Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics

A Flexible Approach to Learning

TESTIMONIALS: WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

HOW THE GRAD CERT AND GRAD DIP HAS HELPED ME!

"As health care is information intensive, the availability and integrity of health information is important in proper patient care. Health Informatics, though vast, is a largely nascent and rapidly evolving area that augments health care with its focus on health information. Common denominators in this field include something as simple as the components of a health information processing system, i.e. hardware, software, people, processes and data. Implementing information processing systems in a health care setting requires skills such as project management, process management, change management and conflict management. Privacy, confidentiality, security and standards are further themes. Also, once a health information system has been implemented, post-implementation evaluation is another required skill. These themes and skills apply internationally as much as they do in Australia.

Though new students may see many of the above concepts as nebulous, they are vital to all health information systems and will be encountered in the real world of health care; where information processing is crucial.

In my own experience (being involved in various Health Informatics projects from 1995, and as a student from 1999) I have found that as other Health Informatics courses emphasise many esoteric aspects of Health Informatics, the Grad Cert and Grad Dip, focus on the skills that equip you to be competent in these core practical areas. This affords you the opportunity to be employed in this rapidly growing profession in Australia or internationally, with confidence and a ñcan-doî approach."
Dr J Doulis, Dec 2001

"Reason I took this course: Exactly what I have been looking for, interested in IT, can relate it to work, need to keep up with IT or be left behind.  
Learning experience: Distance Education - a great idea due to work commitments. This course has excited and challenged me to explore areas of informatics where I probably would not have done so."
Dr Victor Chang 20/4/99

"I enrolled in the course after searching for quite some time for the "right" course. I found it in the Nursing Review at the last minute and after receiving the information from you, I just got in in time. I thought the course was well covered and sounded very interesting and appropriate for my work in nursing informatics. It has already helped me to understand so much about information management and the technology available.

I also needed to work from home as I work full time and have a family. It's hard but I'm enjoying it.

I found the CD very exciting to use, but took me awhile to get organised. I can't believe how much Internet access has been required though. I have the CD and Internet access at work and thought that I could do some in the day, but that doesn't seem to happen very often. The day is just too busy.

The course is well set out and the content is great. The technology made available or that is available is amazing."
Sheryl Davis 22/4/99

"I decided to enrol because

• Nurses have to keep studying, so why not study something that interests me?
• My frustration at a nursing at a nursing and management atmosphere that nurses don't need to know about computers. That's like surfing in the ocean and saying we don't need to concern ourselves about the tide coming in or out - it doesn't affect us
• Unique style of study - makes it possible to juggle work, family and study

The course is matching my expectation, it is more fun and less daunting than I expected.

The style of study is an excellent blend of solitary work, virtual and actual 'getting together'.

The CD is user-friendly."
Noel Wauchope 20/4/99

"I think the course is the way of the future in style of learning. Instead of reams and reams of articles and paper, the CD Rom is terrific. It is compact and easy to use (after some practice). It did take a little time to become familiar with using it and also in feeling comfortable learning from it, but generally it is very well produced. Sometimes I don't like the CD Rom because unlike a book, it is harder to find information when you can only look at things screen by screen. Nevertheless, the course is probably what I expected it to be if not better. I enrolled in it because I wanted to know more about computer use in a health care environment as opposed to eg. Small business which does not interest me. Computing courses are generally the same(ie word processing, Excel, Access, Powerpoint etc). As fas as I know this is the only health related informatics course being offered. There is certainly nothing here in New South Wales. I don't thin that has been thought of. The style of learning has also been educational in so far as emailing assignments and frequently connecting to internet sites. Congratulations to the entire team for all the planning and production of such a great course."
Louise O'Hara 22/4/9