Leading Health Information Management in Jamaica: An Evaluation of Policy and Practice

Participants from the four health regions were invited to participate in a study which focused on Leading Health Information Management in Jamaica. The purpose of this convergent-parallel mixed-methods study was to understand their views concerning how leadership was practiced in HIM, and the policies and procedures that guided the HIM practice. The interview results corroborated those of the survey and revealed a hybrid of leadership practices in HIM in Jamaica. The results highlighted a number of issues regarding leadership in the HIM practice; recruitment, retention, succession planning among HIM practitioners; and the policies and procedures guiding the practice. The results suggested that HIM practitioners, policy makers and academic leaders will need to work synergistically to address the issues raised and to revise the policies and procedures to reflect current practice. The results also suggested a need for more in-depth studies into HIM practices through the lens of leadership;and the introduction of leadership and professional development programmes to build the capacity of HIM leaders and to enhance the HIM practice.