The health information management (HIM) field is not entirely a new one. This field of medical science has been around for decades. However, what HIM encompasses today is a lot different from what the field looked like when it had just begun, dating back to the 1920s.
Back then, Health Information Management centered on medical records documented in paper form and manually filed by professionals known as records librarians. In today’s digital world and with the widespread computerization of health records, health records have been streamlined to electronic health records (EHR) systems. Therefore, traditional based records are being replaced fast with electronic records. Health information has come a long way.
Universities Offering BSc Health Information Management
What is Health Information Management
Health information management is the collection, gathering, analysis, storage and protection of health records and information belonging to patients. Even now, this information can still be paper based, a combination of both paper and digital, also known as hybrid or in most cases, fully electronic.
If you are interested in the medical sciences but do not want to be directly involved in patient care, you should consider a career in Health information management.
This article provides a list of Nigerian universities that offer Health Information Science. Read on below:
- Abia State College Of Health Sciences And Management Technology, Aba
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, School Of Health Information Management, Kano state
- College Of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross River State
- College Of Health Technology, Zawan, Plateau State
- Nkst College Of Health Technology, Mkar
- Ogun State College Of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State
- Rivers State College Of Health Science
- School Of Health Information Management, University College Hospital, Ibadan
- School Of Health Information Management, University Of Benin Teaching Hospital
- School Of Health Information Management, University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
- School Of Health Information Management, Lagos University Teaching Hospital
- School Of Health Information Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
- School Of Health Information Management, Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital
- School Of Health Information Management, University Of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
- Shehu Idris College Of Health Sciences And Technology, Makarfi
- University Of Calabar Teaching Hospital School Of Health Information Management Science
Health information management (HIM) is simply the science of information management applied to health care systems. It has to do with acquiring, analyzing and protecting digital and traditional medical information that are essential to providing quality patient care. Bsc health information management is a course that relates with all other fields in the medical sciences. Thus, it helps student to interact with all fields and levels of health care organizations. These data and information are also used in making decisions regarding patients.
Scope of Health Information science
Health Information science defines how health information and data is technically captured, transmitted and used to serve its purpose. Health information science focuses on information systems, informatics principles, and information technology as it is relates to healthcare systems.
It is a multifaceted discipline which includes fields such as but not limited to:
- Management science
- Management engineering principles
- Healthcare delivery
- Public health
- Patient safety
- Information science
- Computer technology.
Admission requirements for Health Information Science
The O’level subject combination and requirements needed to study Health Information Management are:
Candidates applying for Health Information Science must have five credit passes at WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NABTEB/NECO or other equivalent examinations. Results must be obtained at not more than two (2) sittings. These papers must include English Language, Mathematics, Biology/Health Sciences, and two other subjects from:
Chemistry
Physics
Geography
Economics
Religious Knowledge
Nigerian Language
Subject Combination / JAMB UTME Requirements
Health Information Management is a science course under the Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical & Health Sciences. In UTME, please note that English Language is compulsory for this course. The three (3) other JAMB UTME subject combination needed to study Health Information Management are:
Mathematics
Chemistry, and
Physics /Biology
Requirements via direct entry
To apply for Health Information Management as a Direct Entry candidate, you must meet the following requirement:
- NCE with Grade B in Health related subjects such as:
Physical Health Education
Science Education
- Higher National Diploma (upper credit) in any of the following fields:
Community Health Office Training Certificate
Health Superintendent
Environment Health Officer
Medical Lab science
Registered Nurse
Candidates with ND certificates in Health Information Management must be able to show evidence of one year industrial training. Such candidate must also possess professional license certificate by the Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria (HRORBN).
All these is in addition to having five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology/Health Sciences, and any other subject.
Job prospects for graduates of health information management
Graduates of health information management can work in health care facilities such as hospitals, physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, long term care facilities and public health agencies. A bachelor’s degree in health information management can also get one a job in supervisory/director roles, medical records, health care management and consulting, health education.
Health information manager
The job role of a health information manager is to maintain and ensure the security and accuracy of all patient records and data. Professionals in this space are expected to be up to date with consistently evolving information technology. He or she also oversees medical recordkeeping teams and ensures all other departments of a health care facility act in compliance with laws relating to health information systems.
Medical coder
A medical coder is also a health information technician. Medical coders are typically responsible for reviewing all patient information so the data can be coded properly.
Data analyst
Graduates of Health Information science also function as data analysts. In general, a data analyst in healthcare studies is one who compiles medical data. Data analysts do more than just gather data, they analyze data to draw out findings such as the effectiveness of a particular treatment, cost saving effort, patient safety initiatives etc.
Clinical systems manager
Clinical systems manager is responsible for updating and maintaining computer systems used in healthcare facilities. Skills needed for this job includes: Tech skills, specialized knowledge about healthcare-specific hardware, software and networks.