online health informatics master's degree

The learner will utilize the theoretical framework of systems thinking as a strategy to address challenges in the health care environment. Topics include complexity science, design thinking, creativity, and flow.

The learner will explore the emerging intersection of marketing and economics in the health sector. Topics include consumer behavior, market segmentation, and identification of new market opportunities in health care, as well as regional/system commoditization, value proposition and differentiation, branding, and social media strategies in the health sector.

The learner will explore the diverse and expanding regulatory environment of the health sector. Topics include compliance and privacy, the ethical responsibilities inherent in leading regulatory structures within organizations, the specific laws that dictate privacy and compliance, as well as auditing, monitoring, and corrective action.

Learners will examine strategies for successfully elevating the role of the health care organization through a well-defined "brand". Topics will include brand-as-promise, brand-as-experience, and brand-as-emotional connection, quality and outcomes, articulating the strategy, and engaging teams and leaders.

The learner will be able to identify emerging healthcare trends in areas such as systems, delivery, outcomes and quality, healthcare design, and population health. Topics include how to scan the environment, validate information, make decisions, and articulate solutions that are appropriate across diverse health care contexts.

Students will examine how health policy and organizational governance informs systems and delivery of care, and identify the policies that should be adopted to implement industry trends. Topics include the influence of policy, interest groups, and stakeholders on the health status of a society, as well as how to cultivate effective governance systems within organizations, and the importance of risk-based policy and governance models in the health sector.

The learner will begin to identify networking opportunities within the health sector, both internally (i.e. industry associations, Boards of Directors) and externally (i.e. community, donors). Topics include objectively determining which relationships are vital to the organization, how to nurture relationships and manage transition, and maintain integrity to protect the organization.

The learner will begin to exemplify the traits of authentic and adaptive leadership in the context of the health sector. Topics include leading in complex environments (transparency, vulnerability, and servant leadership), modeling ethical decision making, creating and adjusting organizational culture, and meaningful collaboration.

Learners will respond to developing trends and insights across the health sector that inform workforce development and hiring. Topics include recruitment and retention strategies, succession planning, leadership strategies for a multigenerational workplace, embracing diversity, and considerations for positive morale and engagement.

The learner will operationalize health care sustainability in three ways: personal legacy, organizational environment, and community development. Topics include sustainability in a health sector context, mentorship, board and association leadership, economic analysis and sustainability practice within organizations, and fostering community interactions.

This course presents informatics as a strategic tool for the health administrator in sourcing and utilizing data.

This course will explore the ways in which data provides the foundation for healthcare information systems. Topics include the concepts of information and knowledge, as well as systems operations, reporting mechanisms, data exchange, and data taxonomies.

This course will focus on the systems life cycle in the context of selection, implementation, and integration of information systems across the health sector. Topics include performing interoperability assessments, determining key elements of data system designs, planning for end-user training and support, and securing buy-in from stakeholders.

In this MHA capstone course, learners will synthesize previous coursework from the program to identify and address strategic opportunities for change and innovation specific to the health sector. Topics include entre/intrapreneurship, innovation, communication, transformation, and execution.