Health Information Management
Bachelor of Health Information Management – Melbourne (Bundoora) (HBHIM)
This course is only available for continuing students who commenced pre-2009. Those wishing to study health information management should refer to the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Health Information Management entry double degree.
Division of Health Studies: (03) 9479 1750
Duration: 3.5 years
This course equips graduates for an excellent range of career opportunities in the health care field. Health information management graduates are in great demand because of their highly specialised skills. Their choice of work includes:
- coding of diseases and operations and analysis of health data
- analysis of a health service’s case mix (i.e. types and costs of cases treated)
- developing or running the paper-based and electronic health record systems
- managing disease databases in health screening programs, disease registries and clinical trials
- undertaking health information and business analysis
- undertaking project management and design of health information systems for medical decision making and patient care
- managing clinical risk and quality management systems to ensure patients receive the highest quality of care
- managing clinical trials data
- working as a hospital or health facility privacy officer
- undertaking disease-related research using health information.
Alternatively, graduates may choose to work in managerial positions, running the health information service for a hospital or other health service, or in general administration positions.
Course structure
There are four core streams of study:
- clinical knowledge, including disease classification systems
- health informatics, with a large emphasis on electronic health (e-health) information
- management of health information systems and organisations, and of the quality of health care
- analysis of health data.
Students have the opportunity to specialise in third and fourth years. They also are required to participate in professional practice, which involves fieldwork activities in health care facilities and services.
First year (no new intake in 2010)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS1HFU | Introduction to Human Function | 5 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM1MTA | Medical Terminology | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM1MHA | Management of Health Information Systems A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE1PHC | Introduction to Public Health C | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM1HIA | Health Informatics A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS1HBF | Human Body Function | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM1HCA | Health Classification A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM1MHB | Management of Health Information Systems B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM1HIB | Health Informatics B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE1RMH | Research Methods in Health 1 | 5 |
Second year (no longer offered)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2PAG | General Pathology | 5 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM2HCB | Health Classification B | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM2HIC | Health Informatics C | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM2MHC | Management of Health Information Systems C | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM2MTC | Advanced Medical Terminology | 5 |
| TE-SEM-1 | STA1LS | Statistics for Life Sciences | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM2AHA | Analysis of Health Data A | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM2HCC | Health Classification C | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM2HID | Health Informatics D | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM2LAE | Health Information Law and Ethics | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM2MHD | Management of Health Information Systems D | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS2PAS | Systemic Pathology | 5 |
Third year (continuing students only)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1/2 | HLT3IPA | Interdisciplinary Professional Practice | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM3HSI | Health Systems Implementation | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM3HIP | Health Information Professional Practice | 35 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM3HCD1 | Health Classification D | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM3HIE1 | Health Informatics E | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM3MHE | Management of Health Information Systems E | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HIM3AHB | Analysis of Health Data B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective(s)1 | elective studies may include HIM3HCD and HIM3HIE | 15 |
Fourth year (continuing students only)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM4MHF | Management of Health Information Systems F | 15 |
| plus at least two of the following | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM4HCE2 | Health Classification E | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HIM4HIF2 | Health Informatics F | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective2 | elective studies in health data analysis (at third or fourth year level within the University) | 15 |
| and/or | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective2 | elective studies (at third or fourth year level within the University) | 15 |
Key: 1. Specialisation: students are required to take subjects HIM3MHE and HIM3AHB, plus HIM3HCD and HIM3HIE (recommended), or one of HIM3HCD or HIM3HIE, plus elective studies at third or fourth level of 15 credit points.
2. All students must take HIM4MHF.
Specialisation: HIM4HCE and/or HIM4HIF (both recommended) and other approved elective studies up to 15 credit points, at third or fourth year level within the University, plus an additional 15 credit point elective subject (third or fourth year level within the University).
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible to apply for full membership of the peak professional body, the Health Information Management Association of Australia. Students are eligible for student membership of the professional association.
Honours (HHHIM)
Students may be invited to undertake the honours program on academic merit based on the weighted average of third-year subjects. The honours program is undertaken in the fourth year of the course, and provides students with the opportunity to continue their studies at a higher academic level and to develop their theoretical knowledge and research skills. The honours program runs concurrently with the first teaching period of the undergraduate fourth year and continues in the second teaching period of that year.