The Master of Science in Health Informatics program from Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine is designed to prepare students to meet the challenges and opportunities of a career in the health information technology sector. The three major focus areas of the program's curriculum are: computer science with a medical informatics focus, clinical informatics with a concentration in the areas of applications and evaluation, and business and management of health information technologies.
The M.S. in Health Informatics program can be completed entirely online allowing working professionals to obtain their degree or certificate without career disruption. The skills-based curriculum includes courses leading to Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, CPHIMSS, and NextGen certifications. A paid internship at NSU's clinics is also available, in addition to a number of practicum experience opportunities in the surrounding community and beyond.
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This on-line, interactive course is an introductory survey of the discipline of biomedical informatics. This course will introduce the student to the use of computers for processing, organizing, retrieving and utilizing biomedical information at the molecular, biological system, clinical and healthcare organization levels through substantial, but not overwhelming, reading assignments. The course is targeted at individuals with varied backgrounds including medical, nursing, pharmacy, administration, and computer science. The course will describe essential concepts in biomedical informatics that are derived from medicine, computer science and the social sciences.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This course introduces the fundamental principles of project management from an information technology (IT) perspective as it applies to healthcare organizations (HCOs). Critical features of core project management are covered including: integration management, scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, human resource management, communication management, risk management, and procurement management. Also covered is information technology management related to project management: user requirements management, infrastructure management, conversion management, software configuration, workflow management, security management, interface management, test management, customer management, and support management. The following areas of change management related to project management will also be covered: realization management, sponsorship management, transformation management, training management, and optimization management. Students will explore and learn hands-on skills with project management software assignments, and participate in a healthcare systems implementation course-long group project intended to apply these newly developed knowledge and skills in a controlled environment.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This course covers basic to intermediate knowledge of the concept, the design, and the implementation of database applications in healthcare. Students will study tools and data models for designing databases such as ER Model and SQL. The course also covers Relational DBMS systems such as SQL Server, Access, Oracle and MySQL. In addition, database connectivity design (essential in data-driven web development) and database administration will also be introduced. Students will practice designing, developing and implementing a test relational online health IT database application through a comprehensive project that contains the above topics.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
The course will cover concepts, applications and techniques of data security in healthcare system. Topics include healthcare industry, regulatory environment, decision making, policy assurance, information management, access control, risks and vulnerabilities management, database security, web security, personnel and physical security issues, and issues of law and privacy. Areas of particular focus include secure healthcare system design, implementation, data encryption and decryption, attacks, and techniques for responding to security breaches.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
The need to create effective, new solutions and innovative interventions to deliver quality patient care outside of the traditional medical setting is at the forefront of society today. The basis of this course will be providing a solid educational foundation for systems design & analysis, as it relates to current and future healthcare systems. In addition, this course will build upon the fundamental systems design & analysis principles to explore current and future healthcare systems that will include integration of disparate clinical healthcare systems, mobile technologies, as well as a combination of remote-monitoring technology, sensors, and online communications and intelligence to improve patient adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
Lean Six Sigma for Health Care (Yellow Belt) participants will learn the basic philosophy, tools, and techniques to deliver breakthrough business improvements that will reduce waiting times, improve quality, and reduce costs in a health care environment. More specifically, they will learn to apply a comprehensive set of 15-20 Lean Six Sigma process improvement tools by using the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) problem solving model. They will learn techniques for both quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as methods and tools for waste reduction and process enhancement and acceleration. The course also covers how to map out processes and identify sources of variation, as well as to gain a basic understanding of descriptive statistical analysis. Finally, they will learn how to perform basic pilot studies and analyze the results, in order to determine the most effective way to improve and stabilize processes. Candidates work on either an integrated health care case study or on an actual business project, and will apply classroom techniques to the project.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This course will provide an introductory, hands-on experience for life science researchers in bioinformatics using R and Bioconductor. Emphasis will be placed on accessing, formatting, and visualizing genomics data. Most analyses will deal with “little” data (no mapping or assembly of short reads), but some techniques to work with “big” data (e.g. BAM files) will be covered. Lecture and lab will both be held in a computer lab, so lecture will be “hands-on”. Working in small groups is encouraged.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: MI 5200, and HIPAA modules are prerequisites for MI7000. In addition, CITI certification is required for research projects. Students should complete HPD Medicine Module #13. The course director may also require specific electives to be completed depending on the nature of the project that the student chooses to perform.
Please note that students must have a GPA of at least 3.00 to be eligible to register for or participate in practicum work.
Description:
This is a required course for all MSBI students. The practicum allows the student to select an area of interest in which to apply the theories, concepts, knowledge, and skills gained during the didactic courses in a real-world setting. The student will work under the supervision of a site-based preceptor and an NSU-based faculty advisor.
The student is expected to acquire skills and experiences in the application of basic biomedical informatics concepts and specialty knowledge to the solution of health information technology (HIT) problems. Students will be actively involved in the development, implementation, or evaluation of an informatics-based application or project.
A specific set of measurable learning objectives and deliverables will be determined by the student, the site preceptor, and the NSU-based faculty advisor. These learning objectives must be approved by the course director. The student’s area of interest would be determined at an earlier point in the program or by the needs of the precepting organization.
The practicum is evaluated by completion of an ePortfolio. The ePortfolio is an evidence based digital format method to assess the quality and quantity of learning gained from a student practicum experience. The ePortfolio is standardized in its structure and format yet individualized in its content for each student. Overall, the ePortfolio is a goal-driven documentation of professional growth and achieved competencies during the practicum. The ePortfolio combines self-reflection, instructor assessments, and documentation supplied by students (evidence/samples) to document what they learned/produced, and is used to help students prepare for career transition/development.
Students are responsible for finding their own practicum site. Once a site is located, the Program Office will facilitate a legal affiliation agreement between the site and the Program. Some practicum sites may require background checks, drug screening, and immunization records. Students are responsible for any associated costs.
Learning Objectives:
Individualized
Choose three courses from below.
No. of Credits: 3
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This course covers major concepts, systems and methodology in managing healthcare information systems. Topics will include concepts in: system implementation and support, information architecture, IT governance in health care, information systems standards, organizing IT services, strategic planning, IT alignment with the healthcare facility, and management’s role in major IT initiatives.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
The dynamics of human-computer interaction (HCI) directly impacts health care. This course will introduce the student to usable interfaces and the study of social consequences associated with the changing environment due to technology innovation.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: MI 5120, MI 5130, MI 5200
Description:
This course introduces students to theoretical, statistical, and practical concepts underlying modern medical decision making. Students will be provided a review of the multiple methods of knowledge generation for clinical decision support systems (CDSS) and create their own prototype of CDSS. Current implementations of stand-alone and integrated CDSS will be evaluated. Techniques for planning, management, and evaluation of CDSS implementations will be reviewed. Human factors, including work-flow integration, and the ethical, legal and regulatory aspects of CDSS use will be explored, as applicable to commercial implementations in patient care settings. Future models of healthcare, supported by CDSS and evidence-based medicine, will be discussed and reviewed.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: MI 5120, MI 5130, MI 5200
Description:
This interactive course will introduce students to various evaluation methods for healthcare informatics systems, projects and proposals. Students will consider both quantitative and qualitative methods of evaluation as they examine the design and implementation processes.
Learning Objectives:
No. of Credits: 3
Description:
This on-line course is an introduction to the management of employees in healthcare organizations (HCO’s). It is anticipated that this practical learning experience can be transferred to their day-to-day managerial responsibilities.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This course focuses on the principles and reasoning underlying modern biostatistics and on inferential techniques commonly used in public health research. Students will be able to apply basic inferential methods in research endeavors and improve their abilities to understand the data analysis of health-related research articles.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
Examines basic principles and methods of modern epidemiology used to assess disease causation and distribution. Students develop conceptual and analytical skills to measure association and risk, conduct epidemiological surveillance, evaluate screening and diagnostic test, as well as investigate disease outbreaks and epidemics.
Learning Objectives
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
MI-6404 is an elective course designed as a student/self-directed course. In consultation with the chosen advisor/mentor and the course director, the student will determine a focused topic of quasi-independent study, research, or other appropriate learning activity. A final paper or other appropriate document(s) will serve as documentation of having met the mutually agreed upon objectives.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
Public health informatics is the systematic application of information and computer science and technology to public health practice, research and learning. This course focuses on developing the knowledge and skills of systemic application of information, computer science, and technology to public health practice. Students will acquire a basic understanding of informatics in public health practice, and be able to apply the skills of using some informatics tools in public health practices.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This course provides an introduction to the skills of grant writing in biomedical informatics. Each student will submit a completed grant application as a culminating experience. This course introduces students to grant development and preparation so that they can participate in the process of obtaining public or private funds to support research, education and/or service projects.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
Consumer Health Informatics is a relatively new application of information technologies in the field of health care that aims to engage and empower consumers to become involved in their health care. This course provides an introduction to, and overview of, consumer health informatics, mobile health (mHealth), and social media applications used in healthcare. It explores the development of consumers as ePatients and tools such as personal health records (PHRs), as well as the fluid nature of social media in medicine and the emerging area of mobile health (mHealth). Students will learn from a combination of lectures and a hands-on approach of interacting directly with the tools and technologies discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This class will provide students with introductory understanding of clinical analysts’ daily responsibilities and functions within hospitals. Students will be introduced to daily operations of clinical software systems and lead to understand how such systems are used by health care organizations to provide quality care services.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
Telemedicine is the exchange of health information from one side to another utilizing electronic communications. This course introduces the student to fundamental concepts and knowledge of telemedicine technologies, its application and usage including: essential aspects of communication networks and services; wired and wireless infrastructures; safeguarding medical data including health information privacy; systems deployment; patient monitoring and care; information processing; and future trends in telemedicine will be studied. Discussions areas include telemedicine: technical perspectives; scalability to support future growth; integration with legacy infrastructures and interoperability; history; trauma; emergencies and disasters; clinical applications; and other critical components of telemedicine technologies.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: MI 6413
Description:
Lean Six Sigma for Health Care (Green Belt) participants will learn intermediate level tools, and techniques to deliver breakthrough business improvements that will reduce waiting times, improve quality, and reduce costs in a health care environment. More specifically, they will learn to apply a comprehensive set of 15-20 Lean Six Sigma process improvement tools by using the DMAIC (define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) problem solving model. They will learn techniques for both quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as methods and tools for work flow enhancement and acceleration. The course also covers how to map out processes and identify sources of variation, as well as to gain a basic understanding of inferential statistical analysis. Finally, they will learn how to perform how to implement lean management tools and philosophy, in order to improve and stabilize processes. Candidates work on either an integrated health care case study or on an actual business project, and will apply class techniques to the project. There will be additional practice with basic tools to help promote mastery.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: MI 5120, MI 5130, MI 5200
Description:
This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of set-up and using the applications of one of the most commonly used electronic health record systems in the US, NextGen, in clinical settings. Students will be required to complete the NextGen e-learning modules before the on campus hands on training sessions.
This course is required for the competitive internship opportunity in the NSU clinics (more details to follow).
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
The course will introduce the clinical workflow analysis as a method of choice to improve clinical processes in healthcare delivery systems. Students will review the primary objectives for process improvement in clinical healthcare: outcome quality (including patient safety) and the development of health information technology (HIT) to support the Electronic Health Record (EHR) with initiatives showing a significant impact on clinical workflows (e.g. meaningful use). Students will define the functional components of the healthcare activities and learn to map on a flowchart the standard symbols used to represent all tasks and steps, decision points, resources, and outcomes of the clinical workflow. Students will apply the tools of workflow analysis by assessing a workflow in a healthcare setting using graphical representations of 0the workflow phases (current state, desired state), and process defects identification and classification. The course will introduce the quantitative measures of workflow improvement used in Lean Six-Sigma. Students will formalize a proposal for an intervention aimed at the modification and optimization of a clinical workflow.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
The course will expose students to healthcare “big data” focused on current needs such as population health, outcome reporting, clinical decision support, physician quality measurement, and various other measures including CMS initiatives such as meaningful use and Medicare and payer quality reporting requirements. The course will use current real world problem scenario’s where data analytics and visualization can be applied to successfully report on and solve various problem prevalent in today’s value based payer model. Students will learn how to do large scale data mining and the infrastructures needed to support the various system designs such as Hadoop ecosystems and Hadoop based tools. The student will be exposed to the application of predictive analytics specific to healthcare with an understanding of using data to help deliver quality and safe patient care as well as data driven methods of improving care. The course will expose students to real time data analytics where data is collected and reported on around the clock. The course will also expose student to mobile data acquisition and analysis coming from various local and remote devices. This course will introduce students to data visualization methods which will teach them how to communicate analytical insights to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This advanced cognitive engineering systems course expands upon introductory topics presented as parts of the clinical decision support and analytics courses to take a deeper dive into data science and artificial intelligence algorithms, with application to such medical specialties as oncology, cardiology, radiology, and neurology. It provides students with skills necessary to undertake programmatic analysis of patient information data sets, apply unsupervised learning techniques to enhance outcomes of the predictive and prescriptive analytics methods, use supervised learning methods to represent evidence based guidelines and detect medical fraud, compare and analyze graphs and images, and apply natural language processing techniques to ingest and analyze text information.
Learning Objectives:
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This course would introduce students to a variety of mathematical techniques that are commonly used in healthcare analytics and biomedical informatics. The emphasis would be on developing an understanding of the methods, their uses, and their limitations. Mathematical rigor would not be emphasized, but an understanding of the meaning and uses of the techniques. The instruction would also include inculcating a mathematical mindset in the students which would allow them to extend their knowledge and understanding to further areas as needed in their future endeavors.
Learning Objectives:
For general inquiries or questions, please contact:
Roseanne Alhindi
Health Informatics/Coordinator - Student Outreach
ra1167@nova.edu
(954) 262-4189
Steve Bronsburg Ph.D., M.S., M.H.S.A.
Director of the Master of Science in Health Informatics Program
bronsbur@nova.edu
(954) 262-1566