for in-home use. Initial implementation will include three community health centres - two metropolitan sites within the North of the state and one rural site in the North West. The number of end users is approximately 150 for the pilot sites. Services involved include community nursing, home care, home maintenance, podiatry, physiotherapy, social work, continence and wound care services. Following implementation in the three pilot sites there will be roll out to the rest of Tasmania. This will include about thirty community health centres and likely extension to other community based services such as palliative care and mental health. This paper aims to present some of the learning that has come from the Tasmanian Community Client Health Profile (CCHP) project in relation to the set up for training and the support required for end users to enable them to work effectively in an IT environment. Key issues identified by the project team in supporting the introduction of CCHP include: Development of basic computer skills in the workforce Development of specific competencies relevant to the CCHP application Organising and implementing a training program to fit in with workforce constraints and the need to maintain client services. Policy Development