Masters in Health Informatics (MHI)

Introduction
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) jointly with the College of Computing and Information Sciences -Makerere (CoCIS) most especially the School of Computing and Informatics Technology (CIT) are offering a Masters degree in Health Informatics (MHI) as a fulltime program. The program is designed for individuals who desire to be trained to identify constraints in health information flow and design innovative automated systems to solve them in the shortest time possible to aide timely decision making.
The Program Mission and Goal
Mission: To produce practical, gender sensitive health Informaticians who are able to evaluate health systems, and develop innovations to improve information management and utilization in health.

Goal: To produce gender sensitive graduates with skills and competences in application of information and computer science to improve health practice.

Core Competences for the graduate of MHI Program should include:
  • Demonstrate knowledge in basic principles of informatics as applied to different domains of health.
  • Analyse and evaluate health information systems and processes to improve health care.
  • Develop and support solutions to address health issues using technology.
  • Design and undertake gender sensitive research in health informatics and disseminate findings.
  • Analyse, use, interpret and disseminate data/information to improve decision making.
  • Integrate gender, ethical, legal, economic, health policy, and behavioral factors into the application and promotion of health informatics
  • Recognize the language, terminology, ontology, acronyms, coding, and classification systems of healthcare and health informatics.
Who can apply?
The program is open to both Ugandans and non-Ugandans, whether living within Uganda or outside the borders of Uganda, who fulfill the minimum admission requirements and should preferably be graduates from Universities recognized by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Admission requirements
  • Demonstrate knowledge in basic principles of informatics as applied to different domains of health.
  • Analyse and evaluate health information systems and processes to improve health care.
  • Develop and support solutions to address health issues using technology.
  • Design and undertake gender sensitive research in health informatics and disseminate findings.
  • Analyse, use, interpret and disseminate data/information to improve decision making.
  • Integrate gender, ethical, legal, economic, health policy, and behavioral factors into the application and promotion of health informatics
  • Recognize the language, terminology, ontology, acronyms, coding, and classification systems of healthcare and health informatics.
MHI programme duration

The MHI training takes two academic years, consisting of four semesters and one-recess term.  Each semester is 17 weeks, of which 15 weeks are used for teaching and two weeks for examinations.  There is a recess term taking 10 weeks after the first year. 

The students start with the cross over courses at the beginning of the first semester. These are intended to bring the students of different backgrounds, at par. Those with an IT background study health care courses and those with a healthcare background take the basic IT courses. These are followed by core courses. In second year, students select from 2 tracks –Public health informatics and general Health Informatics.

The courses offered are:

Core courses

Year I Semester I

  • Introduction to Health Care & Health Systems
  • Introduction to Information Technology
  • Foundations of Health Informatics
  • Information Systems Development
  • Principles of Public Health
  • Applied Epidemiology I
  • Research Methods in Health Informatics

Year I Semester II

  • Applied Biostatistics I
  • Health Information Systems
  • Health Informatics Standards and Terminology
  • Enterprise Architecture for Health Info. Systems
  • Gender, Law, Ethics, Equity, Policy and Governance in relation to informatics
  • Scientific Writing & Communication Skills

Year I Recess Term

  • Practicum and Field Report

Year II Semester I

  • Track Specific Courses
  • Track 1 - Health Informatics Track (General)
  • Clinical Informatics
  • Security in Health Information Systems
  • Advanced Programming
  • Health Analytics
  • Clinical Decision Support Systems and Workflows in Health
  • Seminar Series I
  • Track 2 - Public health informatics track
  • Applied Biostatistics II
  • Applied Epidemiology II
  • Health systems Management and health Informatics
  • Occupational health and Informatics
  • Environmental Health and Informatics
  • Seminar Series I

Year II Semester II

  • Dissertation
  • Seminar Series II
Elective Courses
In addition to the track specific courses, trainees take any course of their choice from courses offered in any track
Mode of Delivery

A multifaceted approach, employing mainly those methods that encourage a student-centered approach, active learning and acquisition of practical competencies. Integration of knowledge with practical skills and the transfer of concepts from one situation to the other is emphasized.  Professional identities, Attitudes and Teamwork skills are developed by working as members of multi-professional teams with graded responsibilities. Competencies are developed through practical exposure and discussions (experiential learning), reflecting on their own experiences and role modeling.

Other teaching and learning methods include; Didactic lectures; tutorials and small group discussions; Seminars and Large group presentations; practical sessions and computer/skills laboratories; Computer Assisted Learning & Practicum Attachment.

Staffing
The programme is run on a multidisciplinary basis using specialists from within the School of Public Health (SPH) and School of Computing and Informatics Technology (SCIT) and outside Makerere University. For example, under Norwegian NORHED health informatics collaboration the two Schools at Makerere University will work with Moi University in Kenya and University of Bergen to share staff who teach different courses. SPH plans to continue utilizing existing expertise in the entire College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) and Ministry of Health (MoH).
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are: Ug. Shs. 5m/= per year for Ugandans, or US $5000 per year for foreign students. Makerere University reserves the right to revise tuition fee rates whenever found necessary. In addition to the tuition fees, students must also meet all other expenses related to: registration fees to the university, examination fees, library and administration, travel and accommodation, a personal computer, stationery, books, field studies, and research costs for the dissertation.
How to apply
Application forms and guidelines can be obtained from the Makerere University School of Graduate Studies, or downloaded from their website.
Contacts

For more detailed information about our MHI Program, please visit our website at: https://sph.mak.ac.ug/academics/masters-health-informatics-mhi

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