Health information science at UVic: the student perspective

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Educational Program Evaluation
• Co-operative Education

Background:

• The University of Victoria's School of Health Information Science (HIS) has been a leader in Canadian health informatics since 1982.
• The HIS co-operative education program has matured, with a recent focus on establishing a research base and graduate school.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Health Information Science (HIS) curriculum and co-op work experience from the student perspective.
• To document student perceptions of training effectiveness and career preparation.
• To identify student views on their professional role and identity within health informatics.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 85 individuals, including 50 upper-level HIS students.
• Tracking and querying of 35 HIS graduates regarding employment, job satisfaction, goals, and professional status.
• Specific queries to students on the retrospective value and shortcomings of the HIS co-op program.

Main Results:

• Students perceive value in the HIS co-op program but also note shortcomings.
• Graduate data indicates perceptions of present employment, job satisfaction, future goals, and professional status.
• Student feedback highlights the ascribed role of 'change agent' and concerns about a lack of professional identity.

Conclusions:

• Student perspectives offer valuable insights into the HIS curriculum and co-op program.
• Findings suggest implications for the future structure of the Health Information Science curriculum.
• The study underscores the need to address professional identity concerns within the HIS educational model.