By Connor Ledbetter:
The first week in class was an interesting one and an effective way, in my opinion, to get the conversation started around, “what is health informatics.” The topic; “CIO stands for my career is over”, led my group, Team Jefferson, and I to a great discussion. We talked about the role of a CIO and what kind of qualities and qualifications a person in that position should possess. However, the conversation also led us to a number of other questions that we, at the time, did not have an answer to. Additionally, we explored some of the supporting roles in health informatics as well as the needs of healthcare organizations for effective informatics. These questions allowed us the opportunity to do some research in the past week and bring answers to many of the questions, affording us a more complete picture of the role of a CIO in a health delivery organization’s goal of achieving safe quality care through informatics.
The first week in class was an interesting one and an effective way, in my opinion, to get the conversation started around, “what is health informatics.” The topic; “CIO stands for my career is over”, led my group, Team Jefferson, and I to a great discussion. We talked about the role of a CIO and what kind of qualities and qualifications a person in that position should possess. However, the conversation also led us to a number of other questions that we, at the time, did not have an answer to. Additionally, we explored some of the supporting roles in health informatics as well as the needs of healthcare organizations for effective informatics. These questions allowed us the opportunity to do some research in the past week and bring answers to many of the questions, affording us a more complete picture of the role of a CIO in a health delivery organization’s goal of achieving safe quality care through informatics.
While the picture is now clearer, the answers that we uncovered led me, personally, to more questions as to how I would apply this information to my future career. Many of the answers that we came to were based on national research and collective thought based on many organizations experiences with a CIO. Yet, I think it is unanimously agreed upon that no two hospitals or healthcare delivery organizations are exactly alike and as such, I can’t help but wonder how I would change or cater the information that we gathered with the intent of tailoring it to my specific needs. Trying to place myself in the role of an administrator who is looking to hire a CIO I had to wonder how applicable national statistics or averages would be to my situation. I would be forced to ask additional question and assess how I may adjust the information gathered to fit my personal market. For instance, I may understand the role of a CIO, CNIO, CMIO, or CTO as nationally defined, however I would have to ask myself the additional question of what are the needs of my organization and which one of these titles and associated responsibilities would best alleviate my present issues.
It has been said that the purpose of this class is not to make us experts in the field of Health Informatics, but rather to educate us enough to understand the field and know what kind of questions to ask when working with health informatics in the future. My group and I uncovered some broad, industry wide questions surrounding health informatics, leaders of informatics within organizations, as well as qualifications that those leaders may need. We then brought to light answers addressing those questions. Yet, all of this understanding led me to further questions. I realized that to do research and gain understanding in the future is only advantageous if I am able to effectively apply it to my organization. I have to apply the knowledge gained from the 30,000 foot questions to ask and answer questions specific to my organization or issue.
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