Curtin University of Technology
Skip to content
School of Public Health

Health Information Management

Employment choices in this field are expanding, and the rapidly changing health care environment is providing new opportunities for this profession largely due to the critical importance of accurate, precise and timely patient information.

What is Health Information Management?

Health Information Management is a challenging profession involving the application of clinical knowledge, information technology, data base management and administration. Health records are a base for health care planning and management decisions, legal and administrative purposes, research, identifying trends for the treatment of disease and for evaluating the standards and quality of patient care.

What does a Health Information Manager do?

The Health Information Manager is a specialist within the health care team who is responsible for the safekeeping of patient information and ensures that information is properly documented, stored and available.

About our Health Information Management Program

The management of information is critical to ensuring quality care throughout the health system. Health records provide a database for many purposes including health care planning and management, legal and administrative reference, research, trend analysis for the treatment of disease, and for evaluating the standards and quality of patient care. All this must be undertaken with due regard to ethical and legal considerations which emphasise the personal and sensitive nature of the information being collected and processed.

This program, the only one of its kind in Western Australia, combines content from the distinct disciplines of medical science, management, and information technology to ensure you obtain the skills needed to lead the field of health information management. In addition, our staff have strong links with the local health and information professions which will provide you with the opportunity for extensive hands-on experience. Core units include human biology, medical terminology, disease classification systems, epidemiology and biostatistics, management theory, computing and health information systems.

Study also includes database management, electronic health information systems and health informatics, health economics, casemix and clinical costing, quality improvement principles, research methodology, human resource management and health services management.

General Information

Professional Placements

Coursework is complemented by fieldwork undertaken in a variety of health facilities such as community health centres and hospitals. Some students chose to travel interstate or overseas for broader fieldwork experience.

Further Study

Upon completion of a postgraduate diploma there are a number of study options that students can undertake. Students pursuing studies by higher degree may apply for scholarships. Information about Australian and International student scholarships, and closing dates, can be found on the Curtin Scholarship website.

Courses offered

Undergraduate Courses

Master & Doctoral Programs

Career Opportunities

Due to a current scarcity of well-qualified health information professionals the employment rate of graduates is excellent, with many having positions on graduation. Typical careers include those of research assistants, primary care practice managers and information systems design. Graduates are employed in public and private hospitals, government departments and in a variety of health care settings such as health information managers, in database or project management or in the areas of casemix and quality improvement. Demand for health information professionals remains strong. Health Information Management is a very transportable degree with excellent job opportunities in Australia and in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Africa.

Information & Resources

Image of record files