Highlights and updates from the MS Health Informatics Program!

Information provided by Program Lead Linda Travis Macomber.

This summer, current San Diego MS Health Informatics students have been busy putting what they are learning into action by:

· Creating Digital Portfolios (DPs),

· Participating in the national Electronic Health Record (EHR) Showcase at Naval Medical Center San Diego,

· Interpreting best practice case studies,

· Developing health information technology strategic plans, and

· Simulating use of an EHR system using the National University Health IT simulation lab.

Here is what students had to say about their experiences:

· “The work that you do in class can actually serve a purpose. I am happy to let you know that I have now been assigned to assist with the certification process of our electronic health record.

“Classes have been interactive with real life experiences that further my knowledge of the health information technology field.”

· “The Digital Portfolio is a chance for us to compile, summarize, and integrate information we have learned into a webpage in a way that the common reader can understand. It has really made me think and process lessons learned in a way that I shall not forget....and if I do forget, I will turn to my webpage. It is an outstanding assignment.”

· “It is helpful to actually take a system for a test drive.”

The program that began on the San Diego campus in 2010 has achieved approval for online course delivery from WASC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (See the Aug post!). Linda Macomber reports that her decision to design the program to include the creation of DPs by students was a critical one for WASC approval. The DPs are a core signature assignment to assess the meeting of the Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). WASC liked the DP approach and Linda Macomber believes this element makes it is easier for a Program Lead to assess student learning and progress across courses – especially inter-professional courses that go outside of the program, department, and school. Macomber reports that students liked the approach, as evidenced by their comments above, as it is multi-media, interactive, educational, and a fun way to show evidence of learning to both faculty and prospective employers.

See below for a few snapshot examples of student projects (best viewed in Firefox):

Online classes for this program begin Oct 25. Be sure to share this post with interested students, staff, employers and faculty!