Introduction to Computer Applications in Healthcare
Module Description
Computing technology is evident and used all around in everyday life. It helps to solve problems in a great range of applications.
Nearly every area of health care uses computer technologies to maintain patient records to share information with nurses, doctors, and technicians and to monitor patient vital signs amongst many other applications.
The aim of this module is to equip students with the knowledge of principles and concepts in the use of software applications in solving simple but meaningful real-world problems.
This module also outlines the aspects referring to all activities needed to secure information and systems that support it to facilitate its ethical use within a health care setting.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must be:
- Be second level nurses in possession of a minimum Level 4 Certificate in Nursing (or comparable as per MQRIC).
OR
- Possess a qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent preferably in science) or if ‘A’ level is not in science subject then a a pass in Biology, Chemistry or Physics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent) is required.
Preference will be given to prospective applicants who have a minimum of 1-year work experience in healthcare sector.
Target Audience
- 2nd level nurses who hold an MQF Level 4 certificate in Nursing.
- Candidates who are employed within the healthcare sector and possess an MQF Level 4 Diploma qualification (or equivalent) in healthcare/health science or other relevant and related sectors, examples include but are not limited to: Carers, Medical Assistants, Home Health Aides, Orderlies, Administrators, etc.
- Candidates seeking a career in the Health Care sector.
- This Level 5 Diploma provides an opportunity to candidates to progress in their studies and create a study route for further studies in Higher and Further Education while broadening the spectrum of advancement in own career path.
Career Paths
- The second level nurses in possession of a minimum Level 4 Certificate in Nursing (or comparable as per MQRIC) who successfully complete up to a minimum of the Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences at 60 ECTS together with a Work Placement of 480 hours carried out at health settings are eligible to apply for first level nurses.
- The main objective of Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences at 60 ECTS together with a Work Placement of 480 hours carried out at health settings is to convert second level nurses to first level nurses.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules
Module Intake Dates
March/ April 2025
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Compare and contrast general functions, purposes and benefits of health computer applications;
- Explain health computer applications and systems in terms of their ability to support the requirements of a health care enterprise;
- Explain the impact of electronic health records on reporting outcomes;
- Propose the hardware, software, operating system and networking considerations necessary for effective data storage and use in health care organizations.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following indicative content:
- Introduction to Computer Applications in Healthcare
- Computer Data in Healthcare
- Fundamentals of Information Systems
- Healthcare Information Systems
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Information Security
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Describe potential strategies to minimize major barriers to the adoption of electronic health records
- Compare and contrast the tools and techniques for collecting, storing, securing, retrieving, and reporting health care data and recommend tools relevant to your work settings;
- Explain the principles of health care data exchange and standards
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.