Investigating Informatics Activity, Control, and Training Needs in Large, Medium, and Small Health Departments

A recent National Association of City & County Health Officials survey shed light on informatics workforce development needs. Local health departments (LHDs) of various jurisdictional sizes and control over informatics may differ on training needs and activity. Understanding the precise nature of this variation will allow stakeholders to appropriately develop workforce development tools to advance the field. OBJECTIVE: To understand the informatics training needs for LHDs of different jurisdictional sizes. METHODS: Survey responses were analyzed by comparing training needs and LHD population size. RESULTS: Larger health departments consistently reported having greater informatics-related capacity and informatics-related training needs. Quantitative data analysis was identified as a primary need for large LHDs. In addition, LHDs that report higher control of informatics/information technology were able to engage in more informatics activities. CONCLUSION: Smaller LHDs need additional resources to improve informatics-related capacity and engagement with the field.