Oregon Health & Science University Clinical Informatics Program
OHSU offers three tracks in their Biomedical Informatics program; a computational biology track, a health information management track, and a clinical informatics track. The clinical informatics track provides students with skills and knowledge on the development and maintenance of clinical information systems at healthcare organizations. OHSU offers a variety of graduate degrees and a certificate in clinical informatics. Students can complete the clinical informatics track to receive a PhD, Master of Science, Master of Biomedical Informatics, or a Certificate of Biomedical Informatics.
Interdisciplinary Studies
The clinical informatics track provides students with basic training in a variety of areas to prepare them for the interdisciplinary world of clinical informatics. Students are required to take courses in computer science, biostatistics, the practice of healthcare, and project management. In computer science, students learn the basics of Java programming, databases, and software engineering. They also get a glimpse into the world of a clinician with a course on the practice of healthcare. In this course, students receive training on the process of diagnosis and treatment of patients. They also get first-hand experience by shadowing a clinician as part of the course. Project management is another course that provides students with basic tools for managing large-scale projects at an organization.
Clinical Informatics Training
In addition to interdisciplinary courses offered at OHSU, students receive in-depth training on the specifics of clinical informatics. The curriculum begins with an introductory course on Biomedical Informatics. This course defines the subject and explains its uses in current society. The course is taught by William Hersh; the chair of the department at OHSU and a well-published author in the field. Other required courses include Clinical Information Systems, where students learn about current information systems such as electronic health records and constraints and requirements any clinician should consider before installing such a system. Courses contain information about quantitative and qualitative methods for research and design. Students also review current controversial topics in the field and their implications. They receive training in the ethics of medical decision making and oral and written communication.
Internship
Students earning a degree in the Clinical Informatics track of Biomedical Informatics are required to complete a thesis or capstone project. Most of these projects require first hand experience in the field. Students participate in an internship at an approved organization that deals with some aspect of clinical informatics and report on their experience and the project they worked on. This allows students the opportunity to expand on their knowledge of clinical informatics and narrow down their career options post-graduation.
References:
1) OHSU Biomedical Informatics: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/departments/clinical-departments/dmice/educational-programs/dmice-programs/index.cfm
2) OHSU Clinical Informatics: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/departments/clinical-departments/dmice/educational-programs/dmice-programs/masters.cfm#ci
3) William Hersh website: http://www.billhersh.info/
Submitted by Michelle Carter
