Is Health Informatics and Information Management a Good Degree for You?

Health informatics and information management is widely regarded as a valuable and promising field of study. However, some industries and professionals hold varying opinions. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of pursuing a degree in health informatics, and help you make an informed decision based on your interests and career goals.

Strong Job Outlook

Reason #1: Strong Job Outlook

The demand for health informatics professionals is continually growing due to the increasing digitization of healthcare records and the demand for data analysis to improve patient care. According to various labor statistics, jobs in health informatics are projected to grow significantly over the next decade, often outpacing other fields.

Diverse Career Opportunities

Reason #2: Diverse Career Opportunities

Graduates with a degree in health informatics can pursue a wide range of roles, including health information managers, clinical data analysts, health IT consultants, and more. Opportunities abound in hospitals, healthcare organizations, insurance companies, and government agencies.

Impactful Work

Reason #3: Impactful Work

Professionals in this field play a crucial role in improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes through effective data management and analysis. With a growing emphasis on using data to drive decision-making in healthcare, this work can be both meaningful and impactful.

Interdisciplinary Skills

Reason #4: Interdisciplinary Skills

The degree combines elements of healthcare information technology and data analytics, offering a versatile skill set that is valuable in many sectors. Skills learned in this field are transferable, allowing for career mobility.

Competitive Salaries

Reason #5: Competitive Salaries

Positions in health informatics often come with competitive salaries, reflecting the specialized knowledge required in this area. This can be particularly advantageous, especially early in one's career.

Real-World Perspectives

However, personal experiences can offer valuable insights into the realities of the field. As someone with over 13 years of experience in health informatics, I can attest that advanced degrees are not always necessary to excel in this field. Many professionals enter the industry with practical experience and do not require a formal degree to advance.

For example, I pursued a Masters in Health Administration with a concentration in Health Informatics in 2011. By 2016, I had already been working in health informatics for over a decade. Over that time, I did not encounter many professionals with a degree in health informatics in my current job or in the last four companies I worked for. In fact, a few people I know who did obtain this degree have difficulty finding work in the field.

Considering Alternatives

Alternative Options

Based on these real-world experiences, it's worth considering alternative fields that offer similar benefits without the same limitations. For example, studying something related to healthcare information technology, data analysis, or healthcare administration could provide valuable skills without being as limiting as a degree in health informatics.

Conclusion

If you have an interest in healthcare and technology, pursuing a degree in health informatics and information management is still a solid choice. It offers good employability prospects and allows you to make a positive impact on the healthcare system. However, always consider your personal interests, career goals, and experiences when making your decision. The field of health informatics may be evolving, and your unique background can often be as valuable as a formal degree.