Health Informatics for Healthcare Professionals from Coursera

This course is best suited for individuals currently in the healthcare sector, as a provider, payer, or administrator. Individuals pursuing a career change to the healthcare sector may also be interested in this course.

In this course, you will have an opportunity to explore concepts and topics related to the design and management of health information systems.

After an introduction to the history and current status of information systems in healthcare, you will then explore the areas of information architecture, administrative and clinical applications, information retrieval, decision support systems, the electronic health record, key health information systems and standards. Throughout this course, you will be given the opportunity to evaluate your understanding through engagement in course discussions, application of course concepts to a course assignment, and through completion of content quizzes along the way.

What's inside

Syllabus

Health IT Enters a New Era

Technology has transformed the healthcare landscape in so many ways. From the origins of the patient record to the development of cloud computing technologies, to wearables and artificial intelligence, the purpose of data collection has evolved. In this module, we will explore the history of cloud computing and data science. As health information systems change, so does the need for more specialized health IT leadership roles within organizations. You will examine these different roles and unique responsibilities each has in the organization’s development and strategic planning process. By the end of this module, you will have a firm understanding of the history of health informatics and how these technologies have shape the healthcare landscape of the future.

Data Standards in Healthcare

As data collection in healthcare continued to grow and expand beyond simple storage and retrieval of basic information, the need for standardization across the healthcare industry became imperative. In this module, you will explore the three main types of data standards and the types of data vocabularies that are used throughout the healthcare ecosystem.

Data Sharing and Storage in Healthcare

In this module you will continue to learn about data standards, shifting focus to follow the various standardization initiatives such as FHIR and DICOM and how these initiatives were able to transform how healthcare data is presently stored. You will also reflect upon the relationship between standards, data storage modalities, and natural language processing and how the three can be used to develop models for the future that will help organizations provide better patient care.

Reinventing Clinical Decision Support Systems

In this module, you will dive further into exploring health information systems, now focusing on clinical decision support (CDS) systems. These systems can provide value to clinicians, increasing productivity and supporting clinical processes. With incorporation of these systems, can also bring challenges and complexities. In this module you will explore the benefits and challenges of integrating CDS systems in the healthcare organization. Then you will compare different approaches to storing and controlling data collections. Finally, you will be introduced to the idea of a global algorithm registry and what it could mean for the future of information systems.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

This course is tailored to professionals in the healthcare sector, offering insights into health information systems design and management

Taught by Dr. John D. Halamka, an experienced healthcare professional and thought leader in health informatics

Explores the evolution of health information systems, from their origins to the latest trends, providing a comprehensive historical perspective

Focuses on the practical aspects of health information systems, covering key applications and standards in the healthcare industry

Provides opportunities for hands-on learning through discussions, assignments, and quizzes, enhancing the understanding of course concepts

Assumes a foundational understanding of healthcare systems and practices, which may not be suitable for complete beginners

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Health Informatics for Healthcare Professionals with these activities:

Review Healthcare Systems

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Review the different healthcare systems and delivery models around the world to gain a broader perspective on the industry.

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Research different healthcare systems
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each system
Discuss the implications for healthcare professionals

Review healthcare data management fundamentals

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Reinforce foundational concepts of healthcare data management to enhance understanding of course materials.

Browse courses on Electronic Health Records

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Revisit textbook chapters or lecture notes on basic healthcare data management principles.
Attend an online webinar or workshop on healthcare data fundamentals.

Engage in Discussion Groups

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Participate in discussion groups with peers to share insights, ask questions, and deepen understanding of course concepts.

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Join or create a discussion group
Actively participate in discussions
Share your own experiences and perspectives

Nine other activities

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Solve healthcare data analysis problems

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Apply data analysis techniques to real-world healthcare scenarios, strengthening analytical skills.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Work through practice problems or case studies involving healthcare data analysis.
Participate in online forums or discussion groups to engage with peers on data analysis challenges.

Engage in peer discussion on ethical implications of health IT

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Foster critical thinking and ethical decision-making skills by exploring ethical implications of health IT with peers.

Browse courses on Data Privacy

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Join online discussion forums or communities dedicated to health IT ethics.
Participate in group discussions or webinars on ethical challenges in healthcare data management.
Engage in role-playing scenarios to practice ethical decision-making in real-world situations.

Attend Healthcare Technology Workshops

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Attend workshops focused on healthcare technology to stay updated on the latest trends and advancements.

Browse courses on Healthcare Innovation

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Register and attend the workshops
Actively participate and engage with experts

Explore advanced health information systems technologies

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Stay abreast of cutting-edge health information systems technologies by following expert-led tutorials.

Browse courses on Health Information Systems

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Identify reputable online platforms or courses that offer tutorials on advanced health information systems.
Follow along with video tutorials and complete hands-on exercises to enhance understanding.
Consult with peers or experts in the field to clarify concepts or explore additional resources.

Design a Clinical Decision Support System

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Create a prototype of a clinical decision support system that addresses a specific healthcare problem.

Browse courses on Clinical Decision Support Systems

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Identify a healthcare problem suitable for a CDS
Design the CDS prototype
Implement the prototype using appropriate tools
Evaluate the prototype's effectiveness

Attend a workshop on data visualization in healthcare

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Develop practical skills in presenting healthcare data effectively through hands-on workshop participation.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Research and identify workshops on data visualization in healthcare offered by reputable organizations.
Register and attend the workshop, actively participating in exercises and discussions.
Apply the techniques learned to create data visualizations for healthcare-related projects.

Contribute to open-source projects in health IT

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the healthcare community by participating in open-source health IT projects.

Browse courses on Health IT

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Identify reputable open-source projects related to health IT.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Submit code contributions, bug reports, or documentation improvements to the project.

Implement a Healthcare Information System

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Work on a project to implement a healthcare information system in a simulated or real-world setting, gaining practical experience.

Browse courses on Healthcare Information Systems

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Gather requirements for the HIS
Design the HIS
Implement the HIS
Test and evaluate the HIS
Deploy and maintain the HIS

Develop a prototype for a healthcare data management solution

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Design and prototype a practical solution to address real-world healthcare data management challenges.

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Identify a specific healthcare data management problem or opportunity.
Research and brainstorm potential solutions.
Design and develop a prototype of the solution.
Test and evaluate the prototype.

Career center

Learners who complete Health Informatics for Healthcare Professionals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Healthcare Informatician

Healthcare Informaticians combine strong technical knowledge with an understanding of the need for better healthcare delivery. This course helps build a foundation for data storage and retrieval of basic healthcare information through exposure to areas like data architecture, administrative and clinical applications, and information retrieval, to name a few. These skills are essential knowledge that Healthcare Informaticians need in order to translate healthcare processes into workable IT solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Informatician

Health Information Manager

Health Information Managers use their knowledge of healthcare and information technology to develop and manage health information systems. This course fits well with this role because it provides an in-depth look at information architecture, administrative and clinical applications, information retrieval, and decision support systems, among other relevant topics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Information Manager

Electronic Health Records Specialist

Electronic Health Records Specialists handle encoding, release, and maintenance of patient health information in electronic health records. This course, with its focus on the electronic health record, provides direct knowledge that can be applied to roles in this field. Additionally, the review of key health information systems and standards will be helpful in organizing and understanding these records.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronic Health Records Specialist

Healthcare Data Analyst

Healthcare Data Analysts work with large amounts of patient data to identify trends and patterns that can improve patient care. This course provides exposure to data standards, data storage, data sharing, and more, giving the learner foundational skills that are helpful to this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Data Analyst

Clinical Analyst

Clinical Analysts focus on improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery through data analysis and other analytical methods. This course can be a good start for those who wish to work in this field, by providing foundational knowledge in areas like health information systems, clinical decision support, and data storage and retrieval.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Analyst

Healthcare Management Consultant

Healthcare Management Consultants help healthcare organizations improve their operations and efficiency through consulting and advising. This course may be helpful for those wishing to work in this field, as it discusses topics such as data management, information retrieval, and decision support systems that are relevant in making informed decisions for organizational improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Management Consultant

Healthcare IT Project Manager

Healthcare IT Project Managers plan, execute, and close healthcare IT projects. This course provides learners with a foundation for understanding health information systems, data standards, and data sharing, which are important to the role of managing such projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare IT Project Manager

Healthcare Data Scientist

Healthcare Data Scientists use their knowledge of data science and healthcare to develop and apply analytical models for the purpose of improving patient care. This course may provide a starting point for those interested in this career, as foundational knowledge of data management and data storage is provided. However, it should be noted that advanced degrees are typically required for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Data Scientist

Healthcare Information Security Analyst

Healthcare Information Security Analysts protect healthcare data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. Knowledge of data management, data storage, and data security from this course may be helpful in understanding the role of an Information Security Analyst in healthcare.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Information Security Analyst

Medical Records Technician

Medical Records Technicians work with health information under the supervision of a Health Information Manager. This course may be a good starting point for those interested in this role, as it provides knowledge of data architecture, administrative and clinical applications, and the electronic health record, among other topics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Records Technician

Healthcare Quality Analyst

Healthcare Quality Analysts track, analyze, and interpret healthcare data to ensure quality of patient care. This course provides a strong knowledge base from which to begin a career in this field, as it discusses data management, data storage, data standards, and clinical decision support, all of which are important to quality analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Quality Analyst

Health Services Manager

Health Services Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the provision of healthcare services. This course may be helpful in building a foundation for this role, as it discusses topics such as data management, information retrieval, and decision support systems. However, it should be noted that a master's degree is typically required for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Services Manager

Healthcare Compliance Officer

Healthcare Compliance Officers ensure that healthcare organizations are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This course may be useful for those considering a career in compliance, as it discusses key health information systems and standards, as well as data security and privacy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Compliance Officer

Healthcare Policy Analyst

Healthcare Policy Analysts develop and analyze healthcare policies and programs. This course may be useful for those wishing to work in this field, as it discusses health IT and its impact on patient care. Additionally, the review of key health information systems and standards will be relevant to a career in policy analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Policy Analyst

Health Economist

Health Economists use economic principles to analyze and evaluate healthcare systems and policies. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in health economics, as it discusses health IT and its impact on healthcare delivery.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Economist

Health Informatics for Healthcare Professionals

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