Health informatics is the interdisciplinary field that combines healthcare, information technology, and data management to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. It involves the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of healthcare information to facilitate better decision-making and enhance patient outcomes. Health informatics encompasses the design, development, and implementation of systems such as electronic health records (EHR), clinical decision support systems (CDSS), telemedicine, and health information exchange (HIE).
Key areas within health informatics include:
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Digital versions of patients’ medical histories, which can be shared and accessed across different healthcare settings.
- Health Data Analytics: Analyzing large sets of health data to identify trends, make predictions, and support decision-making.
- Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS): Tools that help healthcare providers make informed decisions by providing evidence-based recommendations.
- Telemedicine and Telehealth: Using technology to provide remote healthcare services and consultations.
- Health Information Exchange (HIE): Systems that allow different healthcare providers to share patient information securely and efficiently.
- Consumer Health Informatics: Tools and applications designed to help individuals manage their own health and wellness, such as health apps and wearable devices.
- Health IT Project Management: Overseeing the implementation and maintenance of health information systems and ensuring they meet healthcare needs.
- By leveraging technology and data, health informatics aims to enhance patient care, streamline healthcare processes, and support public health initiatives. It is a multidisciplinary approach to health science and Information and Communication Technologies.
Kathmandu University, School of Engineering is starting this program as extended Program in two of its affiliated medical colleges namely College of Medical Sciences (COMS), Bharatpur and Manipal College of Medical Sciences(MCOMS), Pokhara, along with its own campus located at Lung Center, Chaukot, Dhulikhel in support with School of Medical Sciences. The program will enroll 30 students per session in each constituent campuses.
The course will be taught by faculties from the Department of Health Informatics and the School of Medical Sciences. Also, subject experts from within Nepal and around the world will participate in teaching the program.
This is a four-year/eight-semester course that will comprise a total of 127 credits, including the final internship/capstone project and seminars.
The students will gain practical knowledge through several lab environments such as interoperability lab, database lab, network lab etc.
| Curriculum Structure | |||||||
| Kathmandu University | |||||||
| School Of Engineering | |||||||
| Bachelor in Health Informatics | |||||||
| Yeae/Sem | Course I | Course II | Course III | Course IV | Course V | Course VI | Total credit |
| I/I | Python Programming | Professional Communication | Calculus and Linear Algebra | Introduction to Public Health | Principle of Health Information System | Spectrum of Digital Health | 18 |
| I/II | Application Development Framework | Epidemiology | Terminology in Health Informatics | Bioinformatics | Technology-Enhanced Nursing Care | Health Quality Improvement and Safety | 18 |
| II/I | Pharmaco-Informatics | Planetary Health | Basics of Radiology | Biostatistics | Tele Health Care and Technology | Coding Classification and Standardization | 18 |
| II/II | Health-Care Database System | Network and System Administration | Population Dynamics and GIS | Inferential Statistics | Anthropology | Health Informatics Project I[2] | 17 |
| III/I | Health Data Policies and Governances | Digital Health Platform | Research Methodology | Elective I | Health Data Inter- Operability | 15 | |
| III/II | Health Economics | Health Data Analytics | Intelligent Health | Elective II | Software Engineering | Health Informatics Project II[2] | 17 |
| IV/I | Health Care Management System | Medical Image Processing | Psychology of Health and Illness
|
Elective III | Disease Surveillance and Monitoring | 15 | |
| IV/II | Internship/Capstone Project[6] | Seminar |
|
9 | |||
| Total | 127 | ||||||
| Electives | Electives | Electives | Electives |
| Clinico-matrics | Supply Chain Management | Block Chain technology in Health Data | Leaders in Health |
| Personalised Medicine | Global/Cross-border Health and Health Diplomacy | Cyber Security | Entomology |
| Precision Medicine | Change Management Strategy | Clinical NLP | Health Safety and Environmental Engineering |
| Clinical Governance of Digital Health | System Analysis and Design | Deep Learning | Enterprise Architecture |
| Safe and Effective Use of
Clinical Decision Support in Digital Health |
Common Program Language for Enterprise Solutions | API Management | Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) |
INFORMATION ON BACHELOR IN HEALTH INFORMATICS
| Degree Offering Institution | Kathmandu University |
| Title of Proposed Program | Bachelors in health informatics |
| Degree(s) to be offered | Bachelor’s in health informatics |
| Program Duration | 4 years (8 Semesters) |
| Credits | 127 credit hours |
| Responsible School | School of Engineering, Kathmandu University |
| Venue | As an extended program of School of Engineering, Kathmandu University, Bachelor in Health Informatics (BHI) is being commenced at Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara from January 20215. |
| Intake Size | 30 (Thirty) |
| Faculty Profile | Intellectual faculty profile at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, School of Medical Science as well as strong collaborations with both national and international academic and research institutions. |
| Intake Requirements | Candidates with +2 Science or equivalent with 50% or CGPA 2.0 in aggregate OR 3 years in Diploma in Engineering, Science, Technology, Health Sciences (Nursing, Health Assistant, Pharmacy, Lab Technology) or equivalent |
| Other Academic/Physical Resource |
|
| Contact | Please contact at Academic Cell, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara-11, Phulbari 061-576416-20, Extension 399
9802854066 and 9802031942 |
Candidates with +2 Science or equivalent with 50% or CGPA 2.0 in aggregate OR 3 years in diploma in Engineering, Science, Technology, Health Sciences (Nursing, Health Assistant, Pharmacy, and Lab Technology) or equivalent with 50% are eligible to apply.
Scope of Health Informatics
The aim of this program is to promote health data analytics, develop health information systems, and promote research and innovation in the field of health sciences. Health informatics professionals are highly demanded manpower not only in Nepal but also globally. So, Kathmandu University is at the forefront of establishing a bachelor’s in health informatics degree in Nepal.
Graduates with a Bachelor of Health Informatics degree can pursue various career paths within the healthcare and technology sectors. They are adept at managing and analyzing healthcare data, implementing and optimizing electronic health records (EHR) systems, and ensuring the security and privacy of patient information. These graduates can find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, public health organizations, and health IT vendors. They may work as health informatics specialists, clinical informatics analysts, health information managers, and EHR/EMR implementation specialists. Additionally, opportunities exist in consulting firms, insurance companies, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and tele-health providers.
Dr Rajan Basnet
Anesthesiology