What Is Health Informatics? Definition + How to Get Started

Health informatics pairs the tools and methods of data analytics with the systems and objectives of the health care industry. Whether improving patient care, modernizing treatment plans, or containing public health outbreaks, health informatics has played a part in some of the biggest changes in health care over the two decades.   

The impact that health informatics has had on health care, alongside the unique skill set required of professionals, means that jobs are often in demand and pay higher than average salaries. Read on to learn more about the field, some of the common careers that define it, and what you can do to get started.  

Health informatics definition

Health informatics is a multidisciplinary field that uses data analytics to develop insights and drive innovations in the health care industry. Professionals in the field use big data and artificial intelligence produced through the digitization of health care records, systems, and processes to improve patient care, public health, and overall health outcomes.

The applications are wide. In addition to improving patient portals, creating cloud-based health care systems, and personalizing treatment plans, health care informatics is also used to develop new medical technology and design public health strategies. Furthermore, the field of health informatics is also set to deliver improved patient outcomes and make health care systems more efficient by optimizing health care delivery and centralizing important information such as medical records.

Health informatics vs health information management

Though they share many similarities, health informatics and health information management are not the same.

Health information management is concerned with managing health care data by recording and storing patient information and developing the processes around them.

Health informatics, meanwhile, uses collected data to create health care insights, improve patient care, and develop new approaches to providing care to both individuals and the public. 

Salary, job outlook, and roles

As a field that combines data analytics with health care, the job outlook and expected salaries for data-oriented health care professionals are positive. In this section, you will learn about some of the jobs that define the field, the salary range you can expect from them, and the overall job outlook. 

Health informatics salary

The jobs that comprise the field often receive a higher-than-average salary. According to Glassdoor, the average annual salaries for some of the most common careers are as follows [1,2,3,4]: 

• Health informatics specialist – $66,773

• Data analyst – $71,228

• Health informatics analyst – $76,726

• Nursing informatics specialist – $135,125

Read more: Health Informatics Salary: 2023 Guide

Health informatics job outlook

Although the BLS doesn’t specifically collect information about health informatics, it does collect information on both the health care field and data-oriented occupations. Pairing the outlooks on both of these fields paints a very positive picture of the future of data-driven health care. 

According to the BLS, health care occupations are projected to grow by 13 percent between 2021 and 2031, adding a further 2 million new jobs [5]. Similarly, the BLS projects that operations research analysts – the job category under which data analyst falls – will grow by 23 percent between the same period [6]. In effect, it can be assumed that health informatics will have a positive outlook for the foreseeable future. 

Health informatics roles

As a multidisciplinary field with a range of applications in the health care industry, it encompasses numerous jobs, such as: 

• Health informatics specialist 

• Clinical informatics specialists

• Health informatics analyst

• Data analyst

• Systems analyst

• Database analyst

• Nursing informatics specialist

Check out this video from the highly-rated course from the University of Minnesota:

How to get started in health informatics

Different health informatics positions require different credentials and education levels. To pursue a health informatics career, you need to go through the right programs. Below are some of the most common credentials for health informatics professionals: 

Health informatics certificate

Many certificates are designed for established professionals and those looking to enter the field. Unlike longer-term degrees, certificates are typically the result of shorter-term study programs or an examination that tests your current skills and knowledge. Some common certificates include:

• The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) provides the Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) certification. To take the CHDA exam, you must have an RHIT or RHIA credential, or a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university. AHIMA recommends that course takers have three years of health care data experience. 

• The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) offers the AMIA Health Informatics Certificate (AHIC) to professionals who pass a 150-item multiple-choice test. To qualify for the certificate you must have a master’s degree or higher with eligibility requirements changing based on your educational level and professional work experience. 

Health informatics associate degree

Associate degrees in health informatics or a related field introduce you to the fundamental concepts required to enter the field. These courses can prepare you for some entry-level positions, such as medical coder.

Common names for associate degrees in this field include Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information technology and Health Information Management Associate Degree. 

Health informatics bachelor's degree

If you’re hoping to enter the field, you will likely benefit from obtaining a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Informatics or a related field, such as computer science or health science. In addition to training students in profession-specific skills, some employers might also prefer candidates with bachelor’s degrees.

Master’s in health informatics

A Master of Science (MS) in Health Informatics or a related field, such as public health, can make you a more competitive applicant for more senior positions. Some common jobs in the field that either require or can benefit from obtaining a master’s degree include informatics director, pharmacy informaticist, and nursing informatics specialists.