Author Archives: andreasilva

SMS-SP VHL: results and prospects

The SMS-SP VHL achieved significant results in 2024, consolidating itself as a benchmark in the management and dissemination of information and knowledge in public health. With the creation of new content, the portal updated regularly, the production and availability of new Experience Reports and the strengthening of the Windows of Knowledge, in 2025 the project will rely on more training activities and expanded access to scientific and technical information, reaffirming its strategic role.

Main results of the SMS-SP VHL in 2024 and prospects for 2025

The SMS-SP VHL has made significant progress, especially in 2024, in implementing the technical cooperation project with BIREME and PAHO/WHO, promoting improvements in access to information and support for the Secretariat’s technical teams. The project, which will be concluded in July 2025, has consolidated its contribution to improving the services offered. Below we highlight the main initiatives of the year and the prospects for the future, which are under discussion with BIREME and the Secretariat.

Regular maintenance and updating of the portal

New content and sections have been created, such as the “How to Search?” page, which offers practical and didactic guidance for users to explore information sources in the SMS-SP VHL. The “Sources of Information” section has also been updated, with the inclusion of specialized resources, such as Wolters Kluwer – Premium Basic Sciences, broadening the search options.

An online training course was held to qualify the team responsible for maintaining and updating the SMS-SP VHL portal, with a focus on improving skills for managing content on the WordPress platform. Conducted by BIREME’s technical and methodological support, the training covered the structure and functionalities of WordPress, management of dynamic and static content, as well as good practices for optimizing and organizing information. The training session was recorded and is available for participants to consult for future updates, promoting autonomy and ensuring the continuity of good practices in portal management.

Collaboration network and training activities

Throughout 2024, the SMS-SP VHL promoted various training courses to improve the technical skills of the professionals responsible for managing and updating information on the portal and in the databases. Around 20 professionals from different areas of the Secretariat took part, receiving training focused on recording and indexing information, organizing content and operating tools such as FI-Admin and WordPress. The training received positive evaluations from participants, who highlighted the clarity of the information, the practical application of the content and the interaction during the activities.

The strengthening of the Collaboration Network was driven by strategic technical meetings, such as those held to plan the migration of the SMS-SP VHL databases. These meetings, which brought together teams from SMS-SP and BIREME, were fundamental in aligning methodologies, ensuring the consistency of information and preparing the transition to a new data management structure. These initiatives reinforce the commitment to maintaining a reliable and up-to-date system, which is essential for the dissemination of scientific and technical health information.

A diagnosis was carried out with the support of the BIREME team to map and strengthen the “Control and Visibility of the Scientific and Technical Production of SMS-SP”. The main objective was to assess the situation of the SMS-SP VHL Network Cooperating Centers, as part of the strategic planning of actions for the current 2024-2025 biennium. It identified the need to expand the dissemination and registration of productions, ensuring greater transparency and accessibility. Professionals from various technical areas contributed suggestions for highlighting the scientific production of each sector, improving access to external databases and promoting greater training in the use of the SMS-SP VHL.

Experience Reports

Also in 2024, SMS-SP made significant progress in planning and organizing Experiences Reports, reaffirming the importance of recording and disseminating good practices in health management. The Reports developed during the year covered various topics, such as regional planning strategies, actions aimed at caring for vulnerable populations and innovative initiatives in health services.

These records not only enriched the SMS-SP VHL database, but also promoted the sharing of strategic knowledge, strengthening SMS-SP’s commitment to efficient management focused on the continuous improvement of the services provided. Inspired by the event “1º Planeja Saúde: Encontro do Sistema de Governança em Planejamento em Saúde”, new productions were conceived, highlighting significant regional experiences that will now be transformed into structured reports to increase their applicability and impact.

With BIREME’s methodological support, the reports were developed collaboratively, including textual organization and the production of videos with technical and visual quality. By being published on the SMS-SP VHL portal and the SMS-SP Professional Channel, these reports not only document the practices carried out, but also promote the sharing of knowledge, inspiring new approaches and reinforcing the role of knowledge management in strengthening Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS).

Windows of Knowledge

The Window of Knowledge of the Multiprofessional Residency Commission (COREMU) was one of the highlights of the year. Developed collaboratively, the Window of Knowledge centralizes essential information about COREMU SMS-SP, including its structure, the eight Residency Programs and actions aimed at producing and disseminating knowledge. Its aim is to present the academic, administrative and pedagogical management of the Commission, as well as to share experiences, proposals and knowledge produced in the field of Health Education. Through collaborative work, the Window of Knowledge seeks to highlight initiatives that transform realities and strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS), promoting integration between teaching and practice in public health. COREMU SMS-SP.

Prospectives for 2025

The final year of Phase III will be marked by strategic actions. Meetings to align the goals for 2025 are already scheduled, with emphasis on the expansion of training activities and the publication of new content in the SMS-SP VHL.

There are plans to develop a new Window of Knowledge on “Pain Management” and to hold face-to-face workshops to train teams in the development of new Windows of Knowledge.

With the two Experience Reports currently being finalized and two new ones scheduled for early 2025, the initiative continues to strengthen the sharing of knowledge and transformative experiences within the Unified Health System.

With the continued support of BIREME/PAHO/WHO, the SMS-SP VHL continues to be an essential tool for knowledge management in health, promoting innovation, equitable access to information and cooperation between professionals in the São Paulo municipal health network, as well as being a reference initiative for the Organization’s technical cooperation at local and national levels.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/01/20/sms-sp-vhl-results-and-prospects/

BIREME, LILACS, VHL

Health information VHL networks and webinars 2024

In 2024, the program “Strengthening Health Information Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean (LA&C)” became an important initiative consolidated by BIREME with the Virtual Health Library (VHL) Network to share information, knowledge and good practices among professionals and institutions in the region.

The program included 23 thematic sessions, divided into four main lines:

VHL Network: Strengthening the management of Virtual Health Libraries. With 6 sessions, 1,015 connections, 16 countries and 9 speakers.
Reference Network: Training for the production of scientific evidence. With 5 sessions, 545 connections, 17 countries and 7 speakers.
Good Practices in the Editorial Processes of LILACS Scientific Journals: Improving editorial practices. With 6 sessions, 740 connections, 18 countries and 8 speakers.
Indexing Documents according to the LILACS Methodology: Training in document indexing. With 6 sessions, 670 connections, 15 countries and 5 speakers.

Technical sessions with the MedCarib Network: Training held in English and focused on Caribbean countries. With 4 sessions and an average of 25 connections, 5 countries and 4 speakers.

Throughout the year, 29 expert speakers shared their knowledge and experience in sessions that reached more than 2,261 connections, representing a broad participation of professionals from 18 countries in the region. In 2024, the program will also offer specific sessions for Caribbean countries with English as their official language.

Outreach on Latin America and the Caribbean

The consolidated data below reflects the reach of the 2024 webinar program. With a wide range of topics and guest experts, the sessions reached a significant audience of health professionals throughout the region, standing out for the number of connections registered and the active participation of various countries. Check out the details.

Links to recordings and materials

The recordings of all the sessions held in 2024, as well as the materials presented, are available for accessing the content and, therefore, for delving deeper into the topics discussed in the thematic axes:

With a significant scope and highly relevant themes, the program reaffirms BIREME’s commitment to strengthening health information networks in the Latin American and Caribbean region. The calendar of activities for 2025 will shortly be published in the BIREME Bulletin and on social networks.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/01/19/health-information-vhl-networks-and-webinars-2024/

BIREME, VHL MS

BIREME and the Ministry of Health Library that celebrates 71 years

On November 25, 2024, the Ministry of Health Library celebrated 71 years of work on behalf of public health with a special ceremony in Brasilia. The event brought together authorities, professionals and partners who have helped consolidate the institution as a reference in the dissemination of technical and scientific information on public health in Brazil.

The ceremony highlighted the contributions of leading professionals who have played important roles in the Library’s trajectory. In addition to the individual tributes, BIREME was also recognized for its historic partnership with the Ministry of Health, represented by Director João Paulo Souza and librarian Joanita de Barros.

For Director João Paulo Souza, the tribute reinforces the importance of the joint work between the institutions. “The Library of the Ministry of Health and BIREME share a trajectory that has transformed access to public health information in Brazil and in the region. This recognition not only values the past but renews our commitment to continue democratizing knowledge in order to strengthen health policies and services,” he stated.

Photo: Communications Office, Ministry of Health of Brazil.

Program and tributes

The ceremony included speeches by authorities such as the executive secretary of the Ministry of Health, Swedenberger do Nascimento Barbosa, and the general coordinator of Documentation and Information at the Ministry of Health, Eva Patricia Alvares Lopes. The tributes recognized personalities who have marked the Library’s history and reinforced impactful institutional partnerships.

During the ceremony, professionals who have marked the history of the Ministry of Health Library for their significant contributions were highlighted. Among those honored was Antônio Agenor Briquet de Lemos, a pioneer in the management of the Library’s collection and responsible for innovative initiatives such as the Informação para Saúde newsletter. Also recognized was Marcia Rollemberg, creator of the General Coordination of Documentation and Information, who played a key role in setting up the Virtual Health Library Network at the Ministry of Health.

Another highlight was Eliane Santos, whose technical leadership was recognized as essential to the development of the Ministry of Health’s Virtual Health Library (MoH’s VHL). She currently works as a regional advisor on knowledge management at PAHO/WHO. Finally, Shirlei Corrêa Rodrigues was honored for her dedication as the Library’s manager and for important initiatives such as the creation of the BiblioSUS Network and the enhancement of the institution’s cultural heritage.

In addition to the honored people, BIREME was recognized with a commemorative plaque, celebrating its historic contribution to strengthening the MoH’s VHL and other projects that expand access to public health information.

The program also included a round table discussion on the Library’s history. During the debate, experiences on health information and communication management were shared, highlighting BIREME’s strategic role in regional and global projects.

For Director João Paulo Souza, this was a moment to celebrate the Library as an entity that contributes decisively to the materialization of the ideals of the SUS, while at the same time celebrating “our shared mission to democratize access to health information in order to strengthen our system and services”.

Commitment to the future

The celebration of the 71st anniversary of the MS Library was not only a retrospective, but also a milestone to reinforce the commitment to innovation and expanding access to health knowledge. “Health information is an essential pillar for promoting equity, and the partnership between BIREME and the Ministry of Health Library will continue to generate positive impacts for society as a whole,” concluded João Paulo Souza.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/12/19/bireme-and-the-ministry-of-health-library-that-celebrates-71-years/

BIREME, RIPSA, VHL

RIPSA portal: advances were presented at the 31st Inter-Agency Workshop

On December 5 and 6, 2024, the 31^st Inter-Agency Workshop of the Inter-Agency Health Information Network (RIPSA, in its Portuguese acronym) was held in Brasilia. Held in the Carlyle Guerra Auditorium, at the office of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Brazil, the event brought together presentations of recently developed products, with discussions on their development for 2025 planning.

The work was led by the RIPSA Technical Secretariat, represented on the occasion by Paulo Sellera, Director of the Department of Monitoring, Evaluation and Dissemination of Strategic Health Information (DEMAS) of the Ministry of Health (MS), Marizelia Leão, representing the National Council of Municipal Health Secretariats (Conasems), Felipe Ferré, representing the National Council of Health Secretaries (Conass) and Alexander Rosewell, representing PAHO Brazil. The event was attended by Ana Estela Haddad, Secretary of Information and Digital Health (SEIDIGI/MS), who acknowledged the dedication of the members and the success of the work achieved in this first year of resumed activities.

Throughout the two-day program, the Indicator Management Committees (CGI) shared the status of the development and updating of the indicators for 2024, as well as the progress of the qualification forms. Representing BIREME, librarian Juliana Sousa presented the new qualification forms portal, highlighting it as an essential tool for the organization and dissemination of health indicators. The new platform was developed by BIREME in partnership with DEMAS/MS and was praised by the participants for its strategic contribution to strengthening health policies in Brazil.

Portal improved with technology and quality

During her presentation, Juliana Sousa demonstrated in detail the development of the API and plugin that integrate the portal with the Indicator Management Module (MGDI) of the DEMAS system. This technological integration will make it possible to publish the qualification forms on the RIPSA portal, optimizing the process and ensuring greater efficiency.

Another highlight was the progress made in standardizing the qualification forms, which now include additional fields aimed at scientific publication and the description of digital content. Among the new elements are institutional authorship, DOI (Digital Object Identifier), translated title, references, citation guidelines, Creative Commons licenes and Research Organization Registry (ROR) identifiers. “This evolution reflects RIPSA’s commitment to the quality and standardization of information, in line with international best practices, ensuring greater accuracy and accessibility,” emphasized Juliana Sousa.

Next steps and planning for 2025

Besides the presentation, the workshop also provided space for strategic discussions on the Product Operational Planning (POP) for 2025. Among the proposals is the creation of an exclusive log-in space for RIPSA members, which will facilitate the collaborative development of documents and the sharing of materials in a secure environment.

With the final adjustments for publishing the portal in production, BIREME is reaffirming its role as a protagonist in the innovation of tools that support public health in Brazil and Latin America. It is expected that the advances and new resources will be presented at the 32^nd Interagency Workshop, scheduled to be held in the first half of 2025.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/12/19/ripsa-portal-advances-were-presented-at-the-31st-inter-agency-workshop/

BIREME, PAHO

BIREME and PWR Brazil: cooperation agreements of the 2024-2025 biennium

BIREME’s Strategy 2023-2025 aims to guide information products and services for action in health, with an emphasis on the use of scientific evidence for decision-making, focusing mainly on four areas:

Strengthening the capacity of lay people and communities for health-related decision-making;
Strengthening professional decision-making capacities;
Supporting the development of evidence-based health policies; and
Supporting health research.

According to Director João Paulo Souza, the strategy presented aims to “strengthen technical support for health professionals, policy makers and communities, ensuring that they have access to reliable and timely information for effective health interventions”.

To achieve these objectives, the Center relies on several of the Terms of Cooperation (TC) under development with PAHO/WHO Brazil and on sources of funding through global projects, such as with the World Health Organization. In the current 2024-2025 biennium, BIREME continues to cooperate with the following TC established between PAHO/WHO Brazil and the Ministry of Health, considering:

TC91/TA2 – Increased production, use and access to scientific evidence in decision-making processes and policy making in the context of the Unified Health System (SUS).

TC93/TA1-4 – Improvement of BIREME (annual contribution from the Ministry of Health).

TC95/TA6-9 – Improvement of the Management of the Executive Secretariat of the Brazilian Ministry of Health – Brazil VHL- SE/MS.

TC140/TA2 – Improvement of the Management of the Executive Secretariat of the Brazilian Ministry of Health – Economy of Health VHL – SE/MS.

TC157/TA1 – Strengthening and Qualifying the use of health information and digital transformation in the SUS.

The development of products and services in the context of each TC is monitored by BIREME in fortnightly project management meetings coordinated by the Director of the Center with the technical and administrative teams. In addition, biannual meetings are held with the national counterparts to validate the results achieved. The biannual reports are published by PAHO Brazil and are available for public access.

About the TCs

The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), through its Country Offices and Centers, including BIREME/PAHO/WHO, operates in the countries of the Region with technical cooperation programs and projects that formalize and operationalize the dissemination of information, sharing of experiences and ensure transparency and control of resource management by means of technical and financial reports. The Terms of Cooperation are among the instruments most used by the Organization to consolidate this practice, as well as Agreements and Contracts aligned with institutional policies and processes.

BIREME/PAHO/WHO continues to develop and improve products and services that help improve the quality of production, access and publication of scientific and technical information and evidence in health for all the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean Region.

In coordination with the PAHO/WHO country offices and counterparts, the Centre develops projects to achieve health results at the organizational, national and international levels, through specific TCs or Agreements with different counterparts. With the government of Brazil, whose main counterpart is the Ministry of Health [1], TCs are made possible through PAHO/WHO Brazil.

Further information on About the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information – PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization.

[1] The Ministry of Health is a permanent member of BIREME’s Governance Committees, Advisory and Scientific Committees, which provide recommendations for improving and strengthening BIREME’s regional technical cooperation results, including those related to national priorities.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/11/11/bireme-and-pwr-brazil-cooperation-agreements-of-the-2024-2025-biennium/

BIREME, PAHO, WHO

Stanford Ranking: João Paulo Souza is among the 2% of most cited scientists in the world

João Paulo Souza, Director of BIREME/PAHO/WHO, was recently recognized among the 2% of the world’s most influential scientists in a study conducted by Stanford University and published by Elsevier. The global analysis assessed the impact of 6.8 million researchers from various fields, considering standardized metrics such as the h-index and the hm-index adjusted for co-authorship. This recognition coincides with the second year of his tenure at the head of BIREME, a period in which the institution has adopted a new strategy to intensify its mission of democratizing access to scientific health information.

João Paulo Souza’s academic career, which precedes his work at BIREME, stands out for its contribution to studies on the life cycle, with emphasis on women’s health in the period related to pregnancy, the result of research carried out with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the University of São Paulo (USP).

PAHO/WHO notes that “research is indispensable for solving public health challenges”, and the impact of João Paulo’s publications reflects this mission to raise health standards”. And in this sense, “the recognition of the Director as one of the most cited scientists in the world is a further expression of the evolution he brings to BIREME’s history as a PAHO/WHO Specialized Center in the essence of its mission,” stated Silvia de Valentin (Administrative and Project Manager at BIREME) in an internal communication to collaborators about João Paulo’s research and recognition.

PAHO actively promotes the generation and use of health research, serving policy makers, health workers and the general public. This work focuses on strengthening health policies and advancing towards universal health through knowledge dissemination, as well as establishing international standards and guidelines.

About Stanford’s “Top 2%” Scientists

Stanford University “Most Influential Scientists” ranking identifies the scientists with the greatest scientific impact of their work globally. This ranking includes the top 2% of the most cited scientists in their fields. The evaluation is based on the frequency with which their research is cited and the prestige of their publications. In its seventh edition (2024), data from 22 areas of science and 174 sub-areas were analyzed, covering 6.8 million researchers.

References

Stanford Ranking – PLOS Biology

August 2024 data-update for “Updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators” – Elsevier BV

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/11/11/stanford-ranking-joao-paulo-souza-is-among-the-2-of-most-cited-scientists-in-the-world/

BIREME, VHL Indigenous People

Indigenous Health with BIREME and SESAI: new alignments and priority actions

In order to strengthen the development of the Indigenous Peoples VHL (IP VHL), BIREME/PAHO/WHO intensified its cooperation with the Ministry of Health’s Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI) by holding a series of technical and strategic meetings in September and October 2024. The meetings consolidated new guidelines and targets for the activities of Technical Cooperation Term 93 (TC93), which focuses on increasing the visibility of Brazil’s actions, policies, strategies, research and projects related to Indigenous Health.

Besides BIREME technical teams involved in the production and implementation of the project’s activities, the meetings were attended by representatives of the counterpart, reinforcing the joint commitment to increasing the visibility of Brazil’s actions, policies, strategies, research and projects related to Indigenous Health. Some of the themes highlighted in these sessions included a revisit to the user survey carried out by BIREME in the DSEI Cuiabá in 2022, which was a dialogue with communities in indigenous territories, an essential strategy to ensure that the content and resources of the IP VHL meet the users demands, reflecting their realities and culture.

Technical and management meetings: main advances and deliberations

For the IP VHL portal, a series of collaborative activities and workshops between technical teams, consultants and counterparts have been driving the development of the Portal. On August 21, a meeting was held to review and align development activities for the new IP VHL portal, with representatives from Fiocruz, SESAI and PAHO Brazil.

This meeting also included an analysis of the steps already delivered and planning for the continuity of activities. As part of the strategic decisions, it was agreed that indigenous artists would be included in the portal design process to ensure that the graphic representations were appropriate and representative of indigenous peoples.

In September, activities progressed with a series of workshops focused on specific aspects of the portal’s development. On September 3, the 1^st Workshop on aligning and redefining personas took place, with a collaborative dynamic to identify the portal’s user personas. Thirty-four personas were identified, four of which were considered priorities for the project: indigenous health managers, indigenous health workers, indigenous and non-indigenous researchers, and indigenous and non-indigenous students.

The 2^nd workshop, held on September 12, focused on redefining the portal users’ problems, using design thinking techniques to transform these needs into solvable challenges. According to Juliana Sousa, Development Supervisor at BIREME, it is an effective approach to structuring a prioritization matrix by urgency and importance, organizing the 10 main groups of problems into activities aimed at advancing the portal.

On September 29, the teams took part in a virtual management meeting attended by Giovana Cruz Mandulão, General Coordinator for Knowledge Management, Information, Evaluation and Monitoring at the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (CGCOIM/SESAI), BIREME Director João Paulo Souza, as well as the leaders and technical focal points of the counterparts and PAHO, under the coordination of Verônica Abdala. “I would like to start by congratulating the whole team. I don’t think we have made this much progress since the last time I took part in the workshop, and it’s gratifying to see how far we have come. Our entire GC team has been dedicated, recognizing the importance of this work for the Indigenous Health Secretariat. And we see how the creation of this VHL is also key to building SESAI’s memory, something we miss very much, and which will be of great value to the current and future administrations,” began Giovana Mandulão.

On the same occasion, the Director of BIREME, João Paulo Souza, highlighted the initiative under development for the World Health Organization’s Traditional Medicines Global Library (TMGL) and the possibilities of integrating information on Brazilian indigenous medicines with this global platform under construction. “We have a historic opportunity to be represented on this platform, as Brazil’s IP VHL, since its first launches,” said João Paulo Souza.

Finally, a face-to-face meeting was held in Brasilia on October 29, 2024, with the teams representing CGCOIM/SESAI, including Mariana Castilho and Mairu Kuady, as well as Akemi Kamimura from PAHO/WHO Brazil, Verônica Abdala and Angélica de Paula from BIREME. The agenda included three meetings: the first focused on reviewing and aligning the activities of the Work Plan, presenting BIREME’s products that can support the fulfillment of the goals and defining priorities. Next, it dealt with updating the Work Plan, highlighting the need for a term to adjust goals and expected results and the flow of information between the Ministry of Health and SESAI. Finally, it addressed the WHO’s global action to strengthen traditional health practices, discussing the inclusion of Brazilian indigenous medicine in the Traditional Medicines Global Library and the possibility of a workshop with indigenous knowledge holders to ensure adequate representation of traditional knowledge.

Next steps

As recommendations, the teams decided:

Launch of the Indigenous Peoples VHL Portal: Scheduled for December 2024, the portal will offer a comprehensive platform for accessing information on indigenous health.
Implementation of a governance structure: To ensure the quality and continuous updating of the VHL collection, a governance structure will be established.
Expansion of survey with health workers: Survey with indigenous health workers will be expanded to include different regional contexts in order to identify and meet specific needs.

These efforts reaffirm BIREME and SESAI’s commitment to promoting indigenous health in Brazil, emphasizing the importance of information and knowledge as pillars for strengthening health practices among indigenous peoples.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/11/11/indigenous-health-with-bireme-and-sesai-new-alignments-and-priority-actions/

BIREME, MedCarib, VHL

BIREME technical sessions with MedCarib Network

In the second semester of 2024, in coordination with the MedCarib Network, BIREME has being leading a series of technical sessions aimed at the public in English-speaking Caribbean countries that occurred with the active participation from Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and, Trinidad and Tobago among others. More than 80 participants have engaged across all sessions.

The sessions had welcome words from Victoria Cruickshank-Taylor, Regional Coordinator of the MedCarib Network, João Paulo Souza, Director of BIREME, and Verônica Abdala, Information Sources Manager at BIREME and the whole team of BIREME. Marcia Barretto, IT Coordinator of BIREME, facilitated all the sessions as she is the focal point for technical cooperation with the Caribbean. The fifth technical session will be included in the 2025 calendar already being planned.

Date

Title

Presenter

July 23^rd

Indexing documents using LILACS Methodology.

Target audience: Librarians and information professionals who contribute to the MedCarib and LILACS databases

Sueli Suga

[BIREME/PAHO/WHO]

August 20^th

Good Practices in the Editorial Process of Scientific Journals: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the editorial process of scientific journals.

Target audience: Editors of scientific journals and members of the editorial team.

Ana Heredia

[Consultant]

October 1^st

Indexing documents according to the LILACS Methodology: Exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence and DeCS/MeSH 2024.

Target audience: Librarians and information professionals who contribute to the MedCarib and LILACS databases.

Ana Cristina Campos, Luciana Piovezan, Sueli Suga

[BIREME/PAHO/WHO]

October 29^th

Reference Librarian Network (RefNet) and the exchange os experiences and skills between librarians to support users in finding, accessing, and applying technical and scientific information to make evidence-based decisions.

Target audience: Librarians and information professionals who contribute to the MedCarib and LILACS databases.

Rosemeire Rocha Pinto

[BIREME/PAHO/WHO]

This initiative is part of BIREME’s 2024-2025 Biennial Work Plan (BWP), aligned with its Strategy 2023-2025 – Towards 4.0 Information Products and Services, and aims to strengthen the MedCarib Network and the Caribbean Virtual Health Library (VHL), improving the access to scientific and technical health information produced in and about the region.

Check out the recorded presentations and more information on the webpage “Strengthening Health Information Networks in Caribbean Virtual Health Library (VHL) 2024“.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/11/11/bireme-technical-sessions-with-medcarib-network/

BIREME, DeCS, LILACS, PAHO, VHL

CD61: BIREME hosts a booth at PAHO to showcase products and services

BIREME, the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information, is hosting a booth during the 61st PAHO Directing Council (CD61), from September 30 to October 4, 2024, in Washington, D.C., United States, at the Organization’s headquarters. The session, which brings together health ministers and other sector leaders from across the Americas, is ideal for BIREME to highlight its innovations in digital health and its strategic projects developed in technical cooperation with the countries of the region.

BIREME’s booth is located at the entrance of PAHO Headquarters and presents an immersive experience for participants, with the use of two large format LED screens. “On these screens, we are projecting provocative questions aimed at stimulating reflection on the capacity for disseminating information in countries’ health systems,” said BIREME director João Paulo, who is taking part in the event. “These are questions that can support our technical and political dialog with country representatives, demonstrating how technical cooperation with BIREME is capable of improving access to health information, both for the health system and services, as well as for professionals and citizens.”

Seven questions to assess your health system’s information dissemination capacity

1. How effective is your health system at providing rapid access to accurate health information for professionals and citizens?

2. Are national health guidelines and protocols easily accessible to frontline professionals and decision-makers?

3. Does your health system use data and research to identify and address gaps in the dissemination of health information?

4. Is your country’s scientific and technical knowledge more evenly distributed, from rural areas to urban centers?

5. Is your health system prepared to respond quickly to the most frequently asked questions by health professionals?

6. How does your health system identify priority areas for investment in research and innovation?

7. How does your health system provide citizens and professionals with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions?

New hotsite displays information related to BIREME Strategy 2023-2025, main health information products and services available and highlights from the Technical Cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean Countries.

BIREME Strategy 2023-2025: hotsite highlights projects and products

BIREME is also presenting a hotsite designed to complement the visitor’s experience at the booth. The hotsite presents visually appealing content aimed at authorities and participants from PAHO Member States, providing access to essential information about BIREME’s Strategy 2023-2025, as well as the products, services, and projects that have been accelerated by advanced digital technologies and an agile management approach.

“At the booth of BIREME during CD61, users can also pick up bookmarks printed with QR codes that will direct visitors to the new hotsite, allowing them to explore the work carried out by BIREME in more detail, even after the event,” said Verônica, who is also attending the event in person.

The hotsite highlights the main axes of the BIREME Strategy 2023-2025, which focuses on the transition to information products and services 4.0, aligned with the digital frontiers, such as artificial intelligence applied to health and the use of big data. This strategy drives BIREME’s mission to provide reliable scientific and technical information essential for health decision making at both national and regional levels.

The page also highlights the institutionality of BIREME and its technical cooperation with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), highlighting the ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of health systems to disseminate information and the regional participation of these countries in the Governance of the Center. “This collaboration is essential to increase the impact of public health interventions and ensure that scientific information and knowledge reach health professionals and users in the countries,” said Silvia de Valentin, BIREME’s Manager of Administration, Programs and Projects.

Among the main information products and services already available on the hotsite are:

Virtual Health Library (VHL), one of the largest and most visited health information platforms in the Region;
LILACS, the leading bibliographic database in Latin America and the Caribbean, with more than 1 million scientific records;
DeCS/MeSH, a fundamental tool for indexing documents and promoting interoperability among health databases;
Second Formative Opinion (SOF), which helps health professionals resolve clinical questions based on the latest scientific evidence.

BIREME and strategic partnerships

During the 61st Directing Council, BIREME reaffirmed its position as a vital link between national health systems and access to scientific information. “Our mission is clear: to strengthen health systems in the Americas through the dissemination of high-quality, actionable information. Partnerships with ministries of health and other institutions are essential to ensure that this mission is fulfilled,” said João Paulo Souza, Director of BIREME.

During the session, BIREME is also promoting a series of live demonstrations of its digital tools, encouraging the use of platforms such as the Virtual Health Library (VHL) for evidence-based decision making. “At the booth, visitors can explore the services offered by BIREME and learn more about how these solutions can directly impact health information management in their countries,” emphasizes Verônica Abdala.

For Director João Paulo Souza, BIREME’s presence at the 61st PAHO Directing Council reaffirms its commitment to innovation, collaboration and strengthening health systems through the dissemination of reliable information. Digital transformation and new technological frontiers are now a reality that BIREME is embracing to create a more informed and healthier future for all.

Please click here to visit the BIREME digital booth hotsite.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/10/08/cd61-bireme-hosts-a-booth-at-paho-to-showcase-products-and-services/

BIREME, Traditional Medicine Global Library, WHO

Advances on the development of the Global Library of Traditional Medicine

On September 11 and 12, BIREME Director João Paulo Souza participated in a global technical meeting organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the Department of Digital Health and Innovation on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in traditional medicine. The meeting, hosted by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi, India, brought together 60 participants from 15 countries to discuss how AI can contribute to the dissemination and safe use of traditional health practices.

The program included strategic topics that support and advance the development of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), which is coordinated by BIREME. “The TMGL is a specialized digital library designed to promote health and well-being by providing access to scientific and technical information on traditional, indigenous, complementary and integrative medicines for health professionals and practitioners of traditional medicine, policy-makers, researchers and the general public,” said João Paulo Souza, Director of BIREME.

In addition to being a repository of this information, the TMGL will enable the registration of specialized scientific journals, local scientific, technical and policy productions, as well as the confidential deposit of traditional knowledge, with the aim of protecting the intellectual property of this knowledge by indigenous populations and local communities. This is a joint project of two specialized centers, BIREME and the WHO Global Center for Traditional Medicine (GTMC).

Agile development

According to the Director of BIREME, it is important to note that TMGL is BIREME’s first information product being developed using the Scrum approach. “In this agile approach, development takes place in a participatory, incremental and user-centred way, with monthly releases of new features,” says Souza. Version 0.1 (alpha) will be launched on 31 October 2024, and the first full version (1.0) will be launched during the WHO’s Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, scheduled for November 2025.

The TMGL will consist of a global portal, six regional portals for the WHO regions and 194 country-specific pages. According to the project, this structure will allow information on traditional, indigenous, complementary and integrative health practices to be integrated with conventional health practices, providing an accessible global platform based on scientific evidence. “The Scrum approach allows the library’s content and functionalities to be built with the active participation of a community of users and testers, ensuring that regional and cultural needs are respected,” the Director emphasised.

Artificial inteligence applications

In João Paulo Souza’s view, “the future of information products will be largely conversational, interactive and largely audiovisual”. In this sense, BIREME’s research and development activities have advanced in the use of Large Language Models (LLMs), which allow a more natural and easier interaction with scientific and technical information. As BIREME’s developments are consolidated, they will be integrated into the Virtual Health Libraries and the TMGL.

These technological innovations and other methodological approaches will help to link ancestral knowledge with current health practices in an effective, safe and culturally appropriate way. Two focus discussion groups were held during the meeting in India to gather input from participants and define technical specifications that will be incorporated into the next versions of the TMGL.

Southeast Asia Regional Portal

In addition to his participation in the technical meeting, BIREME’s Director visited the WHO Regional Office for Southeast Asia (SEARO), where he met with the region’s focal point for traditional medicine, Dr. Pawan Godatwar, and Ms. Maki Kajiwara and Mr. Manjeet Saluja, from the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC). The meeting aimed to discuss the development of the TMGL regional portal for Southeast Asia, one of the first regional portals to be implemented, alongside the Americas portal.

Invitation to the global community of users and testers

During the mission, João Paulo Souza also reiterated the invitation to global partners to join the TMGL Community, a group of users and testers who will have early access to the platform to provide feedback on its functionalities and content. The community has been invited to visit the website currently under development [click here to access], where they can follow monthly updates and participate in the project’s evolution. “The creation of this community is fundamental to ensure that TMGL meets the expectations and needs of its users, while respecting the regional and cultural specificities of each country,” he said.

The development of TMGL materializes BIREME’s digital transformation efforts, with advanced products and agile processes. According to the director, “digital transformation has two components: digital technology and agile work processes. The development of TMGL seeks to shape the digital transformation of technical cooperation, with the development of an information product centered on the needs of these projects, with incremental deliveries, and in an agile and participatory manner.”