What Is an Associates Degree in Health Informatics Online?

Health Informatics Associates Degree Online programs combine technology and healthcare practices to try to improve patient experience. Courses educate students on how to create computer systems to better save and retrieve medical data necessary for the care of support of those in the system. To do this, classes balance basic medical courses (like anatomy) with computer programming. Understanding medical jargon and procedures could influence how you code a new, supporting system!

In short, health informatics courses look at how to make sure records get from one doctor to the next quickly and correctly! 

Earning a health information associate degree online could prepare you to stream-line healthcare systems for both patients and doctors. Courses in anatomy, physiology, and computer programming help students learn more about how to keep digital records. Students in a Health Informatics Associates Degree Online program are shown how to create new systems that combine medical know-how with technology to complement day-to-day medical health information operations.  

Health Informatics Associates Degree Online

Health Informatics Associates Degree Online - Basics

To mix technology with healthcare know-how, students may study the topics that we list here.

  • Healthcare Reimbursement
  • Coding and Classification Systems
  • Clinical Quality Improvements
  • Basic Pharmacology, Anatomy, & Disease Prevention
  • Electronic Health Record Keeping

Courses may vary by institution, so be sure to ask the school about any questions that you might have.

Find a Health Informatics Associates Degree Online

Online health informatics associate degrees have many different names. When you research, you may find some degree options like these.  

  • Associate of Science in Health Information Technology
  • Associate of Science in Health Information Management
  • Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Medical Records

These are only a few types of health information associates degrees you could earn. Also, keep your eye out for some of these key words that are often used to talk about these degrees.

  • Health Informatics
  • Health Information Management (HIM)
  • Health Information Technology (HIT)
  • Electronic Medical Record Keeping

We need to note that some schools may not offer a specific health informatics associates program. But, they may offer specialized coursework in that concentration. In these cases, look for associate of science (AS) programs that offer a “health information technology specialization.”

Did you know?

65% of American doctors send prescription electronically thanks to health informatics.

Admissions to a Health Informatics Associates Degree Online

Online health information associate degrees might be your first step into college courses.  These beginner informatics degrees may require high school transcripts or an equivalent to apply. It’s important to note that no specific GPA may be requested.  Additionally, schools may ask for SAT and ACT scores.

Graduation

Since online health informatics associates degrees typically cover informatics basics, they’re often shorter than other undergraduate degrees. Typically, students could earn a degree in 2 years. This translates to completing around 65 credit hours via a health information associates. 

What Is Health Informatics?

Health informatics uses technology to improve patient care. HI systems focus on transition-of-care documents. This means that they make sure records get from one department to the next.

Health Information Management, or HIM, on the other hand, concentrates on how to store, access, and retain patient data. That way, health records are complete and up-to-date for the life of the patient.

You may be asking yourself why the two degrees have different names if they teach the same thing. Take for example informatics and information management. At a surface level, both health informatics and health information management (HIM) seem similar. And, that’s true! Both associates degrees do cover almost identical coursework. Each degree focuses on how to streamline healthcare service via technology.

Where they differ is in who they try to help. 

In plain words?  Health informatics helps with immediate care and HIM assists with long-term.  So, while these degrees may cover similar material, you should be aware that their end users may be different!

Did you know?

78% of physicians use informatics services to track their patient notes.

Continuing Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Health Informatics

While many students may conclude their education with an online health information associate degree, others may choose to continue their academics. After earning your associates, you could go on to earn a bachelor’s in health informatics. Below are some possible degree options.

  • Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
  • Bachelor in Computer Information Systems – Health Information Systems

For more details, check out the bachelors in health informatics page.

Master’s in Health Informatics

After earning a bachelor’s degree, you could continue to enhance your degree to the graduate level. Many students choose to earn a masters in health informatics. Some typical degrees are listed below.

  • Master of Science in Information Technology – Healthcare Informatics
  • Master of Science in Health Administration – Informatics Specialization
  • Master of Science in Health Care Informatics

For more information about this degree, check out the masters in health informatics page.

Related Online Associates in Health Informatics Careers

A Health Informatics Associates Degree Online could directly prepare you to pursue a medical record or health information technician.i Many employers require candidates to hold an associates degree or postsecondary certificate for entry-level applications.ii This demonstrates your knowledge about key healthcare information concepts such as basic medical terms, health data standards, coding systems, and healthcare billing methods. These jobs are projected to  grow faster than the national average at 15% from 2014 to 2024. In 2015, medical record and health information technicians earned a median salary of $37,110 for the year.

Who Uses Health Informatics Systems?

The skills and knowledge students might learn from an online health information associate degree aren’t just for hospitals. On the contrary, health informatics is necessary throughout the healthcare field. Anyone who handles medical records could need IT support. The following fields might need easy access to medical information to function.

  • Outpatient Clinics
  • Health Centers
  • Medical Research Organizations
  • Consulting Firms
  • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Insurance Companies
  • Government Health Agencies

Did you know?

62% of US doctors receive lab tests results via electronic records systems.

Find an Online Health Information Associates Degree

Are you ready to take the first steps to make a patient experience? Then you’re in the perfect place to find a perfect online health information associate degree! To continue your search, browse the list of Health Informatics Associates Degree Online program offerings on the page. If you find a program you like, click its link for a brief description. While you’re there, click the “request info” button. This could give you helpful details about school admissions, curriculum, and program faculty.

When you’re ready to apply, head over to the school’s official site and fill out an application! Good luck finding a perfect Health Informatics Associates Degree Online.


[i] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-1 | [ii] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-4