Online surveillance systems in communicable diseases
Being able to quickly and efficiently identify infectious diseases (especially those that are new or re-emerging) is a crucial element in disease control. Surveillance systems typically rely on a patient recognising symptoms and seeking treatment, followed by a healthcare provider or laboratory staff member reporting the data to the relevant public health authorities. These systems can be expensive, time/resource intensive and may require complex networks.
However, some surveillance systems are not always efficient in dealing with these new infections. Recently, there been an increase in the use of systems, which exploit the increase in worldwide internet usage. To date, Internet based surveillance systems have included the use of:
Social media (Twitter, Facebook, blogs)
Automated analysis of internet usage data (search data etc.)
Online surveys
There are advantages and disadvantages with the use of these new systems in comparison to other approaches to disease surveillance that are used here in Australia and overseas, such as Australian National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS).
The aim of this report is to critically evaluate an internet based surveillance approach. Choose one of the following options to focus on:
1. FluTracking Surveillance System (established by University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health)
2. Google Flu or Dengue Trends
3. HealthMap
4. A social media based surveillance approach
The report requires you to demonstrate that you have gained an understanding of the system that you are writing about. Your report should cover the following areas:
1. Aim/objectives of the system and the rational for its use
2. Type/structure/core function of the system (i.e. case definition, design, population
under surveillance, data collection strategies, methods used to analyse the data etc.)
3. Surveillance system attributes (i.e. acceptability, flexibility, timeliness,
representativeness, data accuracy.)
4. Utilisation of the data collected from the system
5. Quality control/monitoring and evaluation
6. Potential or identified strengths, weaknesses and challenges associated with using
the system
7. Changes that could be made to improve the system and/or suggested future
directions
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