Informatics Workforce to Support the Data Modernization Initiative: Assessment and Capacity Building at a State Public Health Agency

A workforce that is skilled in informatics and data science is critical to achieving the objectives of the Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) in public health. The Minnesota Department of Health conducted an informatics workforce assessment in December 2022. The survey captured information in 5 domain areas and across 6 proficiency levels (no knowledge to expert) with an estimated 15-20 minutes to complete. In all of the 5 domains (performing assessments and leading advancements of health information systems; data exchanges and systems interoperability; data and IT governance; data analytics, visualization and reporting; implementation, development and management of systems), the staff who identified themselves at expert proficiency was <3% and as advanced was approximately 10%. Staff with awareness/basic/intermediate proficiency were interested in trainings. University course work (51.8%) followed by online modules (33.4%) were common modes of prior trainings. The staff also identified desired trainings that spanned across various tools/skills (e.g., SQL, R, Tableau, HL7, Rhapsody, REDCap) along with informatics and interoperability overview. These findings will be utilized to offer trainings to interested staff and collaborations with university have been initiated.