Using clinical health data for better healthcare from Coursera

Digital health is rapidly being realised as the future of healthcare. While this is placing emphasis on the input of quality health data in digital records and systems, the delivery of safe and quality healthcare relies not only on the input of data, but also the ability to access and derive meaning from data to generate evidence, inform decision making and drive better health outcomes.

This course provides insight into the use of healthcare data, including an overview of best practices and the practical realities of obtaining useful information from digital health systems via the understanding of the fundamental concepts of health data analytics.

Learners will understand why data quality is essential in modern healthcare, as they are guided through various stages of the data life cycle, starting with the generation of quality health data, through to discovering patterns and extracting knowledge from health data using common methodologies and tools in the basic analysis, visualisation and communication of health data. In doing so, learners explore current healthcare delivery contexts, and future and emerging digital health data systems and applications that are rapidly becoming tomorrow’s reality.

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Identify digital health technologies, health data sources, and the evolving roles of health workforce in digital health environments

2. Understand key health data concepts and terminology, including the significance of data integrity and stakeholder roles in the data life cycle

3. Use health data and basic data analysis to inform and improve decision making and practice.

4. Apply effective methods of communication of health data to facilitate safe and quality care.

During this course, you will interact with learning content contributed by:

• Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre

• Australian Digital Health Agency

• eHealth NSW

• Sydney Local Health District

• The NSW Ministry of Health

• Health Education and Training Institute

• Clinical Excellence Commission

• Chris O’Brien Lifehouse

• Monash Partners / Australian Health Research Alliance

• Australian Research Data Commons

• Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network

• South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

• Western Sydney Local Health District

• Westmead Breast Cancer Institute

• Agency for Clinical Innovation

• Western NSW Local Health District

• Sydney Children’s Hospital Network

This course is a collaborative venture between NSW Health, the University of Sydney and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre, including dedicated resources from eHealth NSW, Health Education and Training Institute, and the Research in Implementation Science & eHealth group. While many learning resources and case examples are drawn from the NSW Health service context, this course has relevance for all existing and future health workforce, regardless of role or work context.

Note: Materials used are for learning purposes and content may not reflect your organisation’s policies. When working with data, make sure you act within the guidelines and policies of your organisation.

What's inside

Syllabus

An introduction to digital health

This module explores current digital health environments, identifying the many uses of digital health technologies and health data sources. We look at the evolving roles of the health workforce in digital health environments, considering roles and responsibilities. The importance of data analytics for decision making and healthcare outcomes is introduced. Note: Materials used are for learning purposes and content may not reflect your organisation’s policies. When working with data, make sure you act within the guidelines and policies of your organisation.

Everyone plays a role in health data

In this module, we review key health data concepts and terminology. We emphasise the importance of data integrity and the benefits and consequences of high or low quality data. We look at the data life cycle and the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in the provision of quality healthcare. There are some case studies illustrating the consequences of poor quality data and we also look at the fundamentals of digital health legislation and policy. Note: Materials used are for learning purposes and content may not reflect your organisation’s policies. When working with data, make sure you act within the guidelines and policies of your organisation.

Interpret health data - turn information into new insights

In this module, we look at the use of health data and basic data analysis to inform and improve decision making and practice. We explore some common methods and tools used in the analysis of health data. There is an opportunity to develop a data query and to practice working with data. Note: Materials used are for learning purposes and content may not reflect your organisation’s policies. When working with data, make sure you act within the guidelines and policies of your organisation.

Share and integrate data into practice

In the final module, we look at the various modes of communication appropriate for sharing the results produced by data analysis. We consider how effective communication of digital health data contributes to greater consumer engagement and well-being as well as more effective, evidence-based decision making within the healthcare system. Note: Materials used are for learning purposes and content may not reflect your organisation’s policies. When working with data, make sure you act within the guidelines and policies of your organisation.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops advanced skills in health data analytics, including data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation

Teaches best practices for managing and using health data to improve healthcare outcomes

Provides a comprehensive overview of the health data landscape, including emerging technologies and applications

Taught by experienced instructors from leading healthcare organizations and research institutions

Engages learners with interactive content, case studies, and hands-on exercises

May require some prior knowledge of health data concepts and statistical analysis

Reviews summary

Clinical data for better healthcare

Learners say this course is insightful and interesting, featuring excellent presentations. Many students highlighted the outstanding instructors and well-organized content. Key features include lectures by knowledgeable speakers, a practical focus, certificate, and a discussion forum. Enrollees noted some broken links and a slow peer review process. Overall, students strongly recommend this program for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their data skills.

Course includes useful, hands-on applications.

"Really good course"

"Great foundational content with practical applications."

"I love this course."

Content is engaging and well-structured.

"THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL COURSE"

"effective and well organized course."

"The course is quiet enriching with ideas"

Instructors are knowledgeable and provide excellent presentations.

"Teacher are excellent and the notes are so useful"

"well taught by the instructors"

"taught by extremely Sound & Competent Professor/s"

Peer review process can be slow.

"it takes too long to get peer-graded, so bad that students have to beg each other to be graded."

"The peer review process can be frustrating: some peer reviewers need training in marking papers based on the rubric."

Some links to readings are broken.

"Some contents are out of date, please revise the content and documents."

"Great foundational content with practical applications. The videos were informative with knowledgeable speakers. Some of the links to the readings do not work and need to be updated."

"The organization, resources and assistance provided on this course are rather poor."

Career center

Learners who complete Using clinical health data for better healthcare will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Health Data Analyst

A Health Data Analyst supports the analysis and interpretation of healthcare data. This may involve using statistical software to clean and analyze data, identify trends and patterns, and develop visualizations. This course can help you build a foundation in health data analytics, including the fundamentals of data analysis, visualization, and communication. You will also learn about the key concepts and terminology used in health data, as well as the importance of data integrity and quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Data Analyst

Clinical Research Associate

A Clinical Research Associate manages clinical trials, ensuring that they are conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. This may involve tasks such as recruiting and enrolling patients, collecting and managing data, and monitoring patient safety. This course can help you understand the role of data in clinical research, as well as the importance of data quality and integrity. You will also learn about the ethical and legal considerations involved in handling health data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate

Health Informatics Specialist

A Health Informatics Specialist uses technology and data to improve healthcare delivery. This may involve tasks such as designing and implementing electronic health records systems, developing clinical decision support tools, and analyzing healthcare data to identify trends and patterns. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Health Informatics Specialist, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Informatics Specialist

Epidemiologist

An Epidemiologist investigates the causes and patterns of disease in populations. This may involve collecting and analyzing data on disease outbreaks, conducting research studies, and developing public health interventions. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as an Epidemiologist, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Analyst

A Public Health Analyst uses data to identify and address public health problems. This may involve tasks such as analyzing data on disease outbreaks, conducting research studies, and developing public health interventions. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Public Health Analyst, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Analyst

Healthcare Consultant

A Healthcare Consultant provides advice to healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations and performance. This may involve tasks such as analyzing data on patient outcomes, conducting financial audits, and developing strategic plans. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Healthcare Consultant, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to solve business problems. This may involve tasks such as collecting and cleaning data, developing machine learning models, and visualizing data. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Data Scientist, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

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Biostatistician

A Biostatistician uses statistical methods to analyze data in the field of medicine. This may involve tasks such as designing and conducting clinical trials, analyzing data on patient outcomes, and developing statistical models. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Biostatistician, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

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Medical Writer

A Medical Writer creates written content for the healthcare industry. This may involve tasks such as writing patient education materials, clinical trial protocols, and scientific journal articles. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Medical Writer, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

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Quality Improvement Analyst

A Quality Improvement Analyst uses data to identify and address quality problems in healthcare. This may involve tasks such as analyzing data on patient outcomes, conducting root cause analyses, and developing quality improvement interventions. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Quality Improvement Analyst, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

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Health Educator

A Health Educator provides education and counseling to individuals and communities on health-related topics. This may involve tasks such as teaching classes on healthy eating, smoking cessation, and disease prevention. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Health Educator, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

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Healthcare Administrator

A Healthcare Administrator manages the day-to-day operations of a healthcare organization. This may involve tasks such as budgeting, staffing, and planning. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Healthcare Administrator, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

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Health Policy Analyst

A Health Policy Analyst develops and analyzes policies that affect healthcare. This may involve tasks such as researching health policy issues, writing policy briefs, and advocating for policy changes. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Health Policy Analyst, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

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Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

A Pharmaceutical Sales Representative sells pharmaceuticals to healthcare providers. This may involve tasks such as presenting product information, answering questions, and closing sales. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

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Medical Device Sales Representative

A Medical Device Sales Representative sells medical devices to healthcare providers. This may involve tasks such as presenting product information, answering questions, and closing sales. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Medical Device Sales Representative, including data analysis, visualization, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Device Sales Representative