USA: +1(669)289-8683 
Sign in
Discussion 1In this course, you will learn how to translate health data management into practice. Students will
engage in real-world opportunities to build their capacity to enter the field of Health Informatics.
A current issue in the community is Social Determinants of Health (SDH). According to the World
Health Organization (2023), SDHs are “non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They
are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces
and systems shaping the conditions of daily life” (p. 1). Social health is affected by social,
economic, and environmental factors. As college students become allied health practitioners, it is
a critical juncture in their education and career pathways to be knowledgeable about SDH and their
community. Therefore, it is imperative to incorporate Health Informatics to help improve SDH,
patient quality, safety, and value. Also, hiring practices of diverse populations in healthcare
organizations are essential. The following abstract will be discussed with Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in 2024:
Abstract: Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and hiring practices of diverse populations are
essential. Health Informatics holds immense potential to revolutionize healthcare by improving
patient quality, safety, and overall value. There is a critical connection between Health Informatics
and Human Resources (HR) hiring practices in underserved communities. A diversified and
inclusive healthcare workforce is fundamental to addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in
underserved areas. This research explores the pivotal role of HR in the recruitment, training, and
retention of professionals from underserved communities, thereby strengthening the foundation
for effective health informatics implementation. A comprehensive review of literature and case
studies shows that diversifying the workforce enhances cultural competency, fosters a deeper
understanding of patient needs, and subsequently improves patient outcomes. Health Informatics
technologies aid in reducing medical errors, streamline communication, and enhance data-driven
decision-making, ultimately leading to safer and more efficient care. The synthesis of HR hiring
practices and Health Informatics technology presents a compelling case for closing the healthcare
disparity gap and elevating patient care quality, safety, and value. This research underlines the
urgency of embracing inclusive HR practices to ensure that Health Informatics in allied health is
effectively leveraged to benefit all segments of society, irrespective of their socioeconomic status
or geographic location.
Reference
World Health Organization. (2023). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/healthtopics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1.
Instructions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Read the SDH information from the World Health Organization.
Read the abstract above and use critical thinking skills and metacognition.
Watch the following videos:
Tableau: How to Install Tableau and Create First Visualization | Tableau Tutorials for
Beginners, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xv1KvCMF1Q
Excel: The Beginner’s Guide to Excel – Excel Basic Tutorial,
Structured Query Language (SQL): Learn Basic SQL in 15 Minutes | Business
Intelligence for Beginners | SQL Tutorial for Beginners,
Select a data visualization format from the video examples above; select either Tableau,
Excel, or SQL as your proposed data visualization source. This course will teach you how
to query data fields using the Electronic Health Record (EHR). In doing so, you can
research proposed studies for healthcare organizations, as noted in the abstract. Displaying
data in specific formats helps healthcare leaders make informed decisions.
Research SDH and locate three peer-reviewed journal articles. Use the Norfolk State
University Online Library or Google Scholar. Ensure your research contains visual data,
graphs, or charts relative to SDH.
Select only three of the following research questions for your initial post. Keep the
sublevel headings used below and reword the questions into statements based on your
research:
1. Understanding SDH in Context: How does SDH affect community health outcomes, and
why is it crucial for future health practitioners to have a deep understanding of these
factors?
2. Role of Health Informatics: In what ways can Health Informatics be utilized to address
and improve social determinants of health, and what are some potential challenges in
implementing these technologies in underserved communities?
3. Diversity in Healthcare Workforce: Discuss the importance of hiring practices that focus
on diversity in healthcare organizations. How does a diverse healthcare workforce
contribute to addressing healthcare disparities, especially in underserved areas?
4. Cultural Competency and Patient Outcomes: How does having a culturally competent
healthcare workforce enhance the understanding of patient needs and improve patient
outcomes, particularly in communities with diverse backgrounds?
5. Synergy between HR Practices and Health Informatics: Examine the relationship
between human resources (HR) hiring practices and the implementation of Health
Informatics. How can this synergy contribute to reducing healthcare disparities and
improving quality, safety, and value in patient care?
6. Strategies for Inclusive Healthcare: What strategies can be adopted by healthcare
organizations and educational institutions to ensure the development of an inclusive
healthcare workforce? How can these strategies be tailored to meet the needs of specific
communities, including those served by Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs)?
Write a 500-word initial post that contains the following:
1.
A title relative to your research,
2. Introductory paragraph (add the thesis statement as the last sentence in the first
paragraph),
3.
Three content paragraphs (using the sublevel headings and statements above),
4.
Provide your recommendation in the conclusion paragraph based on your research.
