Repackaging of Health Information module 6'3

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Repackaging of Health Information(module 6.3)

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Objectives

• Review the concept of repacking information for
  the health sector
• Note key variables for successful repackaging
  projects
• Discuss some examples of repackaging projects in
  the electronic age
• Develop some options for the repackaging of
  HINARI based information

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Repackaging

• The information service selects appropriate
  materials, reprocessing the information in a form
  that can be readily understood and arranging all
  these materials in a way that is appropriate to
  the user.
• Stilwell, Christine. Repackaging Information
  a review. 1999 www.hs.unp.ac.za/infs/kiad/04stilw.
  doc

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Overview

• Repackaging is
• not a new concept for library and information
  work
• parallel to abstracting and indexing work,
  selective dissemination of information, bulletins
  and current awareness services
• The effectiveness of a library is based on the
  extent that material is used, not on the volume
  of physical objects held.

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Developing country context

• Information contained in scientific and technical
  journals/research reports is in languages which
  make them inappropriate for use by most people
• Even when the language is appropriate (e.g.
  Swahili), there are other language barriers and
  format considerations especially if it is not the
  predominant education language for health.
• Print-related concept of the library is limited
  in institutions when funds for print materials
  are in short supply, and a book culture is only
  partially developed

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Current Electronic Age

• Information revolution parallels the green
  revolution
• need a package of resources for success - seed,
  fertilizer, water, roads, market, etc.
• For successful implementation, the Information
  revolution package must include
• hardware and a telecommunications infrastructure
  that is reliable and cost-effective
• reliable supply of electricity
• free, legal and relevant information ranging from
  primary care resources to research outputs (e.g.
  HINARI, Essential Health Links)
• training for health professionals to be able to
  identify, filter, evaluate and use health-related
  information (e.g. HINARI workshops and online
  courses)

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Key steps

• Study of potential users, selection of primary
  information sources and the evaluation of the
  information content
• Analysis of the content to permit restructuring
  (condensing, rewriting, translating, etc.) and
  packaging or repackaging of information
• Diffusion, or dissemination of the packages
• accompanied by feedback from users
• evaluation and adjustment of the material

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Stakeholders

• Stakeholder involvement is essential for
• the appropriate formats into which the
  information would be repackaged
• the channels through which it would be
  disseminated
• Since information is not static, any
  repackaging program would need to assess changes
  and provide a service accordingly

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Design issues

• include simple and clear presentation of the
  information test the information for readability
• use short sentences, generally less than about 25
  words
• use everyday alternatives for specialized
  vocabulary
• give concrete and specific examples when possible
• include boxed introductory and end summary
  statements (e.g. bulleted lists)

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Repackaging and e-resources

• The repackaging process also depends on the
  availability of material, the information
  content, to repackage. This content can be
  derived from published material, data from
  research institutes and government statistical
  services (and) from electronic information
  acquired from online services
• Sturges, P. and G. Chimseu. 1996. Information
  repackaging in Malawi. African journal of
  library, archives and information science 6(2) 87

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Potential Resources

• For effective use of resources
• the information materials should be collected and
  organized efficiently
• the material should be searchable in order to
  create new information packages
• new products should be disseminated freely
• Does HINARI have these options?

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Repackaging Examples 2004/2006 AHILA Congresses

• a seven-country project that publishes health
  information digests for rural healthcare workers
  using repackaged Internet-based material best
  examples from Uganda and Zimbabwe
• use of store and forward email as a tool for
  the dissemination of health information in rural
  Mozambique Ministry of Health

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Repackaging examples (2)

• Kenya Medical Research Institute is repackaging
  HIV/AIDS information into newsletters for the
  business, rural and marginalized settings
• In Malawi, use of World Space radio channel to
  deliver health information to rural health
  workers
• after the pilot project, being expanded to
  include other countries in the Southern African
  region
• Forum of African Medical Editors (FAME) is
  discussing role of journal editors in repackaging
  health information
• developing strategies for various audiences
• includes producing medical digests and mass media

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Exercise

• What material from HINARI would you consider for
  repackaging?
• Who would be your potential audiences?
• How would you involve the stakeholders?
• What means of delivery would you use?
• Who would you need to collaborate with to develop
  this repackaging plan?

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This is the end of Module 5.3

• Updated 08 2008