Gathering and Recording Healthcare Information - this unit provides an overview of the reasons why health information is collected, and the principal purposes for which it is used. It considers the content and general structure of medical records, and at how data can be collected, organised and stored in such a way as to be able to support the primary and secondary usage requirements. Specific issues such as recording as free text, structured data and classified and coded data formats are considered in the context of automated data processing and analysis. HI101 should be completed prior to enrolment in this course.
Networking, Communications and Systems Integration - this unit explores the issues involved in moving and sharing information, including the issues of ‘control’ of that process. It explores where information is stored, why and how it is moved to create a joined-up system, and how encryption can keep it safe from eavesdroppers – considering both ‘push’ and ‘pull’ communications methods. Technical issues of networking are covered, as are different approaches to achieving enterprise wide integration. For these to work there is an essential, but currently largely missing, infrastructure requirement that needs to be addressed. HI201-01 should be completed prior to enrolment in this course.
Storage and Use of Health Information - this unit considers the responsibilities of the record keeper in maintaining the security of information, and ensuring that it is only accessible to authorised users for approved purposes. It considers moral and ethical issues, and then addresses the issues of information privacy and the impact of privacy and other legislation (human rights, freedom of information) on the primary and secondary uses of personalised information. HI201-02 should be completed prior to enrolment in this course.
Procurement and Implementation of Information Systems - this unit, the last of the intermediate level study units, addresses the issues involved in the specification, procurement and implementation of information systems, and the use of an appropriate project management methodology. It outlines approaches to making the business case for investment, introduces issues of standards specification, explores the topic of vendor ‘lock-in’ in the context of open/standard versus proprietary hardware and software architectures. Management of change and user education and support are topics that are explored in some detail. Finally the issue of continual quality improvement and how this is relevant to systems development is covered. HI201-03 should be completed prior to enrolment in this course.