What Is Health Informatics?

What is Health Informatics?

Health Informatics (HI) is the study of how health data are collected, stored and communicated. HI is the intersection of clinical, information management/information technology (IM/IT) and management practices to achieve better health. It is an interdisciplinary field that will prepare individuals with knowledge and skills to contribute to further work in this field.

What does Health Informatics involve?

HI involves the application of information technology to facilitate the creation and use of health related data, information, and knowledge. Health informatics enables and supports all aspects of safe, efficient and effective health services for all Canadians.

What will I learn as a Health Informatics student?

As a HI student, you will learn:

·  How data are processed into health information suitable for administrative and clinical decision making

·  How computer and telecommunications technology can be applied to support health care processes

Students also learn to identify what information and data are needed by doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, government planners and other health care professionals and how they are used in order to make effective health care decisions.

What can I do with a degree in Health Informatics?

A ten part series on “What you can do with your degree in Health Information Science” has been produced by the University of Victoria and is available on Youtube in the following links:

·  Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llt2_RvE85g

·  Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_96z453kSEo&feature=related

·  Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C__hnunv2_8&feature=related

·  Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EDB9DA89co&feature=related

·  Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o8YghCZnMY&feature=related

·  Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJ-5Ud8nps&feature=related

·  Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVlQyiZ-qRk&feature=related

·  Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm_wmEWq6xE&feature=related

·  Part 9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujVxASGUN98&feature=related

·  Part 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1jDDliQRNg&feature=related

What kind of work will I do as a Health Informatics professional?

Health Informatics professionals develop and deploy information and systems solutions, drawing on expert knowledge from fields such as computer science, information management, cognitive science, communications, epidemiology, management sciences and health sciences. As a Health Informatics professional, you may be involved in the design, development, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of:

·  Electronic patient record systems (regionally, provincially, territorially or nationally);

·  Evidence-based clinical decision support systems;

·  Case management systems (e.g., for community, home and long-term care);

·  Patient monitoring systems (e.g., computer controlled bedside monitors and patient home monitoring devices);

·  Telehealth technologies to facilitate and support remote diagnosis and treatment; and

·  Internet technology for engaging patients in their own care.

References

COACH: Canada’s Health Informatics Association. (2011). About Health Informatics, Retrieved February 23, 2011, from http://coachorg.com/health_informatics

University of Victoria School of Health Information Science. (2011). What is?, Retrieved February 23, 2011, from http://hinf.uvic.ca/whatis/whatis.php

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