There were 12 participants and the response rate to the questionnaire was 100%. After the training session, 83% of participants felt able to apply Epi Info to a foodborne disease outbreak investigation. The participants reported an increase in their confidence in developing a questionnaire using Epi Info, entering
Executive summaryA qualitative survey was carried out with a small sample of senior public health professionals to describe: the types of communication technology that they currently use; the situations in which they apply these at work; and their interest in pursuing these techniques in the future. Six techniques were investigated: teleconferencing, web bulletin boards, web conferencing, videoconferencing, media streaming and satellite television.Thirteen public health professionals were invited to be interviewed and 12 agreed to participate (response rate 92%). Participants were people working in population health structures in the area health services in New South Wales (NSW) and the NSW Department of Health. Participants were interviewed using a structured survey that examined their: roles and responsibilities; experience of using communication technology; and barriers or enablers to their use. In contrast, factors that prevented use were the lack of availability of equipment, the lack of experience and skills in setting up and operating the technology and the perceived associated costs.Many raised cost as an issue, inferring that cheap delivery increased the chance of uptake. However, there is a tradeoff between cost and quality of delivery for many of these techniques. Better quality transmission of videoconferencing is associated with higher bandwidth transmission and higher cost.To integrate the use of communication technology into public health practice, a strategy is required that complements the traditional face-to-face approach. The strategy should increase awareness of the types of techniques available, the benefits they provide and the situations in which they are best applied. The challenge for the public health workforce is to clearly articulate their requirements and to successfully and comprehensively integrate a range of communication techniques into practice.
Abstract:We explored how six forms of communication technology (teleconferencing, web bulletin boards, web conferencing, videoconferencing, media streaming and satellite television) are currently being used in public health work in NSW. Twelve public health professionals working in the NSW health service were interviewed. Teleconferencing and videoconferencing were the most commonly used forms of communication technology. Factors that facilitated use included ease of access to facilities and assistance in organising and setting up the technique. Barriers to use included cost and the perception that the equipment was hard to set up and operate. Participants identified factors that assisted them to engage with these techniques.
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