title: Scenario-based design: a method for connecting information system design with public health operations and emergency management.
abstract: Responding to public health emergencies requires rapid and accurate assessment of workforce availability under adverse and changing circumstances. However, public health information systems to support resource management during both routine and emergency operations are currently lacking. We applied scenario-based design as an approach to engage public health practitioners in the creation and validation of an information design to support routine and emergency public health activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using semi-structured interviews we identified the information needs and activities of senior public health managers of a large municipal health department during routine and emergency operations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interview analysis identified 25 information needs for public health operations management. The identified information needs were used in conjunction with scenario-based design to create 25 scenarios of use and a public health manager persona. Scenarios of use and persona were validated and modified based on follow-up surveys with study participants. Scenarios were used to test and gain feedback on a pilot information system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The method of scenario-based design was applied to represent the resource management needs of senior-level public health managers under routine and disaster settings. Scenario-based design can be a useful tool for engaging public health practitioners in the design process and to validate an information system design.
authors.affiliation: Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. breeder@uw.edu
authors.forename: Blaine
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reeder
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004630:Emergencies; D006298:Health Services Administration; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D007256:Information Systems; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012107:Research Design