Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics
A Flexible Approach to Learning
COURSE INFORMATION
CERTIFICATE OBJECTIVES
The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is designed to educate healthcare professionals to be effective developers, users and managers of health information resources. Health information is increasingly processed by computers and transmitted by communications technology. The course will provide an understanding of these information systems and their appropriate use within a healthcare setting. Students will learn to identify information needed by doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, government planners and other healthcare professionals and will understand how data is used to make effective healthcare decisions.
The objectives of the course are to provide graduates with:
- an understanding of various types of information systems used in healthcare contexts,
- an awareness of the role of hardware and software used in healthcare situations,
- an understanding of the system development life cycle, data and process modelling techniques and the skills to use these in the analysis of healthcare systems,
- an understanding of the roles of policy formulation and organisational change in the healthcare environment,
- the understanding and the skills required to develop healthcare related databases,
- an appreciation of situations where new technologies can be effectively utilised,
- the skills to evaluate health information systems successfully.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The normal requirement for admission is a three-year degree or a diploma with a major in a health-related area. Consideration will also be given to applicants with substantial experience and/or professionally relevant qualifications, and who are currently employed in a senior position in a health-related area.
GRADUATES & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of this course will be professionals:
- qualified to be involved in the identification, planning, implementation and use of computer-based information systems in all areas of the healthcare industry, including hospitals and government bodies,
- who envision the potential benefits of using computers and who want to work at the interface of technology and society in the area of healthcare and its delivery.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
The Certificate is taught using flexible delivery mode. Flexible delivery allows self directed learning, with the majority of the course being completed by students working from home, or at their workplaces. Many of the study materials are accessed through a personal computer. A range of media is used including the Internet, email, bulletin boards, online chat facilities, CD ROMs and printed matter as well as contact with academic staff.
WORKLOAD:
To complete the course in the minimum time of one year, students need to complete two subjects per semester. Successful completion of the course requires a high degree of commitment from participants. All students should spend a reasonable amount of time per week working through online study materials, tutorial exercises and discussions. Time needs to be also set aside for review of study materials and completion of assignments.
ASSESSMENT:
Assessment consists of essays, assignments and case study work. Students are required to present and discuss their assessment items with the subject lecturer/tutor via electronic communication - email, online chat, online discussion forum or telephone. Students are also welcome to visit their lecturer/tutor on campus by pre-arrangement. There is no on-campus requirement.
HARDWARE & SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:
To access the course materials students need a personal computer running MS Windows, MS Office and a web browser. Students also require Internet access via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) of their choice. Minimum hardware requirements are: 133 megahertz or higher Pentium, 2 gigabytes or higher hard disk, minimum 16 megabytes of RAM (32 megabytes recommended), monitor - 800 x 600 at 65,000 colours, 28.8k modem or better, sound card and CD ROM facility.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is a one year part-time course consisting of four semester-length subjects offered in the semesters indicated below:
Semester 1
CPE7601 Healthcare Information Systems
CPE7603 Contemporary Issues in Health Informatics
Semester 2
CPE7602 Developing Health Information Systems
CPE7604 Health Information Systems Management
Students may elect to complete only one subject per semester over two years of part-time study, in which case the course progression will be as follows e.g.
Semester 1
CPE7601 Healthcare Information Systems
Semester 2
CPE7602 Contemporary Issues in Health Informatics
Semester 3
CPE7603 Developing Health Information Systems
Semester 4
CPE7604 Health Information Systems Management
COURSE OFFERING BASED AT CLAYTON
The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is a program offered from a base at the Clayton Campus by the Faculty of Medicine, Health Informatics Education.
Health Informatics Education affects the integration of information technology into healthcare through a highly regarded research programme, collaborations with industry and government and a core teaching role within the Faculty of Medicine. Health Informatics Education has a commitment to excellence in medical informatics education and self-directed learning.
The Faculty of Information Technology offers the expertise and resources of the largest computing faculty in Australia and contributed to the development of course materials and early teaching within the course.
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