gms | German Medical Science

Public health topics are complex and dependent on practical data mining. Suppose high-quality data (and their analysis and use for communication with target groups) is a prerequisite for effective decision-making. In that case, the use of digital technologies and methods is essential.

Public health data quality also determines spatial, i.e. geographical, component. In addition to traditional analytical procedures, spatial data allow their evaluation by spatial analysis. To fulfil the requirement for “digitisation of public health”, it is advisable to use a geographic information system as a complex technology and methodology for the input, management, analysis, visualisation and sharing of spatial data. On the other hand, the spatial component of digital health data presents additional, specific methodological issues related to geographic concepts. Nevertheless, “digital” Public Health also means finding new spatial data sources that complement traditional ones.

The field that has drawn the most attention to shortcomings of ineffective data flow management over the past two years has been epidemiology. It was due to the public emergency caused by the COVID-19 epidemic and the sudden need for crisis management and communication, both based on data. The epidemic authorities thus became an example of the lack of digitalisation of public health disciplines guaranteed by state and regional institutions.

The contribution will present the conclusions regarding the digitalisation of public health authorities obtained by generalising the experience gained during the three-year applied research project supported by the Technological Agency of the Czech Republic (TACR). The project addressed the topic of the possibilities of integrating a geographic information system (GIS) into the work of regional public health authorities in the Czech Republic. It will categorise the identified problems forming barriers to effective digitalisation of public health.