Key Objectives:
To identify and discuss key benefits and barriers to inter-jurisdictional data sharing with syndromic surveillance (SyS) practitioners and to formulate action steps to advance inter-jurisdictional data sharing. A method used in multiple SyS data sharing workshops will be applied to facilitate this highly participatory roundtable. The outputs will be used to shape recommendations and to develop tools for evidence-based improvements in data sharing and SyS practice and will guide technical assistance efforts to state and local health departments nationwide.
Brief Summary:
Workshop participants from Regional Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) Data Sharing workshops held in Health and Human Services regions 1-7 and 10 identified: 1) benefits; 2) barriers; and 3) action items for advancing SyS data sharing. The most commonly reported benefits of data sharing included: improved situational awareness; better preparedness and response; and deeper understanding of data and trends. The top barriers to data sharing were: legal issues; lack of resources (e.g. time, tools, personnel); and data quality issues. Actions included improving data quality, developing platforms for communication and collaboration, and getting leadership support and understanding. This roundtable provides opportunities for SyS practitioners to identify their own data sharing benefits, barriers, and actions. A simple and effective facilitation method will guide the discussion. Participants will be asked to complete the phrase, “Access to other jurisdictions’ SyS data would help me to ______,” to brainstorm data sharing benefits. The responses will then be grouped and categorized by participants. The discussion of data sharing barriers will be guided by: “My jurisdiction’s barrier to SyS data sharing is ______,” and similarly recorded. Roundtable participants will again group and categorize their responses. Participants will then prioritize the barrier categories with highest priority given to the category they feel could be most easily addressed to improve inter-jurisdictional SyS data sharing. The final task will be to develop specific action steps to address the three highest priority barriers. Participating in this roundtable discussion will provide CSTE Conference attendees new approaches and strategies for introducing or advancing inter-jurisdictional SyS data sharing between their departments and others.