Please see the attached file
HAP 360 Extra Credit Assignment
Spring 2020
Mr. Oakes
The current outbreak of COVID-19 has had an unprecedented effect on our US health system, and on our national economy. The effects of the outbreak will likely be felt for years to come.
The collection, analysis and interpretation of accurate, comprehensive data is a key component of an effective response to this outbreak.
For extra credit of up to 5 points towards your final grade, write a paper of 4 to 6 pages (plus references, etc.) discussing the impact of information availability on the handling of this crisis. Specifically, address issues like the following:
How has the ability to accumulate information about the spread of the virus been impacted by the availability of Electronic Health Records? Have countries with EHRs been able to do a better job tracking the disease, or has it made a difference? Do such factors as ICD-10 coding impact the accuracy of information collected?
What barriers exist in smoothly accumulating the necessary information to accurately measure the spread of the disease in the US? What are some popular tracking models and how are they getting their data?
How does public reporting of prevalence and trends from scientific sources compare with reporting done by popular media (including social media)?
Are current syndromic surveillance policies and practices adequate to track outbreaks like this one, or should they be revised or enhanced?
You may have questions of your own to answer in addition to those noted above.
Your response to these questions will necessarily include your opinions. These opinions should be factually based, and should include authoritative references in support of your statements. Your paper will be evaluated based in large part on the support you give for statements you make, rather than the statements themselves. For example, you may believe that EHRs are of great value in addressing this crisis, or you may believe that they make it harder to achieve the needed results. Either opinion may have merit, but it must be supported by facts, and must quote references. References may include published authoritative sources, and may also include the results of interviews with authorities such as epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists, academics specializing in a relevant field, or the like. (“My uncle knows a doctor” is not an acceptable reference.)
This is a completely optional assignment, and you do not need to do it. If you decide to submit this paper, you must inform me by email that you intend to do so, and you must submit the paper no later than May 8, 2020 at midnight.
Good luck with the assignment. Let me know if you need clarification.
Mr. Oakes
