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Learn health informatics with online courses and programs

Health informatics combines information technology, data science, and healthcare principles as a means of improving medical care. By studying medical data, researchers can make more informed decisions and develop cures faster and more efficiently.

What is health informatics?

Can studying historic medical data lead to improvements in patient outcomes? This question is one of the driving principles behind health informatics. By digitizing and analyzing patient records, researchers can uncover important insights that have the potential to advance many aspects of healthcare.

Because health informatics relies heavily on personal patient information, data privacy is a top concern in the field. The systems that support health informatics processes should be able to support seamless collaboration between healthcare providers without compromising patient records.

By blending medicine with technology, health informatics is an exciting and evolving field that offers a variety of entry points for interested professionals. If you’re curious, enjoy problem-solving and uncovering insights from data, learning health informatics can be a great fit for you.

Health Informatics | Introduction Image

Health informatics course curriculum

Individuals working in healthcare, data management, information technology, cybersecurity, or similar fields can benefit from learning about various elements of health informatics. While coursework will vary depending on your goals, introductory curricula may cover topics such as:

  • Principles of data science as applied to healthcare

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare

  • Relationships between population health, health informatics, and public health

  • Emerging trends in health informatics

  • Informatics solutions for public health challenges

As you progress through your education, you may want to explore more advanced courses that go deeper into data-related concepts. There, you may gain skills related to conducting complex research, managing citations, and reporting findings.

Start building the knowledge you need to work in the health informatics field with edX. From accelerated boot camps to comprehensive programs that allow you to earn a bachelor’s degree or (for more advanced learners) a master’s degree, there are many different learning formats available to fit your needs. Busy professionals can even take advantage of executive education courses. Find the right course for you.

Explore health informatics jobs

Health informatics training and education can prepare you for work in a variety of settings and healthcare sectors. Professionals in the field can work in healthcare institutions, academic settings, research organizations, and more. Some of the roles you may be able to pursue include:

  • Health data analyst: Uses data analysis techniques to extract meaningful insights from healthcare datasets.Footnote 1

  • Health IT project manager: Leads and coordinates the implementation of technology projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.Footnote 2

  • Telehealth product manager: Designs, implements, and manages telehealth platforms that facilitate remote patient consultations.Footnote 3

  • Healthcare data privacy officer: Ensures that healthcare organizations obey regulations, and develops policies and procedures to safeguard patient health information.Footnote 4

While many of these roles exist within similar industries, employment qualifications may differ based on the position and employer. Some roles may require a higher level degree while others may only ask for a demonstration of skills that can be acquired in a cybersecurity boot camp, for example. Before deciding on which learning path will work best for you, research potential roles you hope to pursue and align your coursework with your professional aspirations.

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