Master of Health Information Management

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to: 

1. Apply critical, technical inquiry and creative skills to make judgements in complex and ambiguous health information management situations, using adaptive knowledge skills in various contexts.
2. Apply critical inquiry to social, political, environmental, and economic scenarios related to health information to inform judgements, actions and research.
3. Critically evaluate health data and information, management theory, principles, and processes to communicate ideas to reflect on their efficacy in current practice.
4. Critically appraise decision-making and leadership tools and skills in contemporary health practice.
5. Demonstrate social, cultural and ethical responsibility, and engage in professional conduct to support individuals and groups.

The Master of Health Information Management (MHIM) is designed for those interested in pursuing a significant management or administrative role in the private or public health sectors. Successful completion of the MHIM provides graduates with a substantial background in relevant health information management theory, research and practice that should enhance your ability to plan and manage successfully in an increasingly complex national and international sector, and within the framework of societal values.

Higher education

• A completed undergraduate degree at Bachelor level (AQF level 7) or higher (or equivalent#) majoring in an Information Technology and/or health related discipline and employment within the health sector; OR 
• A completed postgraduate degree (AQF level 8) or higher or equivalent level standard in any other institution in any discipline and employment in the health sector; OR 
•  A completed undergraduate degree at Bachelor level (AQF level 7) or higher (or equivalent) in an unrelated discipline and a minimum of two years relevant work experience in the health sector. 

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.

Students who are awarded the Graduate Certificate in Digital Health (formerly the Graduate Certificate of E-Health (Health Informatics)) (H5E) can articulate into this course with full credit for x4 units completed, given that there is now a specialisation in Health Informatics in the MHIM. 

Students completing the Graduate Certificate in Health Service Management (Safety and Quality) will receive advanced standing for two 12.5 credit point units of the Master of Health Information Management and may apply for credit for units BAA753 and BAA756 within the MHIM.

The health information workforce is a rapidly developing one. The Master of Health Information Management (MHIM) is an advanced program designed to provide you as current and future health information management professionals with rigorous training focused on issues of contemporary professional health information management practice.

Recent industry reports and consultations have highlighted the health information workforce shortages. There is a need for appropriately qualified individuals; professionals who have the skills and knowledge to fill decision-making roles to meet the increasingly complex nature of delivering and managing health services in a data-driven environment. This has become increasingly critical given the national move to Activity Based Funding, where hospitals must track their activity at all levels against agreed targets to optimise their funding. Added to that is the push for efficiencies in the system using digital health and, assistive and emerging technologies (electronic medical records, personalised electronic health records, digitalisation) which will only serve to intensify the need for this professional sector of the health workforce in the future.

Recommended Study Pattern

For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended:

Coursework Core:

• TAS-BAA548 Digital Health Privacy and Security Issues
• TAS-BAA638 Health Information Systems
• TAS-BAA735 Health Data Management, Information Analysis and Improvement
• TAS-BAA771 Strategic Information Management in Healthcare

Research Core:

• TAS-BAA722 Research Methods in Health Management
• TAS-BAA737 Health Management Research Plan
• TAS-BAA738 Health Management Research Thesis
• TAS-BAA751 Evidence Informed Decision Making

Specialisations (choose ONE specialisation from the following list)

Health Informatics

• TAS-BAA500 Introduction to Health Informatics
• TAS-BAA549 Electronic Health Records
• TAS-BAA632 Digital Health
• TAS-BAA634 The Diffusion of Health Technology

Data Analytics

• TAS-BAA500 Introduction to Health Informatics
• TAS-BAA760 Health Ontologies, Terminologies, and Classifications
• TAS-BEA674 Data and Business Decision Making
• TAS-CAM528 Introduction to Epidemiology

Information Governance 

• TAS-BAA632 Digital Health
• TAS-BAA634 The Diffusion of Health Technology
• TAS-BAA753 Health Ethics, Law and Governance
• TAS-BAA770 Safety in Health Service Management

Healthcare Leadership

• TAS-BAA754 Health Finance, Economics and Accounting
• TAS-BAA755 Healthcare Organisational Behaviour
• TAS-CAM530 Systems Thinking in Public Health
• TAS-CAM618 Evaluating Health Interventions

Supply Chain and Logistics

• TAS-JNB522 Business Logistics
• TAS-JNB624 Supply Chain Management
• TAS-JNB637 Strategic Procurement Management
• TAS-JNB639 Warehousing and Inventory Management

Award Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 12 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 1.5-4 years from commencement.