Medical Informatics: Exploring the Great Unknown

In a nutshell, Medical Informatics is the application of innovative technologies to improve health care. The proper use of medical informatics leads to better-informed decisions by patients, nurses and doctors. Medical Informatics has a strong technological ground, but its primary focus is not the use of technology for its own sake. Rather, medical informatics should be understood as an essentially human discourse. In a paper presented at the 2008 Australia`s Health Informatics Conference, Dr. Quynh Le pointed out that medical informatics ?deals with issues such as interpersonal communication, organizational interaction, trust, confidentiality?.?

As every working nurse knows, a strong awareness of these issues can make the difference between a competent nurse and an excellent nurse. One Marymont Heart Clinic administrative nurse explains, ?Even with the current shortage of nurses, the clinic still maintains high standards (in our hiring practice)?I screen out candidates with weak interpersonal communication skills, or who don?t take criticism well.?

Presently, there are not enough skilled medical informatics specialists to handle the nation-wide workload. To meet the goal of implementing electronic medical records for every patient by 2014, more trained medical informatics specialists are needed. Whether you decide to pursue a degree in medical informatics, or simply attend some seminars and trainings to enhance your skills in your current role, a strong foundation in medical informatics will give your career a boost.

You could become a clinical documentation specialist, like 10 of the nurses at Multicare Health System in Tacoma, Washington. The 10 nurses work full-time reviewing both electronic and paper records for Multicare?s three hospitals. They provide the hospitals with updates about the documentation and bring any concerns to the physicians directly. Because of the improved documentation, the hospitals made an extra $5.7 million in 2008. More importantly, patients benefit because the thoroughness of the documentation leads to more accurate diagnoses and better care.

Or, you could work as a health information technology specialist at a consulting firm. The CIO of Sutter Health in California said in 2004 that several employees had left to work for consulting firms, lured by higher salaries?the average was nearly $117,000. Whether they work for consulting firms, hospitals or private clinics, health information technology professionals are in high demand and can expect to receive pay raises on an ongoing basis.

Nurses who earned a specialized degree in Nursing Informatics have gone on to find work as clinicians, scientists, technologists, systems developers, nurse managers, nurse psychologists, legal nurse consultants, nursing policy officers and nurse researchers. With a degree in medical informatics, you will possess skills that transition well to practically any health-related environment.

Most medical informaticians working today started out in other health care fields and returned to school to earn a degree or certification in Medical Informatics after several years. Many individuals who are seeking a medical informatics degree choose online programs so that they can balance work and study more conveniently. Although informatics as a formally recognized field is quite new, there are already plenty of options for you to choose from if you are interested in earning your medical informatics degree from an accredited online institution.

Your degree in medical informatics will open windows onto unexpected horizons. Eric, a nurse researcher with a nursing informatics degree, says, ?Three years ago, I couldn?t have imagined the job I?m doing today, because it literally didn?t exist.?

Leaps and bounds in health sciences as well as an accelerated demand for electronic medical records are creating new opportunities constantly. The medical informatics skills you learn now may help improve health care in new and exciting ways.

?I can?t wait to see what I?m working on next year,? adds Eric. ?I?ll probably be using technology that hasn?t even been developed yet.?

Learn More About Medical Informatics Degree Programs
Achieve the education you need to turn your career goals into reality by requesting program information from accredited online schools that offer informatics programs that match your needs:

Explore Medical Informatics Programs, Explore Nursing Informatics Programs

Ultimate Medical Academy Online

Online

Boost your career with an education from Ultimate Medical Academy Online. We offer career-focused training in dental assisting, nursing assisting, medical billing and coding, basic x-ray, and more. Programs take as little as seven weeks.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology Associate
• Medical Administrative Assistant - Associates

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing - Informatics
• AAS in Health Information Technology
• MBA - Health Care Management

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• Master of Health in Administration/Health Care Informatics
• M.S. in Nursing/Informatics
• MS in Nursing/Informatics

Campus Locations:

Online
Jacksonville
Salida
Fairfax
Phoenix
Snellville
San Francisco
Livonia
Sacramento
Atlanta
Marietta
Southfield
Grand Rapids
Arlington
Clinton Township
Macon
Chandler
Palm Beach Gardens
Clearwater
Daytona Beach
Oakland
Duluth
Orlando
Roseville
Maitland
Flint
Tampa
Lathrop
Fairfield
Rancho Cordova
Baton Rouge
Mesa
Plantation
Savannah
Miami
McDonough
Ann Arbor
Fort Lauderdale
Manassas
Sandy Springs
Beale AFB
San Jose
Sarasota
Reston
Portage
East Lansing
Temple Terrace
Hollywood
Livermore
Troy
Elk Grove
Dallas
Meridian
Cordova
Louisville
Bossier City
Indianapolis
Brookfield
Columbus
Los Angeles
Birmingham
Saint Paul
Kapolei
Independence
Yuma
Flowood
Hurst
Augusta
St. Louis
Westminster
Lancaster
San Antonio
Kansas City
Tucson
Las Vegas
Tulsa
San Diego
Irving
Woodland Hills
Rogers
Appleton
Austin
Aurora
Houston
Metairie
Westlake
St Louis Park
Overland Park
Costa Mesa
Colorado Springs
Fort Collins
Nogales
Henderson
Columbia
Murrieta
Pasadena
Springfield
Gardena
Lone Tree
Madison
West Chester
Killeen
Ontario
Milwaukee
Plainfield
Culver City
Saint Louis
Sugar Land
Pleasant Grove
Spring
Mililani
Washington
Diamond Bar
Albuquerque
Fresno
Minneapolis
Charlotte
El Centro
Clearfield
Santa Fe
West Des Moines
Clarksville
Oklahoma City
Westborough
Salt Lake City
Visalia
Greensboro
Fayetteville
Santa Teresa
Reno
Braintree
Beachwood
Saint George
Chattanooga
Raleigh
Bakersfield
Carolina
Chula Vista
Murfreesboro
El Paso
Burlington
San Bernardino
Nashville

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• M.S. in Health Informatics
• Masters of Information Systems Management - Healthcare Informatics
• B.S. in Health Studies - Health Informatics

Allied Schools

Campus

Considering a new career or need additional job training? Whether you want to train for a new career, advance within your current company, or simply learn new skills to stay competitive in today's job market, Allied's distance education training can help! Because the courses are offered online and through traditional distance education, the stress associated with driving to and attending a live class is eliminated. Start your new career training today, start it with Allied Schools.

Programs:

• Medical Terminology
• Electronic Health Records
• ICD-10 Comprehensive Coding Training Course

Campus Locations:

Laguna Hills

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology
• Medical Office Administration

Campus Locations:

Honolulu
Hayward
San Francisco
Milpitas
Concord
Rancho Cordova
Salinas
Stockton
Salida
Roseville
Portland
Fresno

Northwestern College

Campus

Training for a successful future is easier than you may think! Northwestern College offers flexible career training to fit your busy schedule. Earning your certificate or degree will put you in a position to increase your earning potential and advance into the career you've always wanted!

Programs:

• Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Bridgeview
Chicago

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology
• Health Information Technician
• Information Technology and Biomedical Technician

Campus Locations:

Kingston
Largo
Orange Park
Winter Park
Nashville
Cuyahoga Falls
Erie
Ravenna
Baton Rouge
Birmingham
Columbia
Richmond
Houston
Grand Prairie
Wayne
Miami
Cookeville
Houston

CollegeAmerica

Campus

Finally, a college that delivers. CollegeAmerica is truly unique in that their curriculum is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to prepare students for success.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics (Online)
• Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (Online)
• Master of Science in Information Systems (Online)

Campus Locations:

Colorado Springs
Cheyenne
Fort Collins
Flagstaff
Denver
Phoenix

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Associate of Occupational Science in Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Anaheim

Charter College

Campus

Prepare for a better career and a brighter future with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. Our small class sizes and dedicated instructors ensure a personalized education experience. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find the job that's right for you after graduation.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Vancouver
Oxnard
Anchorage
Wasilla
Pasco

Stevens-Henager

Campus

For more than 119 years, Stevens-Henager College has worked to train generations of graduates for new careers. Stevens-Henager College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Our degree programs, designed to help graduates compete in the ever-evolving employment market, include Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Surgical Technology, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, Computer Science, and Graphic Arts*. Online programs are offered via Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray. Stevens-Henager College Idaho Falls is a branch campus of the CollegeAmerica, Flagstaff, AZ, main campus.

*Check each campus for program availability.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics
• Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics (Online)
• Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

Campus Locations:

Idaho Falls
Orem
Ogden
Logan
Nampa
Layton
Lehi
Boise
Murray
Saint George

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Science: Health Information Technology
• Occupational Associate of Applied Science: Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Las Vegas
San Antonio

National American University

Campus

Since its beginnings in 1941, National American University has been a cornerstone of higher education, keeping pace with the ever-changing advancements of technology, while holding onto core values that provide a caring and supportive environment for all students.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology
• Electronic Health Record Support Specialist

Campus Locations:

Overland Park
Mesquite
Lees Summit
Burnsville
Wichita
Saint Paul
Austin
Kansas City
Rio Rancho
Littleton
Colorado Springs
Tulsa
Watertown
Rapid City
Saint Charles
Sioux Falls
Hopkins
Albuquerque
Minneapolis

Career Quest Learning Centers

Campus

Give your career a boost with Career Quest Learning Centers. We offer programs in business, information technology, and health care that are designed to get you into your new career fast.

Programs:

• Health Information Technology

Campus Locations:

Lansing
Jackson
Portage