AFRO-NETS> OHSU Medical Informatics Distance Learning Program

[William Hersh <informat@ohsu.edu>]

OHSU Medical Informatics Distance Learning Program
--------------------------------------------------

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) offers an eight-course Gradu-
ate Certificate program in Medical Informatics. (OHSU is on an academic 
quarter system, so courses are 10-11 weeks long.) The goal of this dis-
tance learning program is to educate individuals in the application of 
information technology (IT) to health care. Graduates of the program 
may take on additional IT responsibilities in their existing careers or 
embark on new careers as developers or managers of health care IT sys-
tems. In the program, individuals with a variety of backgrounds take 
courses in medical informatics, management, and outcomes research so 
that they gain expertise to assume positions that require a thorough 
understanding of both IT and the health care environment.

Over 100 individuals are currently enrolled in the program, with the 
first graduates anticipated in the spring of 2002. Other individuals 
have also taken courses in this program to augment academic programs at 
other institutions, such as those in health management and li-
brary/information science.

More details and the curriculum can be found on the program Web page 
at: 
http://www.ohsu.edu/bicc-informatics/distance/ 

A demo course can be found on the program server at: 
http://distance.ohsu.edu/

All courses use asynchronous, Web-based learning via the Blackboard 
CourseInfo system. Teaching modalities include: 

- Voice-over-Powerpoint lectures 
- Assigned readings of textbooks and/or articles 
- On-line exercises 
- Threaded discussion boards 
- Course projects, usually a paper

The fall quarter begins around September 24, 2001. The following 
courses will be offered in the fall quarter this year: 

MINF 510 - Introduction to Medical Informatics 
MINF 512 - Clinical Systems 
MINF 520 - Consumer Health Informatics 
MINF 571 - Bioinformatics

To take OHSU Medical Informatics Distance Learning classes, you must be 
enrolled in the Graduate Certificate Program. Applications are accepted 
throughout the academic year; however, completed applications must be 
received by the University at least four weeks prior to beginning 
coursework in the program. If you wish to take courses this fall, you 
must enroll in the program no later than September 7, 2001.

Prerequisites for applying include a bachelor's degree in any topic and 
the TOEFL test for those from countries whose native language is not 
English. You should then follow the directions on this Web page: 
http://www.ohsu.edu/bicc-informatics/distance/application.shtml

Once you are enrolled, you then need to register for individual 
classes. There are usually 2-4 classes offered per term. As noted 
above, you must be enrolled in the program 4 weeks prior to the term 
you wish to start taking classes. This is also about the same time 
deadline for registering in classes without having to pay a late regis-
tration fee. For instructions on registering for classes, following the 
directions on this Web page: 
http://www.ohsu.edu/bicc-informatics/distance/registration.shtml

For more information, please contact the program administrator by e-
mail:
mailto:informat@ohsu.edu
or phone at +1-503-494-4563.

William Hersh, MD 
Program Director
Graduate Certificate in Medical Informatics Program


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