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. 2024 Aug 12;8(4):e10446.
doi: 10.1002/lrh2.10446. eCollection 2024 Oct.

A model of academic-practice collaboration for facilitating informatics capacity and building a learning health system framework in public health

Sripriya Rajamani  1   2 , Sarah Solarz  3 , Miriam Halstead Muscoplat  3 , Aasa Dahlberg Schmit  4 , Ann Gonderinger  3 , Chris Brueske  3 , Jennifer Fritz  3 , Emily Emerson  3 , Genevieve B Melton  2   5   6
Affiliations

A model of academic-practice collaboration for facilitating informatics capacity and building a learning health system framework in public health

Sripriya Rajamani et al. Learn Health Syst. .

Abstract

Background and objective: The data modernization initiative (DMI) is a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar endeavor toward a robust public health information infrastructure. The various DMI projects (interoperability, analytics, workforce, governance) present an opportunity for a learning health system (LHS) framework in public health. The objective is to share an academic-practice partnership model between the University of Minnesota (UMN) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in advancing public health informatics (PHI) and its relationship to an LHS model.

Methods: The UMN-MDH partnership was conceptualized in 2018 as a 1-year pilot with annual renewals through a time/cost-sharing faculty position with PHI expertise. The partnership focus was decided based on MDH's needs and mutual interests, with the core collaborating faculty (SR) being an embedded researcher at MDH. Responsibilities included supporting electronic case reporting (eCR), interoperability projects, and assisting MDH staff with PHI presentations/publications. The partnership has expanded to PHI workforce development through a national grant and now includes an interest in applying the LHS framework to MDH-DMI work.

Results: The MDH-DMI team has embarked upon 13 projects for assessment through an LHS approach: systems interoperability projects between MDH and healthcare/local public health (n = 6); systems modernization for MDH programs (n = 5); informatics workforce development (n = 1); and program governance (n = 1). Each project has been evaluated and/or has current/future assessment plans to synthesize learnings and create a feedback loop for iterative improvement. The partnership has been mutually beneficial as it met agreed upon metrics across both institutions. The program's productivity is showcased with shared authorship in 10 peer-reviewed proceedings/publications, 22 presentations and 16 posters across local/national conferences.

Conclusion: The current case report of the UMN-MDH partnership is a relatively recent exemplar to support tangible LHS demonstration in public health. Building LHS momentum at MDH and other public health entities will require LHS champion(s) and continued academic collaboration.

Keywords: academic‐practice collaboration; data modernization initiative (DMI); health information interoperability; learning health systems; public health; public health informatics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they do not have any competing interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Applying learning health systems framework to data modernization projects at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). DMI, data modernization initiative.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Select data and systems modernization projects at Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for applying the learning health system framework. eSHARE, Electronic System for Health Assessment of Refugees; MEDSS, Minnesota Electronic Disease Surveillance System; MIIC, Minnesota Immunization Information Connection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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