2 YR ORDINARY DIPLOMA IN HEALTH INFORMATICS

Course Duration: 2 Years (4 semesters, including holidays and attachment)
Course Fee: 30,000 Kenyan Shillings per semester (each semester takes 3 months)

Course Overview:

This course focuses on the application of information technology to healthcare, including the management of health information systems, data analysis, and the use of informatics to improve patient care and healthcare services.

Year 1

Semester 1: Introduction to Health Informatics

• Week 1-2: Fundamentals of Health Informatics

• • Overview of Health Informatics
  • History and Evolution of Health IT
  • Key Concepts and Terminology
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 3-6: Health Information Systems

• • Types of Health Information Systems (EHR, EMR, PHR)
  • Components and Architecture of Health Information Systems
  • Data Standards and Interoperability
  • Mini Project

• Week 7-10: Data Management in Healthcare

• • Health Data Types and Sources
  • Data Collection and Storage
  • Data Quality and Integrity
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 11-14: Privacy and Security in Health Informatics

• • Health Data Privacy Regulations (HIPAA, GDPR)
  • Data Security Measures
  • Risk Management and Incident Response
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 15-16: Semester Review and Assessment

• • Review of Key Concepts
  • Practice Projects
  • Mid-Semester Exam

Semester 2: Clinical Informatics

• Week 1-4: Electronic Health Records (EHR)

• • Overview of EHR Systems
  • Implementation and Management of EHRs
  • Benefits and Challenges of EHR Adoption
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 5-8: Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)

• • Introduction to CDSS
  • Types and Functions of CDSS
  • Integration of CDSS in Clinical Workflows
  • Mini Project

• Week 9-12: Telemedicine and Mobile Health

• • Telemedicine Technologies and Applications
  • Mobile Health (mHealth) Solutions
  • Regulatory and Ethical Considerations
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 13-14: Health Informatics Standards

• • Overview of Health Informatics Standards (HL7, DICOM)
  • Implementing Standards in Health IT
  • Ensuring Interoperability
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 15-16: Semester Review and Assessment

• • Review of Key Concepts
  • Practice Projects
  • End-of-Semester Exam

Year 2

Semester 3: Health Data Analytics

• Week 1-4: Introduction to Health Data Analytics

• • Basics of Health Data Analytics
  • Data Analysis Techniques and Tools
  • Health Data Visualization
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 5-8: Population Health Management

• • Concepts and Strategies in Population Health
  • Use of Data in Population Health Management
  • Case Studies and Best Practices
  • Mini Project

• Week 9-12: Big Data in Healthcare

• • Introduction to Big Data Technologies
  • Big Data Analytics in Healthcare
  • Applications and Challenges
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 13-14: Health Informatics Research

• • Research Methods in Health Informatics
  • Conducting Literature Reviews
  • Data Collection and Analysis for Research
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 15-16: Semester Review and Assessment

• • Review of Key Concepts
  • Practice Projects
  • Mid-Semester Exam

Semester 4: Capstone Project and Industry Applications

• Week 1-4: Capstone Project

• • Project Planning and Design
  • Implementation of Health Informatics Project
  • Portfolio Development
  • Final Presentation and Evaluation

• Week 5-8: Industry Attachment

• • Attachment in Health Informatics Roles
  • Applying Health Informatics Skills in Real-World Projects
  • Industry Best Practices
  • Practical Experience

• Week 9-12: Professional Development

• • Career Pathways in Health Informatics
  • Building a Professional Portfolio
  • Networking and Career Development
  • Practical Exercises

• Week 13-16: Course Review and Final Exam

• • Comprehensive Course Review
  • Practice Projects
  • Final Exam

Attachment

Students will undertake an industry attachment to gain practical experience in health informatics roles, working with healthcare providers and organizations to apply informatics principles in improving patient care and healthcare services.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive an "Ordinary Diploma in Health Informatics" certificate, recognizing their expertise and skills in managing health information systems, data analysis, and applying informatics to enhance healthcare delivery.