HEALTH INFORMATICS

Programme overview

Health informatics and Information Governance are emerging disciplines concerned with the knowledge, skills and tools that enable information to be managed and used to support the delivery of healthcare and to promote health. In the ‘digital’ era this increasingly involves the application of electronic information and communications technologies; often referred to as eHealth. These also encompass numerous non-technical issues such as effective data governance, quality improvement and managing change. The programme is modular and may be studied at Certificate, Diploma and MSc level.

At certificate level all students study core health informatics courses. At Diploma level it is possible to specialise by selecting specific options in either Health Informatics or Health Information Governance. This specialisation can be continues to MSc level with completion of a subject relevant dissertation resulting in an MSc in Health Informatics or Health Information Governance.

Programme aims

The aims of the programme are to:

• Empower participants through the development of advanced skills and knowledge in:
  • the management of information in healthcare and
  • the role of emerging information and communications technologies
• Equip participants with an understanding of the technical, social, regulatory and management issues involved in delivering health informatics effectively and its role in improving patient care and public health.

To this end, students taking this programme will expect to:

• acquire a depth and breadth of knowledge of the principles of health informatics and/or health information governance
• develop skills in the critical appraisal, assessment and use of information and information systems to support knowledge management and service delivery
• be able to apply those skills in strategic planning for the design, delivery and evaluation of health information and technology initiatives.

Target group

The programme specialising in Health Informatics is designed primarily for working health professionals and people working in the health sector who wish to use informatics effectively in their usual role, although it will also be of interest to those with backgrounds in applied healthcare technology, health information management/policy and health services research. The programme specialising in Health Information Governance professionals, is designed for managers, clinicians and other staff working in health and social care in the UK and in other countries.

Health Informatics FAQ's

View our Frequently Asked Questions for the Health Informatics Programme here >>

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