Master of Health Informatics CF21
Program at a glance
| Duration: | 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time |
| Mode & Location: | external |
| Courses/Units of Credit: | 12 courses, including dissertation for Stream B/96 units of credit |
| Faculty: | Faculty of Informatics & Communication; Faculty of Arts, Health & Sciences; Faculty of Business & Law |
| Entry: | direct |
| Accreditation: | not applicable |
| Residential School: | not applicable |
| Practicum/Work placement: | not applicable |
| Exit awards: | Graduate Diploma of Health Informatics |
| Interim awards: | not applicable |
| Contact: | Program Coordinator on 07 4930 9839 or Program Administrator on 07 4930 9681 or email ic-program-pg1@cqu.edu.au Note: CQU is an academic institutional member of the International Medical Informatics Association (I.M.I.A.) |
| International students: | not applicable |
| CRICOS program codes: | not applicable |
Program outline
This program recognises the new discipline of health informatics which includes the management, nursing and electronic health as areas of practice where information science, information and telecommunication technologies are adopted. There is an urgent need for more clinicians, administrators and policy makers to know about these technologies to facilitate the development, acquisition and use of innovative applications to improve overall healthcare performance for the benefit of all Australians.
Program structure
Students are required to complete a total of 12 courses.
- 2 compulsory core courses:
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HLTH20009 | Health Information Science |
| HLTH29030 | Electronic Health Records & Standards |
- 2 speciality courses: any 2 courses taken from the Management, Nursing or E-Health Specialisations
- 2 Information Systems Courses:
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COIS20024 | Systems Management Overview* |
| COIS20025 | Systems Development Overview* |
*Students with a computing background should choose one of the following information systems courses plus an elective from any of the specialities or another information systems course.
Information systems
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COIS20027 | Digital Telecommunications & Networks |
| COIS20008 | Information Systems Project Planning & Management |
| ECOM20002 | Security, Ethics & Electronic Commerce Systems |
| COIS20026 | Database Development & Management |
| COIS20028 | Management & Design of Advanced Systems |
| COIS20010 | Decision Support & Intelligent Systems |
A normal part-time load is 1 to 2 courses per term.
Management
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HLTH20026 | Management of Health Services |
| plus one of the following: | |
| HLTH20007 | Performance Measurement in Health Care |
| HLTH20010 | Health Planning Policy & Program Evaluation |
Nursing
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HLTH20032 | Advanced Nursing Informatics |
| plus one of the following: | |
| HLTH20007 | Performance Measurement in Health Care |
| COMM20036 | Informatics, Culture & Communication |
| COIS12036 | Human-Computer Interaction |
| HLTH20034 | Decision Support in Healthcare |
E-Health
At least two of the following:
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ECOM20001 | Information Systems Management: Integrating E-Commerce |
| ECOM20004 | Electronic Commerce - A Global Perspective |
| COMM20036 | Informatics, Culture & Communication |
| MRKT20027 | E-Marketing |
| LAWS20042 | Law of Electronic Commerce & the Internet |
| ECOM20007 | Developing E-Commerce Solutions |
| ECOM29008 | E-Commerce Trading Systems |
Master of Health Informatics (speciality stream)
The Master of Health Informatics 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 Information Systems and the chosen speciality courses.
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.
After completion of the Graduate Diploma requirements, students will be able to exit with the Graduate Diploma.
Stream A students will then complete:
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| 2 Information Systems electives | |
| 2 Speciality electives | |
| COIS19071 | Research Methods |
| one elective | |
Stream B students will then complete:
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COIS19071 | Research Methods |
| COIS20075 | Dissertation Part A |
| COIS20076 | Dissertation Part B |
| one elective | |
Additional electives
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ACCT20051 | Accounting Information for Decision Making |
| 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 | Organisational Analysis |
| HLTH20028 | Philosophy & Bioethics |
| HLPB20003 | Health Statistics & Epidemiology |
Check the details
Entry
A pass or honours degree in:
- one of the health sciences; or
- another field plus relevant experience in healthcare
Preference will be given to applicants with at least one year 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 objectives
To provide advanced preparation for health professionals currently in the workforce who have (or wish to prepare for) positions in health service management, nursing or e-health where the use of informatics is a requirement. Graduates of these programs are prepared for work in a variety of positions in the healthcare field.
The major emphasis in these programs is to prepare individuals working anywhere in the health industry to make optimal use of health information, information and telecommunication technologies to support their practice including health information support and development within healthcare organisations.
Graduates from the program are expected to:
- Have a basic understanding of the organization of the Australian health system and its information needs.
- Be knowledgeable about common management or nursing or e-health issues and strategies.
- Be knowledgeable about ways in which information, computing and telecommunication technologies can assist health professionals.
Computer Equipment Requirements
Students are required to have access to a personal computer with software enabling the student to run word processing, a database application, spreadsheet and communications software. An Internet Service Provider is also required so students are able to gain experience with using this technology, and to communicate with their lecturer and other students.
Transitional Arrangements for Continuing Students
The changes are such that continuing students will be able to continue to undertake their studies as originally planned or make some modifications to suit the new structure without penalty.