When it comes to patient healthcare data, both health informatics (HI) and health information management (HIM) play important roles in improving patient outcomes and optimizing healthcare operations. These essential yet distinct disciplines deal with patient data, although they have different focuses, responsibilities, career outcomes and required skills. Understanding these differences is key to helping you choose the career path that best aligns with your strengths and interests.

Health informatics blends technology and healthcare by designing the computer systems used for healthcare data management. These systems are used to track, store and send healthcare data safely and effectively. Health informatics deals with multiple kinds of data, such as patient data, clinical data, public health data and data from wearable medical devices.

Health informatics looks at the big picture of medical databases, rather than handling and managing patient data on a personal scale. It tracks data related to disease outbreaks in order to better manage public health and monitor trends in different populations. This field is important because by looking at large data sets, health informatics can reveal insights to improve patient care and better inform disease prevention efforts. 

Whereas health informatics deals with many kinds of data, health information management deals solely with patient healthcare data. Health information management tracks, stores and secures patient data such as their test results, medical history, diagnoses and treatment plans. HIM also manages personal information such as the patient’s address, date of birth and contact information.

The health information management industry is important for the safety and protection of personal information when patients access medical care. Because most healthcare data today is stored electronically, HIM professionals spend a lot of time using technology, although some medical records are kept as paper records. 

There are some important differences to understand in health informatics vs. health information management when it comes to skills, career opportunities and education requirements. Understanding these differences can help you determine why health information management or health informatics could be a better suited career choice for you.

Skills for Health Informatics vs. Health Information Management

Health informatics and health information management differ in their core focus and skill requirements. 

The main difference between health informatics vs. health information management careers is how patient data is used. Health information management careers focus on organizing and handling patient data, while health informatics careers use database systems. Researching the jobs available within both disciplines can help you decide which degree may be best for your career goals.

Careers in Health Informatics

There are many career opportunities within health informatics. Some of the professional jobs you may be able to pursue with a degree in health informatics are:

• Computer and information systems manager: A computer and information systems manager maintains and manages all computer-related systems and operations within an organization.  
• Computer systems analyst: Working as a computer systems analyst involves finding ways to improve efficiency and create new processes for computer systems.
• Information security analyst: Security is vital when dealing with patient healthcare data. Information security analysts create and monitor security systems for computer networks.   
• Computer and information research scientist: Technology is constantly changing and developing thanks to computer and information research scientists. They work to create innovative systems for computer technology.
• Computer network architect: Data communication happens over computer networks designed and implemented by computer network architects. They help to create intranets, wide area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs).
• Database architect: Databases are designed and built by database architects. These professionals ensure that data is accessible, secure and backed up.  
• Software developer: A software developer starts by analyzing the needs of users and then develops software to meet those needs. They also recommend security updates, program upgrades and evaluate the use of new software.
• Software quality assurance analyst and tester: Computer system updates must be tested to ensure that they are working properly. Software quality assurance analysts and testers work out bugs in the software and implement updates based on the data they measure.
• Data scientist: Data scientists test and analyze datasets to find information and insights. They use data analysis and visualization tools to communicate their results to stakeholders within organizations.  

Careers in Health Information Management

Career opportunities for health information management include:

• Medical and health services manager: Working as a medical and health services manager involves overseeing staff members and ensuring all laws and regulations related to patient data are being observed.
• Medical records specialist: Medical records are compiled and coded by medical records specialists to ensure that billing and insurance reimbursement are processed accurately.
• Health information technologist and medical registrar: These IT professionals develop and design the electronic healthcare systems that medical professionals use to provide treatment to patients. 

Although health informatics and health information management are related fields, the educational background requirements have different focuses. Health informatics will typically require a degree in a data- or technology-related field, such as data science or information technology. Health information management professionals can benefit from a degree in health information management or health administration. Business degrees may also be relevant for HIM professionals.

The degree requirements for careers in health informatics vs. health information management will depend on the role and the hiring organization’s requirements. Some positions require a bachelor’s degree, while more senior positions may require a master’s degree.^{(See disclaimer 2,3)}

If you’re drawn to the field of healthcare data management, a degree from Grand Canyon University can equip you with the technical knowledge, ethical foundation and confidence to prepare for your career. Our Master of Science in Health Informatics is designed to teach you applicable competencies in using data systems to improve patient care. If you are interested in HIM, our Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management can prepare you for careers involved in the processing, storing and tracking of electronic patient data.