ALX Foundations: Milestone 3 Worksheet

Instructions: Provide responses to all items in the orange boxes. The worksheet
consists of Sections A-E. Work on this worksheet one section at a time throughout
your week, and return to Canvas after each section for the next set of content and
further instructions.

SECTION A: Problem Statement

Step 1: Your GCGO

Which Grand Challenge or Great Opportunity (GCGO) do you want to play a part in addressing?
(Pick one.)

As a reminder, the GCGOs are:

● Urbanization
● Education
● Infrastructure
● Healthcare
● Climate change
● Governance
● Job creation
● Agriculture
● Natural resources
● Arts, culture, and design
● Tourism
● Empowerment of women
● Regional integration
● Wildlife conservation

GCGO: Healthcare
Step 2: Describe Your Problem

You are going to take a first pass at briefly describing your chosen problem. This can be any
problem that speaks to you, as long as it is a real-life occurrence that is clearly linked to your
chosen GCGO, that occurs in a certain place and for certain people (and/or animals), and that it
can be clearly defined.

For example, if you chose wildlife conservation as your GCGO, you might first state your chosen
problem as:
There are very few white rhinos left in Kenya and they are in danger of going extinct.

Another example, if you choose infrastructure as your GCGO:

Residents of major cities in South Africa endure prolonged periods without electricity, significantly
hampering their ability to generate income.

Note that this is just your first attempt to state the problem, and you don’t need to quantify the
problem yet. In order to get to your official problem statement (which does need to be
quantifiable) first answer the following questions. The more specific your answers, the better.
You may also ask Google, Wikipedia, , ChatGPT, and/or other reliable online sources to help you.
Please be sure to cite (give credit to) any sources that you use.

Describe your problem using What/Who/When/Where/Why/How….

1. What is the problem? What is reality like because of this problem? What will reality be
like if the problem continues?

The problem is the lack of standardized healthcare records in Libya, making it difficult
to find generational diseases or access accurate medical records.
The reality is that healthcare records are poor and fragmented, leading to challenges in
the continuity of care, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patient's health
conditions.
If the problem continues, the reality will be continued inefficiencies in healthcare
delivery
(source )
2. Who does this problem impact, directly and indirectly? Who contributes to the problem?

This problem impacts patients directly as they face challenges in receiving appropriate
and continuous healthcare.
Indirectly, it affects healthcare providers, researchers, and public health officials who
require accurate and comprehensive medical data for their work.
The problem is contributed to by the lack of standardized systems and infrastructure
for healthcare records in Libya, as well as limited resources, care and capacity to
implement and maintain such systems.
(Source)

3. When did this problem begin? When does it occur?

The problem likely began due to historical challenges in healthcare infrastructure and
resource allocation in Libya after the dictatorship.
It occurs consistently as patients seek healthcare and face difficulties in accessing
comprehensive medical records.

4. Where is this problem occurring? What is the context in which it occurs?

This problem is occurring in Libya, where the healthcare system lacks standardized
electronic health records (EHR) or other comprehensive systems for maintaining and
sharing patient information.
The context includes limited resources, infrastructure challenges, and a fragmented
healthcare system.

5. Why is this a problem? What are the pain points or gaps? Why do you personally care
about this problem?

This is a problem because it hampers effective healthcare delivery, continuity of care,

research, and public health efforts.
The lack of standardized healthcare records creates gaps in patient care, increases the
risk of medical errors, and inhibits the ability to identify and address generational
diseases.
Personally, this problem is significant because it directly impacts patient well-being and
safety.

6. How would reality be different if this problem were solved? (This can be your opinion.)

If this problem were solved, reality would be different as there would be standardized
and comprehensive healthcare records in Libya. This would enable better continuity of
care, improved patient safety, more accurate diagnoses, enhanced research
 capabilities, and better public health initiatives. Patients would experience smoother
healthcare experiences, and healthcare providers would have access to reliable and
complete medical information for informed decision-making.

Step 3: Understand and Quantify Your Problem

Next, you will conduct some basic web research to better understand, define, and quantify your
problem. You will do this through a combination of Google search, Wikipedia, credible web
sources, ChatGPT or other AI research tool, and your own synthesis of information from these
sources. Be sure to give credit to your sources, and paraphrase (use your own words) rather
than quoting directly.

7. What is the historical context for this problem? What happened in the past that
contributes to the problem now?

The historical context for the lack of standardized healthcare records in Libya can be
attributed to various factors. One significant factor is the political instability and
conflicts that the country has experienced in recent years.
Libya has faced periods of civil unrest, government transitions, and armed conflicts,
which have disrupted and hampered the development and implementation of robust
healthcare infrastructure and systems.

8. What are the possible economic (money-related) reasons why this problem exists and
continues?

Economically, limited resources and funding allocation to the healthcare sector can
contribute to the problem. Inadequate financial investment in healthcare infrastructure,
including electronic health record systems, can hinder the establishment of
standardized and comprehensive healthcare records.

9. What are the possible political reasons why this problem exists and continues?

Doctors tend to protect their image by providing excessive numbers of patients they
have treated, but not the numbers who died or who were infected or suffered other
consequences because of their malpractices. Many managers and administrators
deliberately hide significant data so they will not exposed to criticism and only provide
data that may generate incentives for them rather than helping to improve the quality of
 services and care to the public. Hospital management does not support data collection
because it could demonstrate their inability to run the hospital efficiently.

10. What cultural beliefs and/or social norms possibly contribute to this problem?

Cultural beliefs and social norms may also play a role in contributing to this problem.
For example, privacy concerns and cultural attitudes toward sharing personal health
information might create resistance to the implementation of comprehensive
healthcare record systems. Additionally, cultural norms that prioritize traditional
methods of record-keeping or oral communication of medical history may hinder the
adoption of standardized electronic health records.

11. Who are the people potentially responsible (directly or indirectly) for creating and/or
maintaining this problem?

Responsibility for creating and maintaining this problem can be attributed to various
stakeholders. This includes government authorities responsible for healthcare policy
and infrastructure development, healthcare providers and institutions that have not
prioritized the implementation of standardized record systems, and external factors like
conflicts and geopolitical dynamics that have disrupted the healthcare system's
stability and development. It is important to note that addressing this problem requires
collective efforts and collaboration among all relevant stakeholders.

Now that you have the preliminary information you need, you’ll continue your web research to
find some numbers, or quantifiable information, to help describe your problem:

What numerical data can you find that is relevant to your problem? Be sure to use your own
words and also cite (give credit to) your sources.

Example 1:
According to Chat GPT, there are about 880 white rhinos currently living in Kenya. This population
is very small, and they are critically endangered.

Example 2:
Johannesburg has approximately 5.8 million residents (per ChatGPT) and had approximately 4.7
million international overnight visitors in 2019 (according to the South African Tourism Annual
Report for 2019/2020).
 12. Approximately how many people (and/or animals) are directly impacted by this
problem? Explain.

Due to the lack of data collection in Libya, The exact number of people directly
impacted by the lack of standardized healthcare records in Libya is challenging to
determine. However, it can be assumed that a significant portion of the population
seeking healthcare services is directly affected.

13. Approximately how many people (and/or animals) are indirectly impacted by this
problem? Explain.

Indirectly, a broader range of people are impacted by this problem. This includes
healthcare providers who face challenges in delivering optimal care and making
informed decisions without comprehensive medical records.

14. What other numerical data can you share that is relevant to your problem? What can
you find out about its size and scope? What can be measured? (For example, the
amount of trash produced in Nairobi each day, the number of people without access to
clean water, etc.)

In terms of numerical data, it is difficult to provide specific figures regarding the size
and scope of the problem in Libya. However, relevant data could include:

- The proportion of healthcare facilities with electronic health record systems

- Patient satisfaction surveys
- Healthcare data-sharing rates
- Research publication rates

Step 4: Describe Your Solved State

Without having to come up with how to solve the problem, describe what the desired, solved
state looks like. Please use numbers wherever possible, and make your solved state specific
and measurable.

Example 1:
There would be a population of 10,000 healthy and protected white rhinos living in the wild in
Kenya.
Example 2:
All 5.8 million residents of Johannesburg would have affordable and consistently available power
from clean energy sources, 99.5% of the time.

15. If the problem were addressed/solved, what would reality be like?

1) A comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system implemented

nationwide: All healthcare facilities in Libya would have a standardized
electronic health record system in place, ensuring the capture, storage, and
exchange of patient information in a consistent and interoperable format.
2) 100% coverage of population: The EHR system would cover the entire population
of Libya, ensuring that every individual's medical history and health information
are accurately recorded and accessible.
3) Seamless data sharing and interoperability: The EHR system would facilitate
seamless data sharing among healthcare providers, allowing for efficient and
secure exchange of patient information across different healthcare settings.

16. Are there other benefits that would come from your problem being solved? Name at
least one.

1) Improved patient safety

2) Reduced healthcare costs due to more efficient processes
3) Enhanced public health surveillance and response capabilities
4) Increased opportunities for medical research and innovation.

Step 5: Clarify Your Problem Scope

You are more effective at solving a problem when you know where its limits are. That is, when
you know what is “in scope” and “out of scope.” For this reason, it is important to list what is out
of scope, or NOT included as part of your problem definition.

Example 1:
The scope of the problem does not cover any other animal species besides white rhinos. It does
not include white rhinos outside of Kenya.

Example 2:
The scope of the problem does not include any businesses or people outside of the
legally-defined Johannesburg city limits. It does not apply to tourists or visitors staying for less
than 1 year in Johannesburg.

17. What is NOT in scope for your problem?

1) Countries outside of Libya

2) Infrastructure development: The problem definition does not cover the
implementation of physical infrastructure required for healthcare record
systems, such as servers, networking equipment, or data centers.
3) Interoperability with external systems: While the interoperability of healthcare
record systems with external systems (e.g., insurance providers, laboratories,
pharmacies) may be important, it is not directly within the scope of the problem
definition.
4) Public awareness and education: While public awareness and education about
the benefits of standardized healthcare records may be crucial for successful
implementation, they are considered out of scope for the specific problem
definition.

Step 6: Areas for Learning

What do you not know or understand that you would like to know more about? This can be
anything related directly or indirectly to your problem. Let your curiosity run wild!

Example 1:
I’d like to know where most of the demand for rhino horn is coming from. I’d like to know who are
the primary buyers and who is behind the trafficking of rhino horn. I’d like to know how long the
average rhino’s lifespan is. I’d like to know how many babies a typical female rhino has, and how
many babies typically survive into adulthood. I’d like to know more about what diseases impact
rhinos. I’d like to know more about the kinds of habitats that rhinos thrive in. I’d like to understand
what international organizations do the best job supporting wildlife conservation and what their
practices are. I’d like to know what models of community involvement have been most successful
in keeping wildlife safe and thriving. I’d like to understand how much land is available in Kenya for
rhinos to roam.

Example 2:
I’d like to better understand the utility company Eskom and its history. I’d like to understand why
Eksom has failed to plan properly to update its infrastructure. I’d like to understand the
relationship between Eksom and the South African government. I’d like to know if there are private
utility companies providing competition to Eksom. I’d like to know what the latest breakthroughs
are in solar power. I’d like to know what other possible energy sources might be made available in
Johannesburg. I’d like to know how much energy tourists and temporary visitors use. I’d like to
better understand the process of how limited energy supply gets allocated to people and
businesses. I’d like to better understand the economic impact to people and businesses of not
having power.

18. What else would you like to know or understand better? (It can be anything related to
your problem.) List 5-10 things.

1) I’d like to know why a proper system wasn’t created already

2) I want to know why most people prefer paper-based systems here
3) What are the existing healthcare record-keeping practices
4) I want to know if something like this was implemented before and how did it go
5) How many hospitals would be willing to do this?
6) Would it have unforeseen problems?
7) Could maybe AI be implemented to guess future healthcare concerns?
8) What measures are being taken to ensure the privacy and security of healthcare
records in Libya?
9) Are there any existing regulations or guidelines in place to protect patient
information?
10) Are there any limitations in terms of technology, internet connectivity, or access
to electronic devices

Step 7: Problem Statement

This step is the culmination of all you have done in Part A. You will synthesize the work you have
done above to create a problem statement of 150 - 250 words. This should be in narrative form,
2-4 paragraphs, and should NOT use bullet points.

Your problem statement should:

 ● Provide a succinct description of the problem in the first sentence.
● Indicate specific population affected
● Explain the impact (cost, time, environmental, personal) and why the problem matters.
● Explain what reality would look like if the problem were solved. The gap that exists
between present reality and the desired outcome should be clear.

Please cite (give credit to) where your information came from directly in your statement. Avoid
word-for-word quoting and instead paraphrase (use your own words), as modeled in the
example. Also list your sources and their urls (web addresses) at the end.

Example :
Kenya’s white rhinos are in critical danger of extinction. There are currently about 880 white rhinos
in the country of Kenya, per Wikipedia. According to Chat GPT, Rhinos are considered a keystone
species, meaning they have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem compared to
their population size. Rhinos help shape their environment by influencing vegetation growth and
acting as seed dispersers, which creates habitat for other species (per ChatGPT).

The extinction of white rhinos would have cascading effects on other plant and animal species in
their habitat. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service, rhinos’ presence in reserves and parks bring
millions of tourists each year, contributing to local economies and supporting conservation
efforts. Once a species goes extinct, it is gone forever. The extinction of rhinos would represent
the loss of millions of years of evolutionary history, and unique genetic diversity that science has
yet to fully understand and benefit from (per ChatGPT).

My problem would be considered solved when the population of wild, white rhinos in Kenya
reaches 10,000, and when all imminent threats to their population including poaching and habitat
destruction are not present. If this were the reality, it would create ecosystem balance, create
large revenues from ecotourism, preserve important cultural symbols, and allow for genetic
diversity that could benefit humanity in ways we may not yet fully understand.

Sources:
Kenya Wildlife Services Annual Report 2017, https://www.kws.go.ke/content/annual-reports
ChatGPT, https://chat.openai.com/
“White Rhinoceros”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_rhinoceros
19. My problem is statement is:

The lack of standardized healthcare records in Libya is a pressing problem that directly
impacts the population seeking healthcare services in the country. The absence of a
comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system hampers the accuracy,
accessibility, and continuity of patient information, resulting in significant challenges
for healthcare providers and patients alike. The impact of this problem is far-reaching,
affecting the quality of care, patient safety, and overall healthcare outcomes.

Currently, healthcare facilities in Libya rely on disparate and inconsistent methods of

record-keeping, including paper-based systems and fragmented digital databases. This
lack of standardization leads to incomplete medical histories, difficulties in sharing
information between healthcare providers, and disruptions in continuity of care.
Healthcare professionals face significant obstacles in making informed decisions,
leading to potential medical errors, duplicated tests, and delays in diagnosis and
treatment. Patients experience frustration, diminished trust, and compromised health
outcomes as their medical information is not consistently accessible or accurately
documented.

The desired outcome is a nationwide implementation of a standardized EHR system

that covers the entire Libyan population. In this solved state, healthcare providers
would have seamless access to accurate and comprehensive patient records, enabling
them to make informed decisions, deliver personalized care, and improve patient
outcomes. Researchers and public health officials would have access to reliable
healthcare data for analysis, leading to evidence-based policies and improved
population health. The implementation of standardized healthcare records would
bridge the current gap, transforming the healthcare landscape in Libya and ensuring the
delivery of efficient, effective, and patient-centered care.

20. Please list all sources that you used to form your problem statement:

- Comprehensive assessment of Libya’s health information system 2017 (here)

- Libya Electronic Health Records Market Analysis (here)
- Health data in Libya……… Inadequate and misleading (here)
- Libyan Health Information System (here)
 Please go back to Canvas and continue with your learning content. You will
be prompted on when to return to complete Section B.

SECTION B: Research Questions & Hypothesis

IMPORTANT: Complete this section AFTER completing the Canvas Modules Asking Effective
Questions and Web Research.

Step 8: Research Questions

Based on what you have learned so far and on ‘Step 6: Areas for Learning’ from this worksheet,
come up with 3 research questions. Research questions should be complex enough that they
can’t be answered by a single Google search. If appropriate, form a hypothesis that your
research may confirm or reject. (As a reminder, a hypothesis is a prediction of how you think
your research will answer your research question. It is your best guess. If you truly have
absolutely no idea, state “not applicable.”)

Example Research Question #1:

What are some ways can we increase rhino populations?
Hypothesis:
Rhino populations will be increased by creating more open spaces for them to roam, increasing
their protection, increasing international interest in them, and other reasons I have yet to uncover.

Example Research Question #2:

Which organizations have been effective at wildlife conservation and what practices do they use?
Hypothesis:
Not applicable; I don’t know.

Example Research Question #3:

How many babies can a typical female white rhino have in her lifetime, and what are the reasons a
female may not have high fertility?
Hypothesis:
A typical female white rhino can have 5 babies in her lifetime, and fertility may be affected by diet,
amount of grazing territory, poaching, stress, mate availability, and other reasons I have yet ot
uncover.
 21. Research question #1:

What are the key barriers and challenges hindering the implementation of standardized
healthcare records in Libya?

Hypothesis (if applicable):

The research may reveal that the main barriers to implementing standardized
healthcare records in Libya include technological limitations, inadequate healthcare
infrastructure, financial constraints, lack of interoperability, and insufficient data privacy
and security measures.

22. Research question #2:

What is the number of EHR systems already incorporated and what were the problems
with them?

Hypothesis (if applicable):

Not applicable

23. Research question #3:

What are the perspectives and experiences of healthcare providers and patients in
Libya regarding the need for standardized healthcare records and their potential
benefits?

Hypothesis (if applicable):

The research may reveal that healthcare providers recognize the importance of
standardized healthcare records in improving patient care, reducing medical errors, and
enhancing efficiency. Patients may express the desire for accurate and accessible
medical information, seamless continuity of care, and increased involvement in their
own healthcare decisions.
 Please go back to Canvas and continue with your learning content. You will
be prompted on when to return to complete Section C.

PART C: Peer Activity Report

IMPORTANT: Complete this section AFTER completing the Canvas Lessons “Hub Activity:
Problem Statement” and “Hub Activity: Web Research.”

Peer Activity #1: Problem Statement

Please report on your process of getting peer feedback.

24. Who reviewed your problem statement (item #19)? (Give the first and last names of
your 2 peers.)
Joseph Zakher
Rugwiza Jean Luc

25. In brief, what feedback did they give to you?

The idea is very thorough and specific about the targeted problem as well as very
applicable.

26. Was their feedback useful to you? Did it feel kind? Why or why not?
The feedback was useful as it made me more confident in my chosen problem and
solution.
The feedback felt very kind and sweet as they used positive and kind words

27. Who did you give feedback to? (Give the first and last names of 2 peers- they may be
the same or different peers from above.)
Joseph Zakher
Rugwiza Jean Luc

28. Do you feel that you gave useful and kind feedback to your peers? Why or why not?
Yes, I gave my peers constructive criticism using the sandwich method, giving the
positives, then some suggestions for improvement and lastly the things they did right
 After you updated earlier parts of the worksheet based on your feedback,
please go back to Canvas and continue with your learning content. Return to
Part E prior to submitting your milestone.

PART D: Daily 3 Challenge Report

Please answer the following questions honestly. There are no wrong answers! This is your
opportunity for self-reflection.

29. How many days out of the past 7 did you do 20 minutes of movement?
I was able to do 2 out of the 7 days, as i got extremely ill and ended up going to the ER

30. How many days out of the past 7 did you write 3 morning pages?
I wrote for 5 out of the 7 days, those were the 5 days I spent at home

31. Overall, how do you feel you are doing on building your Daily 3 habits? Explain.
I feel good about having a goal, it was challenging to keep them up and I wasn’t able to
properly do it at times, but it’s motivating to have a goal and try to work towards it every
day.

32. What is your biggest barrier to staying motivated?

When I have other things going on in my life and other priorities I tend to deprioritise
myself.

33. If you have been practicing at least some movement and/or morning pages:

A) What effect (if any) have you noticed on your mood, focus, and productivity?
My mood mostly has gotten better, the morning pages helped get alot of my thoughts
out of my head and that gave me a clearer head.

B) What helps you stay motivated?

Remind myself of the benefits and that my health is a priority too

34. If you haven’t been practicing any movement and morning pages, what would motivate
you to get started?
A group doing them together or checking on each other everyday
Once you have completed this worksheet, export/convert to .pdf, rename it per the
instructions, and upload to Canvas as your Milestone 3 Submission. Celebrate a job well done!