Interoperability of Health Digitalization Case Study on Use of Information Technology for Maternal and Child Health Services in Indonesia

Abstract

: Introduction : Maternal and child health (MCH) is a global priority as health care innovation continues to evolve, including the use of information and communication technology. Studies showed that interoperable information systems can improve the quality of health services and at the same time facilitate the integration of data for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating the performance of health services, especially MCH. Aims : This study aims to identify various maternal and child health information systems used in Indonesia and opportunity of interoperability between systems to support continuum of care services. Methodology: Qualitative descriptive research was conducted in Yogyakarta Province from November to December 2020. This study assessed MCH applications that have been used in public and private primary health care, hospitals, health offices and in the community by identifying their functions and mapped data elements used by each application to assess potential interoperability between systems. The online focus group discussions with various application providers was conducted to explore the challenges of interoperability between digital systems. Results and Discussion : There were 18 maternal and child health information systems have been developed by the government (central and local), health facilities and private sector. The initiation of interoperability between systems has not yet occurred, except to support regular reporting at the health office and Ministry of Health level. Interoperability between information systems required efforts to improve information technology facilities and infrastructure, development of health data standards, strengthening governance and regulation and utilization of data as an effort to monitor, evaluation and continuity of interoperability between systems to support the digitalization of services and routine reporting. Conclusions and Recommendations : Digitalization of MCH services in Indonesia has the opportunity to support the continuum of care through an interoperable system. However, several enabler factors need to be prepared to support interoperability between information systems.