Course Description
The course introduces the student to the health care delivery system, organization and function of health care facilities and services, the Canadian legal system, applicable health legislation, and the writing of policies and procedures. Students will be able to identify the major resources for locating information on laws, standards, and regulations that govern the practice of health information management. Emphasis will be placed on the role of health information management in terms of access to and disclosure of health information.
Course Content
- Orientation to the Health Care Delivery Systems (HCDS)
- terminology (health, population health, health care delivery, health care system…)
- structure of the Canadian HCDS nationally, provincially/ territorially, regionally and locally
- evolution
- key legislation
- reports (Lalonde, Romanow…)
- WHO
- Health Canada, Canada Health Infoway, PHAC, CIHR, etc.
- BC Ministry of Health, MSPBC
- roles and influences of government
- determinants of health
- patient care level classification in BC (personal to acute)
- trends, changes and issues (overview)
- changes in how health care is being delivered
- regionalization
- consumer expectations of the HCDS
- Structure of Health Care Facilities
- classification of health care facilities (service, operation, ownership)
- organizational structure of a health care facility
- organizational chart
- hospital bylaws
- strategic planning, vision and mission statements/philosophy/statement of purpose
- goals and objectives
- discussion of the role of health information management within the above organizational
- structure
- definition, organization, responsibilities, and interaction with health information management of the:
- governing body
- administration
- medical staff (membership levels, bylaws)
- clinical committees
- other health care providers (nursing, technologists, therapists)
- support services and departments
- overview of leadership theories
- team building concepts
- Role Shadowing
- Canadian Legal System
- types of law
- Canadian court system
- types of legal documents
- use of health information as evidence in a Court of Law
- Health Legislation
- overview of legal issues affecting health information management
- legal terminology
- relevant legislation
- Coroners Act
- Evidence Act
- Health Act & Health Act Regulations
- Hospital Act & Hospital Act Regulations
- Limitations Act
- Mental Health Act
- Other
- Consent Documentation
- legal requirements
- recording consent
- informed consent
- living wills
- advanced directives
- Access to and Disclosure of Health Information
- health information ownership
- confidentiality/privacy/security defined
- advocacy
- educate health care providers, staff and the general public
- related legislation:
- Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
- PIPEDA / PIPA
- CHIMA Code of Practice and Guidelines, position statements and recommendations
- patient access
- authorizations for disclosure of patient information
- customer service: responding to requests
- criteria for extent of disclosure
- methods of disclosure in response to a variety of circumstances
- validation strategies
- system for prioritizing, logging, and tracking
- Policies, Procedures and Standards
- purpose
- styles
- preparation and writing for health information management department
- applications
Learning Activities
- Lecture/Practice
- Group discussion
- Application exercises
- Role Shadowing
- Role Playing
- Independent study of assigned topics
Means of Assessment
Typical evaluations would include:
- Final Exam
- Midterm Exam
- Assignments (individual and team)
Course evaluation is based on course learning outcomes and is consistent with ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Curriculum Development and Approval Policy.
A detailed evaluation schedule is presented to the students at the beginning of the course. Outline of evaluation may be subject to change.
This is a graded course.
Learning Outcomes
In this course participants will have opportunity to:
- describe the structure of Canada’s health care system
- identify key organizations from an international to local levels who contribute to the delivery of care in Canada
- develop an understanding of the role of the health information management professional within the context of the healthcare delivery system locally, provincially, territorially and nationally
- identify trends in health care and the potential impact on the health care delivery system; on the roles of the health care providers and on health information management
- describe the structure of health care facilities
- apply knowledge of the Canadian legal system to the health care system and to health information management
- apply health law concepts, legislation, practices, standards, policies, and guidelines to the appropriate access, security and disclosure of health information
- apply the legal requirements for documentation of informed consent
- apply analytical thinking to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making in relation to the process of access, security, and disclosure of health information
- create and document policies, procedures and standards
- expand knowledge of the scope of professional practice within the field of health information management including advocacy
- continue to develop an appreciation for the importance of confidentiality, security and integrity of health care data and information
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
A list of mandatory and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.