CPE7602

Developing health information systems

P McKenzie

6 points - 4 hours per week - All semesters - Peninsula - Flexible mode - Prerequisites: Nil

Objectives At the completion of this subject, successful students should be able to demonstrate an awareness of the nature and role of technology, and the functions of hardware and software which can be used to support health information management; demonstrate an understanding of the major stages of developing a computerised information system; demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to model user requirements using straightforward entity relationship models, activity hierarchy diagrams and action diagrams; have the knowledge and skills necessary to transform entity relationship diagrams into table structures in a relational database, and to use the application generation facilities of a relational database system to construct a graphical user interface for a straightforward application; have an appreciation of quality assurance through documentation, user involvement and the review process; have an understanding of the steps that are necessary to effectively integrate new and existing systems.

Synopsis The subject includes an introduction to fundamental hardware and software concepts, operating systems and GUI environments. A range of Windows application software such as spreadsheet and database software is considered. The remainder of the course introduces the concept of the system development lifecycle, and data and process modelling techniques. The various phases of the system development life cycle are considered in the context of a case study, using relational database software. Consideration is given to implementation of elementary information processes, definition of windows, forms, queries and reports. Appropriate system documentation techniques and quality assurance techniques are considered along with the development of test plans.

Assessment Two Assignments (50% each) 100%

Recommended texts

Capron H Computer tools for an information age 4th edn, Benjamin-Cummings, 1995
Van Bemmel J H and Musen M Handbook of medical informatics Springer Verlag, 1997
Whitten J L and Bentley L D Systems analysis and design methods 4th edn, Irwin, 1998

References

Coiera E Guide to medical informatics, the Internet and telemedicine Chapman and Hall, 1997
Hovenga E, Kidd E and Cesnik B Health informatics: An overview Churchill Livingstone, 1996
Jennings R Using Access 2 for Windows Que Corporation, 1994
Shelley G and Cashman T Using computers (Word 6 - Excel - Access 2) Boyd and Fraser, 1995

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