Master of Health Information Management

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.

Professional recognition

The Master of Health Information Management is recognised by the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators.

Higher education

For admission to this course you need to have one of the following:

• a) an Australian bachelor degree or equivalent level standard in any other institution majoring in a management, information management/technology or health related discipline and relevant work experience in the health sector; OR
• b) an Australian post-bachelor degree (Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master, or Doctorate) or equivalent level standard in any other institution in any discipline and relevant work experience in the health sector; OR
• c) an Australian bachelor degree or equivalent level standard in any other institution in an unrelated discipline and a minimum of two years relevant work experience in the health sector.

Work and Life

Other requirements at the discretion of the Executive Dean of the College of Business and Economics. Refer application to UTAS

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.

The health information workforce is a rapidly developing one. The Master of Health Information Management (MHIM) is an advanced course designed to provide 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; professional 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 in order to optimise their funding. Added to that is the push for efficiencies in the system through the use of E-health initiatives (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 coming years.

This degree is offered on a full fee-paying, part-time basis only (12 subjects over 2 to 3 years) to domestic students. All subjects are delivered primarily off campus (by distance), with non-mandatory, supporting intensive seminars in Sydney (approximately 6-10 days of intensives per year).

Recommended Study Pattern

Students complete eight core subjects, plus four subjects from a chosen specialisation.

Core Subjects

• TAS-BAA735 Health Data Management, Information Analysis and Improvement
• TAS-BAA753 Health Ethics, Law and Governance
• TAS-BAA756 Healthcare Systems, Safety and Quality
• TAS-BAA771 Strategic Information Management in Healthcare
• 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

Data Analytics

Strategic planning and the delivery of healthcare services to the community requires the application of highly complex data analysis knowledge and skills. This specialisation focuses upon the development of these capabilities to enable health professionals to be effective managers of services, departments and organisations.   

• TAS-BAA760 Health Ontologies, Terminologies, and Classifications
• TAS-BEA674 Data and Business Decision Making
• TAS-CAM528 Introduction to Epidemiology
• TAS-CRH608 Health Information Systems

Information Governance

Healthcare management relies upon the development, implementation and monitoring of complex information governance systems. This specialisation focuses upon the development of system and organisational perspectives to achieve corporate and clinical governance requirements.   

• TAS-BAA770 Safety in Health Service Management
• TAS-CRH602 E-Health
• TAS-CRH604 The Diffusion of Health Technology (Managing Change)
• TAS-CRH608 Health Information Systems

Strategic Leadership

To effectively lead healthcare organisations executives and managers need to understand the interrelated systems and behaviours that comprise them. This specialisation focuses upon examining systems, processes and behaviours to enable health professionals to be leaders in complex environments.  

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

Award Requirements

To successfully complete this degree, students complete a total of 8 subjects - five core subjects and three subjects in a chosen area of specialisation.