Resources for Implementing HRIS Strengthening

This Toolkit provides the basic tools and information you need to implement the HRIS strengthening process. However, many additional resources are available to assist with this work that could not be included in this Toolkit. All of these resources are free and can be accessed on the Internet.

General Resources

HRIS Strengthening Website

http://www.capacityplus.org/hris/

Our project website provides an electronic version of this Toolkit, demonstrations and free downloads of the iHRIS software, and additional case studies, in-depth information, and resources.

HRH Global Resource Center

http://www.hrhresourcecenter.org/

CapacityPlus's HRH Global Resource Center is a digital library of resources on the topic of human resources for health (HRH), focusing on developing countries. Check the subject guide for information systems resources.

Asia-Pacific Development Information Program (APDIP) Case Studies

http://www.apdip.net/resources/case

http://www.apdip.net/elibrary

The site provides over 100 case studies on ICT for development topics, including access and infrastructure, capacity building and education, free and open source software, and health and medicine. Also explore the E-Library for free electronic books, brochures and primers on ICT issues such as governance, free and open source software, policy, planning and project implementation.

Human Resources for Health Dossier

http://www.eldis.ids.ac.uk/go/topics/dossiers/human-resources-for-health

The human resources for health dossier from Eldis offers practical, up-to-date information about how to address human resources problems and issues, drawing upon evidence about what works and identifying innovations in approaches, policy and practice.

The Manager's Electronic Resource Center

http://erc.msh.org/

This website connects an international network of health professionals to share management experience. Of particular interest are the topic area, Managing Information, and the Health Manager's Toolkit, a compendium of tools designed to assist health professionals at all levels of the organization.

The World Bank: Human Resources for Health

http://go.worldbank.org/XR4K48D5M0

This website is devoted to understanding the critical contribution of HRH to health systems development. It includes key topics in HRH, news and events, statistical data, readings on critical HRH issues, a document library, a glossary and links to related resources.

Section I: Building HRIS Leadership

Africa Health Workforce Observatory

http://www.afro.who.int/hrh-observatory/index.html

The Africa Health Workforce Observatory promotes, develops and sustains the knowledge base for HRH in the African region. It provides evidence for policy decisions to strengthen health systems and improve health service delivery.

Asia-Pacific Action Alliance on Human Resources for Health

http://www.aaahrh.org/

The Asia-Pacific Action Alliance on Human Resources for Health is a regional partnership of 15 member countries. It was established to strengthen country capacity for HRH planning and management.

HRH Action Framework

http://www.capacityproject.org/framework/

The HRH Action Framework is designed to assist governments and health managers to develop and implement strategies to achieve an effective and sustainable health workforce.

Virtual Leadership Development Program

http://www.msh.org/projects/lms/ProgramsAndTools/LeadingAndManaging/VLDP.cfm

The Virtual Leadership Development Program is a blended-learning program that extends leadership development opportunities into the workplace for health managers and their teams, who seldom have the time or the resources to attend offsite leadership development programs. Program materials, including interactive exercises, are presented through a website that also promotes dialogue among experienced facilitators, individual participants and work teams. During the program, participants apply their leadership capacity by identifying an organizational challenge and developing an action plan to address it with feedback and support from program facilitators.

Section II: Assessing and Improving Existing Systems

Assessing the National Health Information System

http://www.who.int/healthmetrics/tools/hisassessment/en/index.html

A crucial early step is an effective assessment of the existing national health information system, both to establish a baseline and to monitor progress. This tool describes in detail how to undertake a first baseline assessment.

Health Metrics Network

http://www.who.int/healthmetrics/en/

The Health Metrics Network facilitates better health information at the local, country and global levels. The strategic goal is to increase the availability and use of timely and accurate health information by catalyzing the joint funding and development of core country health information systems.

Human Resources for Health Assessment Data Collection Training

http://www.healthsystems2020.org/content/resource/detail/1939/

The trainer's manual contains a suggested workshop design for use by individuals and organizations planning HRH assessments. These materials can be used to train supervisors and data collectors to conduct an HRH assessment.

The World Bank Data and Research

http://www.worldbank.org/data

The World Bank provides high-quality ICT data and statistics for many countries, with indicators for access, quality, affordability, institutional efficiency and sustainability, and ICT applications. In the sidebar, select Data and By Topic, then click the Information and Communication Technologies link.

Section III: Developing Software Solutions

iHRIS Suite hosting site

https://launchpad.net/ihris-suite/

On the hosting site you can download the iHRIS software, access the code for customization, report bugs, translate the user interface into additional languages and ask questions of the software development team.

iHRIS wiki

http://open.intrahealth.org/wiki/Main_Page

The wiki provides technical documentation for the iHRIS software suite, as well as development timelines and other resources pertaining to the software.

iHRIS Announce mailing list

http://lists.intrahealth.org/mailman/listinfo/ihris-announce

Subscribe to this mailing list to receive announcements of new releases of the iHRIS suite of software.

iHRIS Developers mailing list

http://lists.intrahealth.org/mailman/listinfo/ihris-developers/

Subscribe to this mailing list to ask questions or discuss issues with the iHRIS software development team and other developers working on iHRIS.

Free Software and Open Source Foundation (FOSS) for Africa

http://www.fossfa.net/

FOSSFA promotes the use of free and Open Source software and the FOSS model in African development, and the organization supports the integration of FOSS in national policies. FOSSFA also coordinates, promotes and adds value to African FOSS initiatives, creativity, industry, expertise, efforts and activities at all levels.

Open Source Africa

http://www.opensourceafrica.org/

Open Source Africa raises awareness about the benefits (and pitfalls) of Open Source software on the ground in Africa and provides practical information on using Open Source tools.

The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)

http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf8-doc/arch/

The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) is a detailed method and a set of supporting tools for developing an enterprise architecture. It enables IT users to design, evaluate and build the right architecture for their organization, and reduces the costs of planning, designing and implementing architectures based on open systems solutions.

Open of Course

http://www.open-of-course.org/courses/

This site provides free online courses in programming basics, including courses in understanding Linux, using Ubuntu and web design fundamentals.

Section IV: Using Data to Make Decisions

Data Demand and Information Use

http://www.cpc.unc.edu/measure/our-work/strategies/data-demand-and-information-use

To support evidence-based decision-making, MEASURE Evaluation has developed a conceptual framework and set of tools to aid policymakers and stakeholders in implementing data demand and information use strategies. In this framework, there is a clear and consistent link between the use of health information and the commitment to improving the quality and availability of data.

Data Sharing for Demographic Research (DSDR)

http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/DSDR/producers.html

DSDR is a project of the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research. The DSDR website provides information for data producers about data sharing and archiving.

HRH Planning Tools

http://www.who.int/hrh/tools/planning/en/index.html

WHO provides a collection of tools for estimating HRH needs, developing health workforce strategic plans and monitoring health service performance.

Section V: Ensuring Sustainability

Toolkit for Monitoring Health System Strengthening

http://www.who.int/healthinfo/statistics/toolkit_hss/en/index.html

This toolkit describes a set of indicators and related measurement strategies covering the core health system building blocks of service delivery, information systems, financing, human resources, medical products and governance. The toolkit enables decision-makers to track the impact of health system strengthening in terms of improved health indicators.

Uganda Ministry of Health Knowledge Management Portal

http://library.health.go.ug/jla/

The Uganda MOH Knowledge Management Portal demonstrates how HRIS and health information from other sources can be brought together in an easy-to-use resource.

Wikipedia List of Open Source Healthcare Software

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open_source_healthcare_software

Consult this comprehensive list of Open Source software to extend information systems support beyond HRIS with freely available, compatible solutions for health care applications, such as electronic medical records, health information systems and telemedicine.