University of Technology Sydney

92031 Fundamentals of Health Information and Records Management

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 92638c Foundations of the Australian Healthcare System
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills to determine how health information is organised, managed, used, shared and acted on in order to deliver effective health outcomes. Students are introduced to the concepts of health information and health informatics, its management and importance. National and local data collections are reviewed. Electronic health records and computerised personal health records are investigated. Students gain exposure to a range of information systems used in different healthcare settings and experience the range of roles health information managers undertake via site visits and guest lectures. The core information management and informatics skills acquired from this subject enable health information management graduates to work effectively to manage and use health information as a strategic resource.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Apply knowledge of the capture, structure and content of the healthcare record to uses of health information in different settings
B. Appraise and manage health information in multiple environments (paper, digital, electronic, web-based)
C. Assess and manage healthcare record functions to ensure health information is available to meet clinical, operational and strategic needs
D. Design systems and collection tools for data capture
E. Interpret and apply appropriate laws, regulations, standards and policies to manage appropriate access, release and disclosure of identifiable and non-identifiable personal health information

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

1. Critical thinking:
1.1 Critique, interpret and synthesise data and research findings to develop safe, effective and evidence-based solutions to healthcare challenges

2. Leadership:
2.2 Develop and contribute to research and quality improvement activities in order to maintain knowledge currency and influence healthcare practice and policy

3. Accountability:
3.2 Validate the importance of integrating stakeholder partnerships in all healthcare decision making activities

4. Communication:
4.1 Value and choose highly effective and sensitive communication with diverse populations to enable positive and sustainable change in healthcare practice, policy and research at an advanced level

Teaching and learning strategies

Pre-session learning
Students access online learning resources such as podcasts, videos and literature prior to attending face-to-face on-campus sessions to improve their confidence in approaching the proposed content, afford them time to construct questions, and facilitate discussion in class, resulting in shared learning, experiences and reflections. The specific sessions will be detailed in this subject outline and all resources will be located on UTSOnline.

Blend of online and face-to-face strategies
This subject benefits from both the real time delivery of content and access to resources via UTSOnline, including podcasts, videos and learning resources. The face-to-face workshops provide a variety of activities for each content area which will be explored through problem based learning activities, undertaken in groups or individually.

Site visits
Reinforcing the theoretical concepts presented in this subject to professional practice will be achieved by the inclusion of site visits to a range of health care facilities, government agencies and private companies. In this way students have the opportunity to experience firsthand the scope and context of health information that exists throughout the healthcare system and the diverse roles of health information management professionals.

Presentations by industry specialists
This enables students to gain insight into the management of health information by engaging with leading industry experts, and learning from their experience and wisdom.

ePortfolios
This online record encourages students to take an active role in their learning experience by documenting, observing and reviewing their progress throughout the subject. It is a powerful tool for focusing awareness or attention on self-assessment and the development of a professional identity, as well as promoting the integration of subject matter learned throughout the different components of their course major.

Content (topics)

Health information:

  • health information as a strategic resource
  • sources of health information
  • health information systems
  • health information management frameworks

Health care records:

  • data elements and data sets
  • design, content and structure
  • paper records
  • hybrid records
  • electronic records
  • personal health records

Principles of data capture and data management:

  • data concepts and standards
  • data quality
  • data reporting
  • interpretation and usage
  • health data dictionaries

Medico-legal and health information privacy:

  • legislative framework
  • privacy principles
  • confidentiality
  • consent
  • security
  • ethics

Health information across the continuum of care:

  • acute care information systems
  • community health information systems
  • data registries
  • governmental data agencies
  • consumer informatics

Health information profession:

  • role of health information professionals
  • professional and ethical practice
  • professional organisations

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Online discussion forum

Intent:

This assessment contributes to student learning by assisting students to consider important aspects of current and emerging trends in health information and records management. It also develops their capacity for critical judgement in relationship to those trends. It will also enhance their capacity for critical self-reflection and peer feedback.

Students will receive feedback on their contribution to the discussion board in accordance with the following criteria

  • Ability to post answers online which are well argued and succinct;
  • Reflection is structured, thoughtful and clearly demonstrates evidence of learning;
  • Responses to peers are thoughtful and constructive to learning.
Weight: 30%
Length:

300 words per post (i.e.1-2 paragraphs)

Assessment task 2: Data capture – design and implementation

Intent:

This assessment task will provide students with the opportunity to apply principles and conventions related to the design, content and structure of electronic health record screens/views and their implementation into an electronic database. A fundamental aspect of this task is consideration of the user perspective, noting this applies to health consumers as well as clinicians and healthcare professionals. NB: This assessment task runs concurrently between 92031 and 92032, such that the data capture tool designed in 92031 will be applied to the database constructed in 92032.

Weight: 40%
Length:

2000 words (1500 word report; 1 x A4 hardcopy data capture screen)

Assessment task 3: Applying privacy principles

Intent:

This assessment task provides students with the opportunity to apply current legislation, standards and policies to medico-legal scenarios related to the storage, retention, access and use of identifiable and non-identifiable patient data.

Weight: 30%
Length:

15 minute presentation; double-sided A4 handout

Other resources

UTS Student Centre
Building 10

Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts

For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/ or Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.

UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.

The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.

The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.