Introduction
Sheree Lloyd; Sallyanne Wissmann; and Joel Scanlan
“Health information permeates healthcare delivery from point-of-care, across the continuum of care and throughout the healthcare system’s policy, population health, research, planning and funding arenas. Health information managers (HIMs) expertly manage that information.” (Robinson et al., 2023)
The effective management of health information is a key dependency for the provision of appropriate and safe healthcare and the management of a successful and efficient healthcare system. Information underpins decision making at all levels. A person’s health information is created pre-birth and throughout a person’s lifetime, providing the key indicators of a person’s health and wellbeing. Created, accessed and used in multiple settings, by health and administrative personnel, the definition, integrity, timeliness, availability, accessibility, confidentiality, security, and appropriate use of a person’s health information is critical to enable optimal population health and wellbeing outcomes.
In many parts of the world, today’s health ecosystem is complex and data rich. Many local, national and international initiatives are occurring to connect and share health information between health professionals and organisations as people are increasingly mobile and require health care advice, treatment and management from multiple providers. An aging population means that citizens in many countries are living longer and can have multiple chronic health condition where critical information is key to self-management and management by healthcare providers and clinicians.
Appropriate sharing of information based on legislative and ethical requirements, together with the desire for continuous improvement in health system efficiency, funding appropriateness, and health and wellbeing outcomes, necessitates the sharing of health information with governments, funders and researchers. These organisations use health information for planning, funding and to determine the performance of a healthcare system.
The increasing application of AI to augment healthcare workflows and diagnostic and treatment capabilities creates new challenges for the creation and use of health information. Simultaneously, the very real threat of health information being stolen by cybercriminals for extortion purposes and to expose the sensitive and confidential health information of individuals has the potential for adverse societal and individual impacts. The amount of health information generated is vast, as are the insights and secondary uses associated with the goals of appropriate, effective and safe healthcare and the management of effective and efficient healthcare systems.
Health Information Management (HIM) professionals are equipped with the skills, knowledge and expertise to manage and govern health information in all settings and for all purposes. HIM professionals balance the interests of patients, organisation and government policy and priorities, legislation, and research ethics to oversee the definition, integrity, timeliness, availability, accessibility, confidentiality, security, and appropriate use of health information.
Not constrained to healthcare organisations, the skills of HIM professionals are valuable to enhancing the management of and insights derived from health information for other organisations such as government agencies, clinical repositories, cancer and disease registries, research, software vendors and consultancy services. Their skills are transferable and valuable to enhance information management and governance in the disability, community and aged care sectors.
HIM professionals work in a variety of roles and require knowledge and skills relevant to healthcare systems, medical science, classification, health information technology, privacy and confidentiality, funding, data and information governance, and the management of people, resources and technology.
This textbook has been written to provide a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of health information management, preparing students and professionals to navigate the complex world of healthcare data, documentation and systems. Content in each chapter is shaped by the knowledge and experiences of a diverse group of health information, technology and clinical professionals whose work bridges the gap between theory and practice in health information management, digital health, and healthcare systems. Whilst some chapters are focused on the Australian context, principles and approaches can be applied in other contexts, informed by local policy, procedure and local requirements.
The text is organised into parts and chapters. Throughout the text, the authors have included opportunities for reflection, embedded activities, and case studies to maintain a practical focus while providing comprehensive discussions of both theoretical principles and real-world applications for health information management in today’s healthcare settings.
Biographies for the contributors to the text demonstrate the depth and breadth of health information and informatics expertise of the authors.
Part 1. Healthcare and the Global Context of Health Information Management
This section explores the HIM profession and roles and helps readers understand both the historical context and future trajectory of the profession, while examining how information management directly impacts patient safety and aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals.
These chapters were authored by nationally and internationally recognised health information academics and practitioners. Authors have made significant contributions to advancing health information management education, health information professional workforce development, and professional practice standards globally. Researchers have advanced the field through their exploration of health information and informatics competencies, the usability of electronic medical records and improving healthcare outcomes through better information management practices.
Chapters included
Part 2. Leadership in Health Information Management
This section examines strategic management principles and how to lead effective health information services. It addresses the development of critical skills for engaging stakeholders and building lasting partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. It explores the specific span of control of the health information system leader and essential functions of planning, leading, organising and controlling, to deliver health information services, sustain a health information workforce, deliver high quality data, and protect patient confidentiality and privacy.
Authors in this part have contributed to health information management in Australia and advanced the professional identity of health information managers. They have conducted research in health informatics and electronic medical records in Australia, with contributions to understanding clinical information systems implementation and healthcare data management. Academic contributors are accomplished teachers in digital health, ICT areas including project management, systems strategy, and digital health, with a focus on digital literacy, leadership, and professional practice in complex environments.
Chapters included
Part 3. Data and Information Management in Health
In this section, chapters explain how data serves as a foundation for decision-making in the healthcare system. It examines various types of healthcare data and information beyond traditional health records, followed by an in-depth look at healthcare classifications and terminologies. Special attention is given to First Peoples’ health data, acknowledging the unique considerations and cultural sensitivity required in managing this information.
Authors and experts in classification and coding and with international profiles in health information management have authored these chapters in this part. Contributors are also prominent in the domains of health information, analytics and Indigenous data and continue to contribute to key health information bodies at a national and international level. With national and international contributions their experiences in education and the profession of information have contributed to the rich content of the chapters.
Chapters included
- First Peoples’ Health Data (writing in progress)
Part 4. Health Informatics and Digital Health
As healthcare continues its digital transformation, this part explores the impact of health informatics and digital technologies on healthcare delivery and the role of the health information management professional. This part of the text provides a particular focus on electronic medical and health records and their increasing central role as the technological foundation of modern health.
Authors with profiles in national and international spheres have made significant contributions to digital health through research on artificial intelligence in healthcare, health informatics, clinical decision support systems and predictive analytics. Collectively authors have advanced the field of health information management and digital health through their work on electronic health records implementation, digital health literacy, healthcare data governance, digital health competencies, and the development of frameworks for effective health information exchange across healthcare systems.
Chapters included
Part 5. Health Information Privacy and Security
Health data is our most personal data, and digitisation has presented society with a new frontier for risk – not primarily to our personal health, but to privacy. This part addresses cybersecurity in health and cyber risk management, ensuring readers understand both the threats facing the health and care sector and are well placed to participate in developing strategies to protect against them. Authors are well known nationally and internationally and are experienced researchers, teachers and practitioners in cyber, ICT, privacy and health information management.
Chapters included
Part 6. The Future of Health Information Management
The future of health information management presents opportunities and risks. As technology changes how we deliver care, The Future of Health Information Management explores the tools and the health information management implications relevant to their use in the delivery of healthcare services.
Healthcare needs of both individuals and the population will continue to evolve with changes in demographics, workforce and new technologies. Many healthcare organisations are integrating technology to support new models of care, improve efficiency and integrate consumer needs. The The Future of Health Information Management chapter explores the technologies and how the profession is responding and the need to adapt for the future. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have the potential to revolutionise data analytics and clinical decision support. The chapter addresses the evolution of health records into more sophisticated, interoperable and usable platforms that can benefit both consumers, clinicians, help to understand health system performance and inform population health needs.
Each chapter in this text has been peer reviewed by subject matter experts who evaluated for relevance and clarity. Suggestions to strengthen chapters were actioned by authors to incorporate recommended improvements. The Glossary included in the textbook provides definitions for important terms and specialised vocabulary used throughout the chapters. This helpful reference tool enables readers and students to look up unfamiliar words and concepts, ensuring comprehension of the subject matter.
We trust this textbook serves as a learning tool for those currently working in health information management, those aspiring to work in the field, those seeking to update their knowledge on contemporary practice, and those seeking to understand the field. Together with our contributing authors, we have strived to create a useful resource that balances theoretical foundations with practical applications, ensuring you are well-equipped for both academic and real-world challenges. It represents a point in time while looking to the future, enforcing that the principles of health information management are timeless while needing to be continually adapted to the changing health environment. As you embark on reading the text, each chapter represents an opportunity to grow, learn, and make meaningful contributions to the advancement of knowledge in our discipline.
References
Robinson, K., Barraclough, S., Cummings, E., & Iedema, R. (2023). The historiography of a profession: The societal and political drivers of the health information management profession in Australia. Health Information Management Journal, 52(2), 64-71. https://doi.org/10.1177/18333583211070336
