Empowering the Digital Health Workforce in Latin America: Perspectives from a Health Informatics Master's Program in...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics Education
• Digital Health Workforce Development

Background:

• The Health Informatics Master's Program (EMIS-HIBA) at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires was established in 2017.
• There is a recognized need for skilled professionals in the evolving field of health informatics.
• The program aims to meet this demand by providing specialized education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the EMIS-HIBA program structure and offerings.
• To characterize the demographic profile of the student population.
• To evaluate the program's curriculum against international health informatics standards.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of program data and student demographics.
• Comparative evaluation of the curriculum with International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) recommendations.
• Assessment of program delivery format changes and their impact.

Main Results:

• Lower female enrollment indicates a gender disparity within the student body.
• The program primarily attracts students from Argentina, showing a strong national focus.
• Transition to an online format in 2023 improved accessibility but highlighted challenges in retention and graduation rates.

Conclusions:

• The curriculum aligns well with IMIA standards, emphasizing the need for balanced technical and clinical content.
• Strategic improvements are needed, including enhancing female participation and expanding international reach.
• Adaptable educational models are crucial for developing a competent digital health workforce.