Online Courses Handbook 2003

157599 v.4 Bachelor of Science (Health Information Management)

BSc(Curtin)

Introduction
This course combines the scientific, technical and administration expertise ensuring graduates obtain the skills to be competent professionals in the field of health information management. In addition, staff have strong links with the local health and information professions, ensuring students have extensive hands-on experience in health information management. Health information management is a challenging profession involving the application of clinical knowledge, aspects of information technology, database management and administration. Health records serve as a data base for health care planning and management decisions, legal and administrative purposes, research, identifying trends for the treatment of disease and for evaluating the standards and quality of patient care. All this must be undertaken with due regard to ethical and legal considerations which emphasise the personal and sensitive nature of the information being collected and processed.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
One TEE mathematics and one TEE science subject. Human Biology desirable. Applications may be considered without these subjects - contact the School of Public Health.

Specific Requirements
STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening/Clearance Section of this publication. Professional practice is emphasised throughout the program, through project work, visits and exercises. Compulsory field trips and professional practice placements are required, and may be undertaken locally, interstate or overseas.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability
This course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time study. External study is also available.

Course Organisation
In the first year, students are introduced to human biology, disease processes, the health care system, medical and surgical terminology, computing, health information systems and relevant elements of business practice. A continuing program of health science and management units combining professional practice, disease classification, computing and health information system management reflects the special characteristics of health information management. All first year and second year units must be completed prior to entry into third year, unless a waiver is granted by the Course Coordinator.

Career Opportunities
There is an increasing demand for Health Information Management graduates in the public and private sectors and in the Information Technology industry. In hospitals, graduates are working as departmental managers, in the areas of quality improvement, casemix analysis, database management, special projects, clinical classification, and as research assistants. Graduates are also employed as health information consultants, primary care practice managers, and in information systems design. Health InformationManagement is a very transportable degree with excellent job opportunities interstate and overseas.

Additional Course Expenses
Students will be required to purchase a laboratory coat. Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit

Year 1 Semester 1

10830 v.3 Information Systems 100 4.0 25.0

1441 v.4 Psychology 114 1.5 12.5

OR

303168 v.2 Epidemiology and Biostatistics 180 2.0 12.5

1643 v.6 Human Biology 133 4.0 25.0

1675 v.7 Health Record Systems 181 5.0 25.0

7713 v.7 Health Science Communication 180 2.0 12.5

100.0

Year 1 Semester 2

10848 v.2 Management 100 3.0 25.0

12069 v.2 Nosology 182 4.0 25.0

1644 v.7 Human Biology 134 4.0 25.0

1676 v.8 Health Record Systems 182 5.0 25.0

100.0

Year 2 Semester 1

10852 v.3 Organisational Behaviour 200 3.0 25.0

2871 v.7 Health Record Systems 281 4.0 25.0

303101 v.1 Medical Science 283 4.0 25.0

306314 v.1 Nosology 283 3.0 12.5

306315 v.1 Nosology 284 2.0 12.5

100.0

Year 2 Semester 2

2872 v.9 Health Record Systems 282 4.0 25.0

2904 v.6 Health Information Systems 283 4.0 25.0

303091 v.1 Epidemiology 186 3.0 25.0

306316 v.1 Nosology 285 3.0 12.5

306317 v.1 Nosology 286 3.0 12.5

100.0

Year 3 Semester 1

13122 v.2 Health Care Systems 385 4.0 25.0

306319 v.1 Nosology 384 3.0 12.5

306320 v.1 Nosology 385 3.0 12.5

3759 v.8 Health Record Systems 381 3.0 25.0

3760 v.7 Professional Practice 381 8.5 25.0

100.0

Year 3 Semester 2

303102 v.1 Health Practice Administration 383 4.0 25.0

3762 v.6 Health Record Systems 382 5.0 25.0

6995 v.4 Nosology 382 4.0 25.0

8703 v.5 Epidemiology 382 5.0 25.0

100.0

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