Course Summary
Medical and Health Information Science primarily encompasses the field of health informatics which is typically defined "as the science of evaluating, implementing and utilizing technology to manage all information related to the patient care delivery process at all levels: clinical, financial, technological and enterprise. It is a multidisciplinary field, drawing from health information and computer science, psychology, sociology and engineering.
With the rise in the use of technology, there is an ever increasing in the healthcare sector to adopt Information and Communication Technology (ICT) n the delivery of their services (such as information systems in personalized medicine, eHealth, telemedical and mHealth (mobile health) systems, etc.) in order to improve services to patients and address structural challenges in the health service. With the current drive for electronic records and information exchange networks, health informatics and information management are the most relevant fields in healthcare efficiency today.
The role of medical and health information science in bridging the gaps between integrating IT systems across the healthcare sector and providing the necessary skills to implement, manage, audit and innovate within healthcare delivery systems has been highlighted as a pivotal building block in the implementation of Slaintecare.
The Certificate in Practices in Health Informatics will give participants the essential skills to attain employment or provide rationale for career progression for those working in the sector and be responsible for maintaining components of health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare delivery system. It will provide a Level 6 Certification of Science qualification in Practices in Health Informatics affording an introductory, applied level grounding in health informatics.
The modules across the 1 year will be delivered innovatively through various modes of online learning techniques. Course materials will be linked to real-world problems in the area of Healthcare delivery and students will learn how to manage and provide evidence-based solutions.
Graduates from this programme will have a strong grounding in all areas of healthcare systems delivery, management, audit and evaluation, governance and regulatory principles. They will also have the data analysis skills necessary to critically appraise areas of process inefficiency and develop alternative frameworks for enhancing outcomes. These skills will be needed globally as the current COVID-19 pandemic will necessitate large-scale systems audit and framework development to combat future potential threats to Public Health.
Key Course Information
Course information:
Study hours: Whether you are studying part-time online, blended or full-time online, it is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals. For part-time online or blended learning, it is recommended that you should try to allow for 7 hours per week for a 5 credit module.
Live Lectures: Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle.
Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold a National Framework of Qualifications Level 5 or equivalent and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligo’s RPL process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie
Career Opportunities
The design of this programme is geared towards developing and professional skills and technical qualities to meet the current and future needs of the healthcare sector and its multi-faceted health information system.
Graduates from this programme will be able to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term healthcare facilities, primary care facilities, home health agencies, insurance companies, government agencies (i.e. HSE. TULSA, HIQA, NCPE), information technology vendors, and pharmaceutical, medical devices and consultancy companies.
Did you know?
A recent report, 2020 Global Health Care Outlook from Deloitte, states: Rising health care costs. Changing patient demographics. Evolving consumer expectations. New market entrants. Complex health and technology ecosystems. Health care stakeholders need to invest in value-based care, innovative care delivery models, advanced digital technologies, data interoperability, and alternative employment models to prepare for these uncertainties and build a smart health ecosystem.
Programme Fees
Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fee: €2,500
To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage.
If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.
For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.
If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage.
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Systems | 05 |
| Applied Health Statistics | 05 |
| Fundamentals of Health Economics | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Health Informatics | 05 |
| Introduction to eHealth | 10 |