Master of Health Administration & Information Systems CF21

This program recognises the discipline of health informatics which involves the linking of health administration and information technology.

There is an urgent need for more clinicians, administrators and policy makers to know about information technologies to facilitate the development, acquisition and use of innovative applications to improve overall healthcare performance to the benefit of all Australians.

Entry

Entrants should have a good pass or honours degree in:

• one of the health sciences; or
• another field plus have relevant experience in healthcare.

Preference will be given to applicants with at least one year of professional work experience in addition to the above. Consideration will be given on an individual basis to applicants with:

• basic health professional preparation (non-degree) and who have had at least 2 years work experience at a middle or higher management level; or
• a similar background in business administration with at least 2 years relevant work experience in the healthcare sector.

Places for special entry are limited.

Program Structure

The Master of Health Administration and Information Systems is split into 2 streams after completion of the 6 courses required for the Graduate Diploma.

STREAM A is entirely coursework based, and includes a balance of both Health Management and Information Systems programs.

STREAM B is a research-based option, and includes a dissertation, which is the equivalent of 4 courses. Students interested in this stream will need to demonstrate an average level of academic performance at credit level or above and will need the prior approval of the Program Coordinator. This approval will also depend on the availability of a suitable supervisor.

Students are required to complete:

• 2 compulsory core courses:

  HLTH20026   Management of Health Services
  HLTH20009   Health Information Science
  

• one of the following Management courses

  HMGT20006   Health Economics
  HLTH20007   Performance Measurement in Health Care
  HLTH20008   Using Casemix Data for Decision Support
  HLTH20010   Health Planning, Policy & Program Evaluation
  

• one of the following Information Systems courses

  COIS20024   Information Systems Overview
  COIS20025   Information Systems Development
  COIS20027   Digital Telecommunications & Networks
  COIS20008   Information Systems Project Planning & Management
  ECOM20002   Security, Ethics & Electronic Commerce Systems
  

• one Management elective from those already listed or from those below:

  ACCT20051   Accounting Information for Decision-Making
  HRMT20007   Human Resources Management
  HRMT20008   Contemporary Issues in Human Resources Management
  HRMT20018   Contemporary Industrial Relations
  MGMT20091   Diversity: Maximising the Potential of Difference
  MGMT20093   Managing in a Dynamic Environment
  MGMT20094   Organsiational Analysis
  HLTH20028   Philosophy & Bioethics
  HLPB20003   Health Statistics & Epidemiology
  

• one Information Systems elective from those already listed or from those below:

  COIS20026   Database Development & Management
  ECOM20001   Information Systems Management - integrating E-Commerce
  COIS20028   Management & Design of Advanced Systems
  COIS20010   Decision Support & Intelligent Systems
  ECOM20004   Electronic Commerce - a Global Perspective
  

After completion of the above requirements, students will be able to exit with the Graduate Diploma.

STREAM A Students will then complete:

• 2 Information Systems electives
• 2 Management electives
• COIS19071   Research Methods
• One elective from Management or Information Systems

STREAM B Students will then complete:

• COIS19071   Research Methods
• HLTH20011   Dissertation
• One elective from Management or Information Systems

Program Objectives

To provide advanced preparation for health professionals currently in the workforce who have (or wish to prepare for) positions in health services administration or health information systems management. Graduates of this program are prepared for work in a variety of management positions in the healthcare field.

The major emphasis in this program, however, will be to prepare individuals who are assuming major administrative roles in small to medium sized health care institutions or agencies, or who are managing courses within larger institutions, or who are assuming major responsibilities for health information support and development within healthcare organisations.

Graduates of this program will:

• have a basic understanding of the organisation of the Australian health system;
• be knowledgeable about common management issues and strategies;
• be knowledgeable about ways in which information and computing technologies and telecommunication can assist health service managers.

Computer Equipment Requirements

Students are required to have access to a personal computer. A modem and subscription to a commercial internet provider is also required so students are able to gain experience in using this technology. The computer may be any type of personal computer on which the student can run a word processor, database application, spreadsheet and communications software.