What is Health Informatics?

Health informatics is a multi-disciplinary, multi-dimensional field focussing on the collection, management, and use of health related data, information and knowledge. It is a socio-technical field which emphasises an understanding of both the organisational and cultural environment of health services and computing and information systems tools and processes.

By its very nature, health informatics is challenging and complex. Yet it is this complexity that makes it such an intriguing, exciting and rewarding field in which to be involved.

Why study health informatics?

For health professionals

Health information management is becoming increasingly central to effective and efficient health care. The tools of health informatics - computers, the Internet, telehealth and other potentially powerful technologies - are making increasing inroads into the everyday environment of health professionals. Used wisely these tools can help us to deliver more effective, more efficient and more patient-oriented health care. Used badly they waste time and money, create inefficiencies, and dehumanise our interactions with each other. Health workers who understand and are able to utilise health informatics tools and applications will be more able to influence their use in practice.

For health informatics professionals

Health informatics is an emerging discipline and profession in its own right, with emerging career opportunities. The health informatics professional works with a wide range of people, including consumers, health professionals, administrators, information technology professionals and vendors, in many instances playing a pivotal role as information systems are developed, implemented and maintained. The health informatics professional therefore needs broad skills and knowledge which incorporates principals and applications of the information management, and an understanding of organisational culture, change management and innovation diffusion. The program at UTas offers students the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and knowledge, with a particular emphasis on the people aspects of health information management.

	Apply Online Link to the University of Tasmania Online Course Applications Further Information  Overview [289KB]  Course Introduction and Unit Outlines  Student Views [127KB]  E-Health (Health Informatics) Online Presentation  E-Health in Action  Links to real world applications of Health Informatics