CiLN Advisory Panel Update-June 2022

eHealthNews.nz: Clinical Informatics

Thursday, 16 June 2022

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NEWS – CiLN Advisory Panel Member Kate Yeo

Kate Yeo As you all know, CiLN stands for Clinical Informatic Leadership Network. Leadership is the most essential element within this networks name.

Shayne Hunter, deputy director-general, data and digital at the Ministry of Health, has shown exceptional leadership in his role. One shining example of this is the vision and development of Hira, to enable the health and disability system access to, and use of trusted information and services. There is information about Hira available on the ministry of health website.

The Hira project demonstrates a leader who can envision an ambitious, bold future with clear outcomes that will support the provision of quality, whānau centred care.

Hira is part of a wider data and digital plan that includes the digital enablement of the workforce. Investment will be made to support the development of digitally skilled and literate health workforce, with a pro-equity focus on the Māori workforce. Importantly, we know that if clinical staff are not represented at the highest levels, it is harder for them to engage and have their voices heard. There is huge potential for Clinical Informatics leaders in the aspirations of this goal, with the path to achieve it yet to be determined.

How will we as clinical leaders, enable this new vision? Like Covid, we can take the opportunity afforded by being late to the party internationally and learn lessons from others. The establishment of the chief clinical information officer (CCIO) role, that sits in partnership with other executive roles, is well established internationally.

Many global examples have an explicit interdisciplinary approach, at the highest level. This has been a journey over time. In the NHS, a large publicly funded service, medical colleagues were promoted into CCIO roles four years earlier than the introduction of similar nursing or allied roles. The establishment of these roles has enabled a growth in clinical informatics as a profession, with the focus now on career pathways and clinical engagement.

The clear articulation of what a health informatics career pathway looks like, to ensure solid recruitment and retention, has solidified the relationship with professional bodies and training institutions, working together to bring informatics into both undergraduate and post graduate education. With increased understanding and awareness has come the acknowledgement of the value in ensuring clinical informaticians are given dedicated time to be effective in their role, supporting development and change projects.

The true value of partnering with clinical informatics leaders is clearly evidenced overseas. We have the unique opportunity afforded by the current changes in health, to ensure the value of clinical informatics in Aotearoa is truly understood by all actors, clinical and technical, so the best solution is achieved. We can promote some of the best learnings from overseas, adapting them to the meet the individual environment of health in Aotearoa that is guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi to ensure equitable health outcomes for all.

As we wish Shayne Hunter all the best on his new endeavours, we can learn from his leadership. As clinical leaders the challenge is to be brave, to step in to partnerships with an open mind regarding solutions, but be clear about the outcome.

Think about the whole, investigate how your need fits into the network of professions and providers. Those with voices must advocate for different professional groups so our systems provide rounded solutions to meet the needs of our populations. Support our staff to take up opportunities through secondments and education. Realise that the future of digital and data is critical in the future of health and prioritise it.

Be active in CiLN, and other professional informatics groups. Register for a free ticket to the HiNZ Digital Health Leadership Summit in September and apply to speak and attend Digital Health Week 2022 in Rotorua in December. HiNZ supports CiLN and I encourage you to support HiNZ by becoming a member.

Understand what is happening, engage in focus groups and feedback. We currently can create our future as leaders we must be part of the conversation at every level.