Innovation of health data science curricula

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics Education
• Data Science in Healthcare
• Workforce Development

Background:

• Growing demand for health informatics professionals with data science and digital skills.
• Need for innovative educational approaches to meet workforce demands.
• University of Illinois at Chicago's Master's in Health Informatics (MSHI) program expansion.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce a Health Data Science (HDS) concentration within the MSHI program.
• Align curriculum with employer-sought skills in health informatics.
• Prepare students for complex roles in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Main Methods:

• Incorporated four levels of learning into the curriculum.
• Utilized leader interviews, advisory board input, and faculty expertise to identify employer needs.
• Employed a rapid infusion approach for designing active learning assessments simulating real-world scenarios.

Main Results:

• Course evaluations indicated high student satisfaction with course quality.
• Students found the program intellectually challenging and stimulating.
• Key beneficial aspects included live lectures, hands-on data manipulation, and simulated real-world situations.

Conclusions:

• The rapid infusion approach effectively develops active learning assignments for in-demand health informatics competencies.
• The curriculum fosters creative thinking and flexible problem-solving skills.
• Survey data validates the relevance and effectiveness of this active learning strategy for preparing students for successful careers in health informatics.