With 20 years’ experience in the public health sector in Brazil and another ten in the private sector, Dr. Lincoln Assis Moura is currently an independent consultant and teaches courses aimed at developing strategic visions for the implementation of Healthcare Information Technology Systems.
He was recently elected president of the IMIA, the International Medical Informatics Association, and is clearly proud to be the first head of the Association to come from Latin America.
Ehealth Reporter Latin America: What challenges does becoming the next president of the IMIA present?
Lincoln Assis Moura: At the moment I’m only the president elect, my term will begin in 2013 and last two years. The main challenge for the president of the IMIA is to coordinate the Organization’s activity so that it achieves its strategic objectives, principally to become recognized as an organization with a wide-ranging international presence that is working to ensure that Healthcare Information Technology is used properly to improve the health of people and nations. As a Latin American I have the personal objective of helping our Region to become a focal point for Healthcare Information Technology.
EHRLA: What opportunities does this appointment present for Brazil and the region?
LAM: Many! Firstly, the choice of a Latin American is in itself recognition of Latin America’s potential and is an encouraging sign both for Brazil and other countries in the Region. There is also the fact that Medinfo 2015 will be held in Sao Paulo. This will be a unique opportunity to get a significant number of students and researchers from Latin America involved in such an important event. It will be an excellent chance to attract undergraduate and postgraduate students to our area of development. Demand for Healthcare IT professionals is increasing in our region and now is the time to make sure that we can offer quality training for Healthcare IT professionals.
EHRLA: In your experience, which Brazilian state have you found to be the most developed in terms of IT implementation in healthcare systems?
LAM: There are several public and private initiatives in Brazil which are excellent examples for both the country and the world. I personally regret that the diverse initiatives are poorly integrated. Brazil could have excellent healthcare information systems if our activity were more closely integrated.
EHRLA: Are you referring to integration in terms of interoperability?
LAM: Yes; although there are other factors, interoperability is the main issue. If you believe that the diverse systems currently present in the different countries are going to last and that this diversity is good, the next step is to consider ways of making the systems communicate with each other in a satisfactory manner. The secret to achieving interoperability lies in the standards. One of the biggest challenges for the next few years is to create quality standards for Healthcare Information Technology.
EHRLA: What examples would you highlight in Brazil?
LAM: I very much like the SIGA Saúde project partly because I was responsible for directing it, but also because it involves a clear notion of “foundational blocks”; patient records, professionals and healthcare establishments, based on univocal identification. These records are shared by internal and/or external applications, which in itself ensures an excellent level of interoperability.
The Mãe Paulistana program used by SIGA Saúde, is a great example of what can be achieved when you implement good processes supported by good information technology systems. The developers of the SUS (the Single Health System of Brazil) in the city of Sao Paolo, are backed up by quality services and support and have tangibly improved healthcare for mothers and their babies.
There are also important initiatives such as the Programa Telessaúde Brasil Redes which is being expanded so that Telessaúde’s procedures can be integrated with the SUS.
EHRLA: What are you working on at the moment?
LAM: Basically, the training and education of new professionals. I am convinced that training can reap great benefits in this area. The SBIS, the Brazilian Society of Healthcare Information Technology, in association with COACH, the Canadian Association of Healthcare Information Technology, has managed to expand on certain concepts which could have a major mid- and long-term impact on information technology systems in our countries.
EHRLA: Will you be attending the eSaude & PEP 2011 Congress in Sao Paulo?
LAM: Yes, of course. This is a very rapidly evolving area and I think that it is fundamental for professionals to be exposed to external influences, to participate in events and, as far as possible, to get involved in international public work. PEP 2011 will introduce some major new developments. I am very enthusiastic about proTICS, the training program for Healthcare Professionals which the SBIS will launch at the event. This is a path which will only be successful if we all work together. There is an African saying: “If you want to go fast, walk slowly. If you want to go far, go with company.” I think that our mission is to go as far together as we can. So, the IMIA, the IMIA-LAC and associations from each country are and will be the result of our work. We have our destiny in our hands.
