HIPNET - Health Information and Publications Network

Dissemination Group - Meeting Notes - 2/20/04

Next Meeting: conference call, tentatively on Thursday March 11, 2004 from 11am-12 noon

Notes:
In particular, please see the initial action(s) noted for each item. Additions, corrections, and updates welcome.

• Collaborative dissemination (marketing)
  • A collaborative mailing of informational materials on CA publications and other information resources related to a topic area. Suggested initial market was USAID PHN officers and other international development professionals in donor agencies. Perhaps the first mailing could contain info on HIPNET publications and other information resources (CD-ROM was suggested) related to FP/HIV integration. Laura will contact Steve Goldstein to see if this could fit under the FP/HIV integration HIPNET initiative. It was noted that descriptions of resources would contain standardized information or format. Action: Laura Lorenz/MSH will write up a brief description of this possible initiative and potential impact and costs.
    Needed: HIPNET logo; approval from INFO project; commitment from several CAs to participate.

  • A collaborative mailing of actual publications and other information resources to 900 developing-country libraries, members of APLIC, in 40 countries. Resources could possibly include books, periodicals, manuals, CD-ROMs, and information on Web resources.
    Action:
    i) Beth Robinson/FHI will write up a brief description of this initiative and potential impact and costs.
    ii) Beth, if possible, could you please send a suggested outline of the brief write-up, so we can provide consistent information on these ideas? You came up with some great ideas off the top of your head in our conversation...
    Needed: HIPNET logo; approval from INFO project; commitment from several CAs to participate.

  • CD-ROM of collected materials from HIPNET CAs. (Did anyone volunteer to develop a brief description of this activity?) Might be an appropriate INFO project deliverable.
    Needed: further discussion; approach INFO project with the idea; buy in from several CAs.
    Action: On hold until activity has a "champion."

  • HIPNET-maintained mailing lists for such audiences as USAID PHN officers; WHO field libraries; UNFPA field libraries and country offices; libraries in medical schools, schools of public health, and training institutions; project directors of major CAs; country offices of CAs; a central RH contact in the MOH of USAID-assisted countries; an HIV/AIDS contact in MOH of same.
    Action(s):
    i) identify a champion for this initiative
    ii) secure a source of funding to establish and maintain initiative
    iii) determine software platform
    iv) recruit CAs to submit current mailing lists.
    Needed: approval and direction from INFO project re moving forward.

• A HIPNET publications clearinghouse, or Web portal for viewing/ordering/requesting information resources. As initially conceived, the portal would house standardized information on member information resources. The portal could include ordering function that links to each CA, is forwarded to individual CAs, or is processed centrally. One example of this type of publications clearinghouse is www.safeyouth.org. One question is where would this portal be housed--on the RH Gateway site?
  Actions:
  i) group members to check with decision-makers regarding their support for this idea;
  ii) John Robinette/JHUCCP to explore the idea with Ward Rinehart and write up brief description if given the go-ahead to continue developing the idea.
  ii) John to send links of sample sites to group members

• Collaborative distribution of HIPNET member publications and other information resource materials. This could be a central warehouse and distribution center for HIPNET members, and particularly for their publications funded by USAID.
  Actions:
  i) Heather Johnson/JHUCCP to confer with INFO project decision-makers re interest in moving this idea forward
  ii) if approved for next step, Heather will write up a brief description of the idea
  iii) Heather to finalize distribution survey and send to CA members as initial data gathering step on current distribution practices and needs

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