Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Health Information Management

Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Health Information Management – Melbourne (Bundoora) HZHHIM

This is a course which commenced in 2009, replaces the Bachelor of Health Information Management and the double degree Bachelor of Health Information Management/Bachelor of Health Science. Please note that some subjects may change.

Division of Health Studies: (03) 9479 1750

Duration: 4 years

Health Information Management deals with the business side of medicine, combining both health and information technology disciplines. This course, one of only four in Australia, provides students with the skills to analyse and manage health information and systems. The double degree combines pre-clinical and clinical study, integrating both theory and practice. The majority of subjects undertaken are core subjects.

Course structure

In first year, students will undertake an interdisciplinary common year in which students enrol in subjects with peers across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus is on basic human biosciences and factors influencing health and on developing an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors.

The second year of study will see students begin to develop skills in health information management including health classification, health informatics (e-health) and further explore the underpinning science and public health.

By the third and fourth years of the course, students will be able to apply their knowledge and practical skills to the management and professional practice of health information management. Students also gain extensive practical experience through placements and field visits, and may choose to specialise during their final year of study.

‘Early Exit’ as a Clinical Coder

Students who do not wish to proceed to complete the Master degree may leave with a profession-specific Bachelor of Health Sciences after successful completion of Years 1, 2 and 3; they are qualified as Clinical Coders and may find work in hospitals, where there is a massive shortage of qualified Clinical Coders.

First year
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HBS1HBA Human Biosciences A 15
TE-SEM-1 HLT1IPA Interprofessional Practice A 15
TE-SEM-1 HLT1PHW Perspectives of Health and Wellbeing 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE1IDH Individual Determinants of Health 15
TE-SEM-2 HBS1HBB Human Biosciences B 15
TE-SEM-2 HLT1IPB Interprofessional Practice B 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE1SDH Social Determinants of Health 15
TE-SEM-2 Elective1 15
Second year
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HIM2HMA Health Information Management A 15
TE-SEM-1 HIM1MTA Medical Terminology 15
TE-SEM-1 HBS2PAT Pathophysiology 15
TE-SEM-1 HIM2IHA Principles of Health Informatics A 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM3HMB Health Information Management B 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM2PPA2 Professional Practice 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM3CCA Health Classification and Clinical Coding A 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE2AHR Applied Health Research 15
Third year
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HIM4HMC Health Information Management C 15
TE-SEM-1 HIM4CCB Health Classification and Clinical Coding B 15
TE-SEM-1 HIM4IHB Principles of Health Informatics B 15
TE-SEM-1 HIM4AHA Health Data Analysis A 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM5PPB3 Health Information Professional Practice Placement 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM5HMD Health Classification and Funding Models 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM5IHC Principles of Health Informatics C 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM5IEL Health Information Ethics and Law 15
Fourth year
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HIM5AHB Health Data Analysis B 15
TE-SEM-1 HIM5PPC Professional Practice Placement C 30
TE-SEM-1 HIM5CCC Health Classification and Clinical Coding C 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM5HME Health Information Management E 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM5IHD Principles of Health Informatics D 15
plus two of
TE-SEM-2 HIM5IHE Principles of Health Informatics E 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM5IHD Health Classification and Clinical Coding D 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM5ALH Action Learning Project in Health Information Management 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE4RMH Research Methods in Health 4, or other Postgraduate subjects offered by the School of Public Health 15
or
TE-SEM-2 other postgraduate subjects offered by the School of Public Health 15
or
TE-SEM-2 an approved elective subject from anywhere in the University4 15

The electives allow for streaming according to the student ’s preferred professional specialisation.

Key: 1 Free choice elective subject chosen from anywhere in the University, provided students have met any prerequisites

2. Hospital and University-based professional practice placement

3 Hospital or healthcare service-based professional practice placement with integrated University-based theory

4. For this elective, students may take an approved subject from outside of the Faculty (eg. Medical Statistics) consistent with their preferred specialisation

Fourth year (Masters-honours stream)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HIM4PPC Professional Practice Placement C 45
Elective
TE-SEM-1 HIM4IHD Principles of Health Informatics D 15
or
TE-SEM-1 HIM4CCC Health Classification and Clinical Coding C 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE4RMH Research Methods in Health 4 15
TE-SEM-2 HIM4TMA Thesis Part A 15
Elective
TE-SEM-2 HIM4IHE Principles of Health Informatics E 15
or
TE-SEM-2 HIM4CCD Health Classification and Clinical Coding D 15

The electives allow for streaming according to the students preferred professional specialisation. Students must take one of the two elective subjects listed.

Fifth year (Masters-Honours stream)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HIM4TMB Thesis Part B 60