
Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Clinical Informatics, Healthcare Project Management, Health Technology, Change Control, Health Systems, Health Policy, Informatics, Health Care, Medical Records, Health Care Administration, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Health Information Management, Clinical Leadership, Decision Support Systems, Solution Design, Health Information Management and Medical Records, IT Management, Electronic Medical Record System, Data Science
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Northeastern University
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Health Information Management, Health Systems, Health Technology, Clinical Informatics, Health Care, Health Information Management and Medical Records, Health Care Administration, Data Sharing, Electronic Medical Record, Interoperability, Decision Support Systems, Data Management, Data Storage, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Illinois Tech
Skills you'll gain: Clinical Informatics, Data Ethics, Health Informatics, Responsible AI, Electronic Medical Record System, Health Care, Health Technology, Clinical Data Management, Healthcare Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Decision Support Systems, Machine Learning, Data Quality, Generative AI
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Electronic Medical Record, Clinical Informatics, Health Technology, Health Information Management, Clinical Documentation, Decision Support Systems, Practice Management Software, Technical Support, End User Training and Support, Patient Registration, Databases, Change Control, Interoperability, Authentications
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Health Care, Medical Records, Health Information Management, Clinical Informatics, Electronic Medical Record System, Databases, Data Analysis, Data Quality, Interoperability, Big Data, Query Languages, Data Science
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Illinois Tech
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Clinical Informatics, Interoperability, Health Systems, Medical Records, Health Information Management, ICD Coding (ICD-9/ICD-10), Health Care, Medical Terminology, Stakeholder Engagement, Data Analysis
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Medical Privacy, Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance, Electronic Medical Record, Telehealth, Patient Safety, Health Technology, Health Information Management, Clinical Informatics, Security Awareness, Personally Identifiable Information, Encryption, Help Desk Support, Medical Equipment, Desktop Support, System Support, End User Training and Support, Health Care, Patient Communication, Technical Support, Customer Support
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Imperial College London
Skills you'll gain: Health Technology, Data Visualization Software, Telehealth, Agile Methodology, Health Disparities, Health Informatics, Health Care, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Health Systems, Electronic Medical Record, digital literacy, Interoperability, Clinical Data Management, Public Health, Tableau Software, Model Evaluation, Data Ethics, Digital Transformation, User Centered Design, Analytics
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Dimensionality Reduction, Unsupervised Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Markov Model, Network Analysis, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Statistical Analysis, Biology, Algorithms, Classification Algorithms, Data Mining, Data Preprocessing, Python Programming
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Colorado System
Skills you'll gain: Responsible AI, Agentic systems, Data Ethics, Machine Learning Algorithms, Agentic Workflows, Data Governance, AI Enablement, Health Systems, Machine Learning Methods, Health Informatics, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Digital Transformation, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Generative AI Agents, Machine Learning, Health Technology, Health Information Management, Information Technology, Information Systems
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of California, Davis
Skills you'll gain: Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Integration, Data Dictionary, Data Validation, Health Informatics, Data Cleansing, Data Modeling, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Synthesis, Health Systems, Fraud detection, Data Management, Metadata Management, Health Care, Analytics, Clinical Data Management, Data Mapping, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Value-Based Care
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Colorado System
Skills you'll gain: Tidyverse (R Package), Clinical Data Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Modeling, Clinical Research, Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance, Medical Privacy, Data Manipulation, Predictive Modeling, Database Design, Google Cloud Platform, Intensive Care Unit, Data Ethics, Data Quality, Natural Language Processing, Bioinformatics, Informatics, Text Mining, Clinical Informatics, R Programming
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Health informatics is the intersection of healthcare, information technology, and data management. It involves the collection, analysis, and application of health data to improve patient care and health outcomes. The importance of health informatics lies in its ability to enhance the efficiency of healthcare systems, facilitate better decision-making, and support public health initiatives. By leveraging technology and data, health informatics professionals can help streamline processes, reduce costs, and ultimately improve the quality of care provided to patients.
A variety of job opportunities exist in health informatics, catering to different skill sets and interests. Common roles include health informatics specialist, clinical data analyst, health information manager, and health IT consultant. Additionally, positions such as public health informatics officer and nursing informatics leader are also prominent. These roles often require collaboration with healthcare providers, IT professionals, and policymakers to ensure that health data is effectively utilized to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
To succeed in health informatics, you will need a blend of technical and soft skills. Key technical skills include data analysis, knowledge of electronic health records (EHR), and familiarity with health information systems. Additionally, understanding data privacy regulations and health informatics standards is crucial. Soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are equally important, as you will often work with diverse teams to implement solutions that improve healthcare delivery.
There are several excellent online courses available for those interested in health informatics. For a comprehensive understanding, consider the Health Informatics Specialization, which covers essential topics and practical applications. Other notable courses include Health Informatics for Healthcare Professionals and Applied Public Health Informatics for Leaders, which cater to different aspects of the field.
Yes. You can start learning health informatics on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in health informatics, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
To learn health informatics, start by identifying your specific interests within the field. Enroll in foundational courses that cover key concepts and tools. Engage with online communities and forums to connect with professionals and peers. Practical experience, such as internships or projects, can also enhance your understanding and application of health informatics principles.
Health informatics courses typically cover a range of topics, including data management, health information systems, electronic health records, data privacy, and analytics. You may also explore the socio-technical aspects of health informatics, which examine how technology interacts with healthcare practices. Courses often include case studies and real-world applications to help learners understand the practical implications of the concepts.
For training and upskilling employees in health informatics, consider courses like Nursing Informatics Leaders and Interprofessional Healthcare Informatics. These programs are designed to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to effectively utilize health informatics in their roles, fostering a more informed and efficient workforce.