Course Title: Medical Informatics

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Medical Informatics

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
MEDS1142	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	160H Medical Sciences	Internet	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010

Course Coordinator: Prof Denise Jackson

Course Coordinator Phone: 61 3 9925-7392

Course Coordinator Email: denise.jackson@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Students should have a working knowledge and experience of either diagnostic and/or medical research laboratories that allow them to contextualize their learning to the professional practice of Laboratory Medicine.

Course Description

This course examines the latest developments in the use of information technology in the practice of laboratory medicine. Students will be introduced to the technological advances that underpin the use of expert systems, image analysis, Laboratory Information Systems and the Internet in the operation of modern diagnostic and research laboratories.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Having studied the topics in this course it is intended that you will be able to:
- discuss network systems and their application in medical laboratories;
- discuss the issues surrounding the security of digital information especially as it relates to patient healthcare information;
- discuss the application of image analysis software and expert systems/decision support systems in the healthcare and medical research environment;
- perform basic software functions using word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation and image analysis programs, and
- demonstrate an understanding of the need for standards in the formatting, distribution and storage of medical information.

Overview of Learning Activities

The syllabus is covered in three independent learning modules. The themes for the modules are Networks and the Internet, Application Software, Laboratory Information Systems and standards applicable to the transfer, storage and interpretation of medical information.. Each module contains an overview of the topics to be covered, learning outcomes that address the overall objectives of the course to guide the student learning process, learning materials related to the topics, links to web-based learning resources and critical thinking questions. Students will also participate in ongoing discussion and communication using online discussion groups and e-mail.

Overview of Learning Resources

Prescribed textbooks
There is no prescribed text in this course. Students will be referred to a range of literature sources appropriate to the topics for each module.

Recommended references
Handbook of Medical Informatics (http://www.mieur.nl/mihandbook/r_3_3/)

Journals
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (http://intl.jamia.org)

Overview of Assessment

The assessment in this course will consist of three assignments based on the modules. Students will also be required to maintain a learning journal, which is a compulsory component of the assessment.