Implementation of the Tablet Device Pilot Project for Strengthening Health Information System in Fiji

Purpose of the contract

Working closely with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) and the WHO DPS Pacific Health Systems and Policy team, the contractor will contribute to strengthening the national health information system of Fiji. The consultancy is to support the MoHMS in planning and implementation of a pilot project on using tablet computers in health care setting. The objective of the study is to assess the efficiency and effectiveness alongside operational usability and scalability of the tablet device, and help MoHMS generate evidence for better decision making on application of tablet computers in clinical and public health practices.

Background

eHealth systems have been progressively undertaken in both developed and developing countries since the early 2000s. This was acknowledged by the World Health Assembly in resolution WHA58.28 (2005): “eHealth is the cost-effective and secure use of ICT in support of health and health-related fields, including health-care services, health surveillance, health literature, and health education, knowledge and research.”  Despite the rapid growth, very few countries have conducted evaluations of government-sponsored eHealth programmes, thereby limiting knowledge of what works well and what mistakes to avoid. For example, published literature on the use of mobile devices for public electronic health information systems in low and lower middle income countries is limited and no published studies on eHealth have been found in the entire Pacific region. The use of eHealth could improve the quality health service and public health data in the Pacific Island countries and areas. Evidence from other regions has shown that the use of mobile devices may improve hospital management, public health reporting capabilities and support health workers in practising. It also enhances service delivery through gaining better service management indicators such as bed occupancy rates, service utilisation statistics, and procurement, rostering of staff and patient ratio, and service planning at all levels.

Work to be performed

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Desk study and field support

Output/s

In collaboration with the Fiji MoHMS and the WHO DPS Pacific Health Systems and Policy team, the contractor will provide technical support to MoHMS to plan and implement a tablet pilot project.  Specifically, the contractor will undertake the following:

Output 1: Scoping document (including outline the scope, approach and objectives of the study)

1. Work with Director of the Health Information Unit and the WHO on finalizing the pilot project scoping document (including research and distribution plan)  with recommendations from stakeholders such as National Advisors, other end users, data providers and IT staff;
2. Work with nurses to incorporate their requirements on to the project scope document to  use the tablets for aggregate data collection and report generation;
3. Work with the MoHMS to develop a project plan for implementation including a timeframe and roles and responsibilities for MoHMS staff

Output 2: Support the MoHMS in Fiji to implement the pilot and collect evidence for the decision making on application of tablet computers

1. Work with the MoHMS to assess operational usability and scalability of the tablet device and help the Ministry to make evidence based decisions to:
   1. Define policy requirements and guidelines for governing the application, safety, ethics and usage of tablets in health care settings.
   2. Define level of IT support services required to increase utilization of existing applications with tablets; the security, safety and commitment that is required by the health professionals and support staff.
   3. Develop health facility policies and procedural requirements for encouraging tablet device use by health professionals for effective patient care and health information reporting.
   4. Determine budget requirements for providing and maintaining a reliable and surge resistant power source for ongoing tablet usage (e.g. maintenance and upkeep), secure storage and accurate records, ongoing maintenance and replenishment of tablets.
   5. Define capacity building needs for Ministry staff and possible changes in choice of tablets, interface and applications among others.
2. Work with the MoHMS and health care works to assess use of the tablets to support better the integrated health service delivery in the hospital wards and out-patient departments;
3. During the field visit:
   1. Conduct a stakeholder meeting to develop and discuss about the project content, research plan including distribution plans and study sites, intended use among others and collect relevant feedback
   2.  Facilitate dialogue between clinical people, IT and management related to tablets.
   3. Support the Ministry to arrange introduction and training sessions on the tablet use for different end-users as required.
4. Work with Systems Analyst CMRIS/PatisPlus to incorporate any changes to be done on the HIS applications to be usable for the tablets.
5. End of the field support period conduct a deep briefing of the activities concluded and next steps for the MoHMS and the WHO.

Output 3: Final report including recommendations and conclusions

1. Together with the MoHMS and the WHO, carry out the analysis in the end of the pilot and  form recommendations for the  scaling up the project as well as interrelated changes to the existing modules in PATISPlus and CMRIS to be effectively utilized with the tablet devices;
2. Support Product Manager PATISPlus/CMRIS to plan training scenarios and provide recommendations

Specific requirements

Education required: Minimum of master’s degree on public health, health informatics, epidemiology or medical doctor/nurse with training in any of the topics , or preferably both

Experience required: At least 7 years of working experience, including international work experience, in electronical medical record development with specialisation in using the applications with tablet devices in clinical settings. Experience working in tablet introduction projects with health care workers to assess their usability and effectiveness would be an asset.

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge: Extensive knowledge and experience in developing and implementing tablet health care project for electronic health information systems. Strong ability to conduct training in low and middle-income countries would be an asset. 

- Language requirements:

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

Competencies

• Communicating in a credible and effective way;
• Producing results;
• Moving forward in a changing environment; and
• Fostering integration and teamwork

Place of assignment

Home country and Suva, Fiji.

Timeline/Duration of assignment

The duration for of the assignment is 30-35 working days  tentatively between 10th March and 30th of May 2018, depending on needs of the Ministry of Health and availability of the selected contractor. Proposal should include proposed activities and draft schedule for the Ministry’s consideration. Expectation is that the contactor spends around 20 working days at the Ministry of Health and health facilities and 10-15 days are allocated to desk work.

Proposed activities/  Due dates in 2018

Submission of the project plan for implementation including a timeframe and roles and responsibilities for MoHMS staff (including distribution plan) - March 13

Submission of the interim report (end of the field work) - March 30

Submission of the final report on the study with recommendations - May 30

Detailed cost breakdown

Proposed activities    /    Unit quantity      /      Unit cost (USD)    /      Total (USD)

Contractual fees (x working days, excluding holidays)
Per diem (including travel days from home country)
Return flight costs
Miscellaneous costs (if any, specify)
Total

Payment terms

0% upon signature of the contract: 10 March 2018

50% upon the submission of the interim activity report: 20 March 2018

50% upon submission of the final report: 15 April 2018

Applications

Qualified and interested individuals or institutions should submit an application letter with an expected quotation and portfolio of previous works in relation to TOR to wpfjidpsprocurement@who.int. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Applications close on 28 February 2018. Please use Tender Notice No 68366 as subject to all submission.