Read time 9 minutes
Published on Aug 1, 2023
Read time 9 minutes
Published on Aug 1, 2023
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
If you’re passionate about healthcare and interested in information technology (IT), there are plenty of career options that might appeal to you. One such career path to explore is health informatics, which exists at the intersection of healthcare and IT. What is health informatics?
Health informatics is a specialty discipline that is concerned with the management of patient information via clinical information and clinical decision support systems and clinical databases. This specialty discipline encompasses various niche areas, such as public health informatics, consumer health informatics, clinical research informatics and clinical informatics. Continue reading to learn more about all the options within this field, including examples of health informatics subspecialty options.
From remotely monitored pacemakers to virtual reality simulations in medical schools, healthcare is rapidly becoming more digitized than ever before, with health informatics at the leading edge of this trend. What is health informatics exactly? Quite simply, health informatics is the blending of computer science, data science, data analytics and health information management with healthcare.
One of the main examples of health informatics in action is electronic health records (EHRs). In the past, healthcare providers kept track of patient information and medical charts using paper files. However, this system was slow, and it hindered efforts to share information with providers in other offices.
Today, most healthcare providers have switched to EHRs, which digitize patient information. An EHR can contain much more information than a patient’s medical history, however. These digital health records can be updated in real time to include details about the patient’s immunizations, treatment plans, medications, lab results and medical images. This not only facilitates greater collaboration among providers but also allows patients easier access to information.
In addition to public health informatics, many other subspecialties comprise the health informatics field. They are as follows:
These examples of clinical informatics subspecialty fields may inspire you as you reflect upon your intended career pathway.
Health informatics is a relatively new field, and different organizations may use different job titles for the same role. The following are some examples of that informatics professionals might consider pursuing within the field:
Now that you’re familiar with the answers to the questions, What is health informatics? and What are examples of clinical informatics? you may be curious about whether a career in informatics could be the right choice for you. Here’s a look at the top indicators that this subfield could indeed be a good fit for you.
What is informatics if not an embrace of advancements in technology? Advancements in technology have greatly impacted our world. By choosing to earn a healthcare informatics degree, you will have the opportunity to learn how to integrate information technology with healthcare. As a result, you can support continuous improvement in patient-care systems, project management, decision-making, quality assessment and healthcare system operations using innovative technology such as AI and machine learning. Some of the topics you will explore in this program include:
In the healthcare field, emerging technology provides an understanding of the value of health informatics and how it can reduce healthcare costs, increase access and improve the quality of healthcare services provided for patients.
For example, healthcare informatics can inform healthcare providers about medications before they prescribe them to patients. Not only does this protect the safety of patients, but it also reduces the potential for mistakes to be made when providing treatment. If you want to make a positive impact in patients’ lives, this may be the degree for you.
Upon graduating from a health informatics degree program, you will have been taught to take on a wide variety of roles, such as automating clinical care, building new operational data systems and training healthcare workers in the use of computer systems. In addition, you will have been taught the skills needed to collect and analyze data to improve patient care.
Some of the many settings you may find yourself working in include hospitals, primary care facilities, doctors’ offices or even consulting firms. Please note that additional certifications and/or training may be required outside of the degree program.
There is no one universal health informatics degree that all students aspiring to enter the field must earn. Rather, students can choose from a few options. For example, you might earn a Bachelor of Science in Public Health or a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management.
If you plan to focus specifically on public health informatics, then a public health degree could be the right choice for you. This program would allow you to acquire core competencies in both data science and healthcare. Although the specific curriculum will vary from one school to another, you can generally expect to study public health topics, such as the following:
Alternatively, you might decide to major in health information management. This type of program offers a stronger focus on data science, health information and computer science. A health information manager (HIM) plays a critical role in managing the patient information systems within healthcare organizations. Their role is multifaceted and intersects healthcare, information technology, and management. Key responsibilities typically include:
In essence, health information managers play a critical role in managing, protecting, and utilizing health information to improve patient care, streamline operations, and ensure regulatory compliance in healthcare settings. The role requires a unique blend of skills in health sciences, information technology, management, and law. Regardless of the specific degree you choose, you can further bolster your resume by seeking hands-on learning opportunities during your years in college. For instance, you could pursue summer job opportunities in healthcare settings. During the school year, you might consider volunteering on a part-time basis at a nursing home, hospital or similar organization.
Although you could break into the field with just a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in healthcare informatics presents you with the opportunity to position yourself for possible career advancement within healthcare organizations. The curriculum of a master’s program can vary, depending on the program you choose. However, you can generally expect to study the following topics:
Applying project management skills for the efficient deployment of new technology within healthcare organizations. With a master’s degree in health informatics, you will be taught ways to help your organization streamline its operations, improve patient outcomes, and make data-driven decisions.
Grand Canyon University aims to provide an exceptional academic experience for every student. If you would like more information about GCU’s nursing and healthcare programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program, the Bachelor of Science in Public Health and the Master of Science in Health Informatics program, visit the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions or fill out the form on this page.
Approved by the program director of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions on July 25, 2023.
