Leading Change in Health Informatics

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/leading-change-health-informatics

Introduction

### Course Review: Leading Change in Health Informatics In the increasingly data-driven world of healthcare, the significance of health informatics cannot be overstated. For professionals aspiring to climb the ranks to positions such as Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) or Senior Director of Clinical Informatics, the **Leading Change in Health Informatics** course on Coursera stands as a beacon of knowledge and skill-building. #### Overview The course is offered by the esteemed Johns Hopkins University, renowned for its contributions to public health and medical education. Aimed at professionals like nurses, pharmacists, and physicians, this course is particularly designed for those looking to transition into the realms of big data and health IT. The curriculum is steeped in expertise, featuring insights from industry veterans who have successfully harnessed big data to revolutionize healthcare practices. #### Course Syllabus Breakdown The course is structured into four comprehensive modules, each targeting essential components of health informatics leadership: 1. **Leading Change in Health Informatics**: This module introduces the vital elements of leadership, teamwork, and governance within the health informatics field. With practical applications of an 8-step change process, students gain a solid foundation in what organizational readiness assessments entail. The emphasis on clinical governance and clinical decision support systems lays a critical groundwork for future modules. 2. **Project Management for Health Informaticists**: Understanding project management is key for informatics professionals. This module covers fundamental terminology used in health IT project management, guiding students through the project lifecycle and highlighting common pitfalls like groupthink and scope creep. Real-world case studies bridge theory with practice, helping learners visualize project management in action. 3. **Strategic Planning in Health IT**: Strategic planning is paramount in any transformative healthcare initiative. This module prepares students for real-world challenges by analyzing case studies on mHealth, hospital acquisitions, and telemedicine. Familiarity with strategic planning tools such as SWOT analysis and scenario planning equips students with the skills necessary for effective decision-making in procurement and vendor evaluation. 4. **Change Management**: Change management is crucial for the successful implementation of health information systems. The introduction of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, coupled with insights on usability challenges and go-live readiness assessments, enhances learners' abilities to manage transitions effectively. The focus on communication and documentation best practices assures that graduates are well-prepared to lead their teams through times of change. #### Course Highlights The course shines in its application-based learning approach. Each module incorporates real case studies and interviews with subject matter experts, providing a rich learning experience that translates theoretical knowledge into practical skills. Additionally, the insights into contemporary issues like the hype surrounding digital medicine versus its practical benefits are invaluable, ensuring that learners are grounded in reality while navigating the complexities of health informatics. #### Recommendation If you aspire to be a leader in health informatics, the **Leading Change in Health Informatics** course is an indispensable resource. Beyond the foundational knowledge it imparts, the course positions you to strategically approach health IT challenges with confidence and expertise. Whether you are a seasoned healthcare professional looking to pivot your career or an emerging informatician eager to learn the ropes, this course offers unparalleled insights and valuable networking opportunities through its association with Johns Hopkins University. This well-designed curriculum, combined with expert instruction, makes the course a highly recommended step towards achieving your career goals in health informatics. Enroll today, and take a decisive step towards leading change in the dynamic world of healthcare technology!

Syllabus

Leading Change in Health Informatics

This module introduces students to the role of leadership, teamwork, and governance in health informatics. We use various real world examples to help familiarize you with a well known 8-step process for successfully leading change. During the module, students will be oriented to the purpose of organizational readiness assessments. You'll learn about the role of clinical governance in health IT and the role it plays in designing and optimizing clinical decision support systems.

Knowing how to manage projects effectively is an essential skill for health informaticians. In this module, students will be introduced to the standard terminology in project management. We’ll start by defining what a project is and explaining the phases of a project life cycle in the context of health IT.  You'll become familiar with the role of a work breakdown structure, Gantt Charts, and process maps. You'll see examples of common project related pitfalls such as groupthink and scope creep. Throughout the course, we incorporate case studies from real health informaticians in the field, both clinical and non-clinical, to illustrate the importance of each of these concepts. 

This modules introduces students to the importance of strategic planning when leading healthcare transformation efforts. Case studies on the role of strategic planning in mHealth, hospital acquisitions and various telemedicine initiatives are woven in throughout the course with interviews of subject matter experts from across Johns Hopkins.  Students will learn about commonly used strategic planning tools such as: SWOT and Scenario Planning. We’ll also review the considerations that go into an organization's decision to Build or Buy and students will be oriented to commonly used terms in procurement such as RFIs, RFPs, TCO, and ROI. During the course, you'll be introduced to the basics of vendor evaluation and will have gain experience in using a vendor evaluation matrix for purposes of decision making.

In this module we’ll cover the complexities of change management in health information systems. Students will be introduced to the PDSA (Plan Do Study Act) cycle. We'll demonstrate the value of taking into account the current clinical workflow and how any intervention will impact it.  Challenges associated with usability and workarounds with health information systems are explored. Students will have an opportunity to review and critically interpret a go-live-readiness assessment. This module covers best practices in change management and the need for proper documentation and effective communication of changes.