Informatics and Information Management
NURS 5401
2 Credit Hours
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Course Description |
This course provides students with an overview of informatics and the theoretical foundation for information management within the health care setting. The impact of automated data management through advances in information technology, health care information systems, and tele-health are explored.
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Course Objectives |
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Prerequisites and Co-requisites |
Admission to the RODP-MSN program or permission of
department chair.
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Course Topics |
I. Healthcare Informatics in practice
A. Roles
B. Scope of practice
C. Organizations
D. Body of Research
E. Credentialing
II. Healthcare Informatics Theories & Concepts
A. Data, Information, & Knowledge
B. Additional Related Theories & Change Leadership
III. Information Management Legislation, Policy, and Ethics
A. Safe & Ethical Computing
B. Regulatory & Accreditation Issues
C. Introduction to Nursing & Health Care Data Sets and Languages
IV. Impact of Informatics on Health Care Delivery
A. Data Management
B. Re-engineering health care delivery processes
C. Quality initiatives
D. Training initiatives
E. Research initiatives
V. Introduction to Practice Applications
A. Emerging technologies
B. Administrative
C. Clinical
D. Communication
E. Mobility applications including tele-health
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Textbook |
Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course: http://rodp.bkstr.com
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Supplemental Material |
Choose an intermediate level Microsoft Office (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, & Access) resource that is aimed at your learning style.
I recommend going to a bookstore and spending some time reading several
of these references to determine if the mix between text and pictures meet your
needs. Depending upon your level of experience, you may choose to purchase
individual resources if you already function at the intermediate level in
several of these applications. You will use this throughout the curriculum.
Assigned
periodicals, documents, position statements, and Internet online articles.
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Hardware Requirements |
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
A video-camera is also required for this course.
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Software Requirements |
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Additional software requirements for this course include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel PowerPoint), and Acrobat Reader. Since this is the introductory course for the nursing informatics program of study, additional software will be required in subsequent coursework. Microsoft Access & FrontPage will be a requirement later in the program and may be purchased as a bundle with the other Microsoft Products or separately. Academic pricing is available.
Adobe Reader is available for download at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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Instructor Information |
Please see the separate page inside the course to find
instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours
and other communication information.
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Testing Procedures |
All course requirements are submitted online.
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Grading Procedure |
During the course
students will explore informatics theory and practices as a foundation through
on-line lectures, guided readings, and a variety of learning activities. Some
learning activities contribute to the final course grade, while others are
designed to assist the student with content mastery. Students will have
opportunities for discussion of content with students and faculty via discussion
forums.
Assignments and
Projects - All course assignments are submitted online. All Due Dates are noted
on the calendar!
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Grading Scale |
A = 93-100
B = 85-92
C = 77-84
D = 70-76
F
= <70
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Class Participation |
All students are expected to actively participate in online class discussions. Each discussion question posted will be assigned a date by which the student must respond. If a student is unable to fulfill this requirement for any reason, he/she should notify the instructor prior to the class and make alternative arrangements. The aim is to encourage interaction among students and faculty, not simply to present information. Students are required to respond to all discussion questions. Student responses to discussion questions must be substantive, that is, thoughtful and analytical. Because the WebCT system has its own way of formatting material posted on the discussion feature, the student will not be expected to strictly follow APA guidelines for online submissions. However, the student is held to academic standards of writing style and the use of proper grammar, punctuation and spelling.
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Punctuality |
Students are expected to:
Check the course calendar for the due dates of assignments.
Check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements.
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Library |
The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students
enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as
electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves,
dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources
needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must
be included in all courses.
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Students with Disabilities |
Qualified students with disabilities will be provided
reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the
appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to
granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive
written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from
the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's
responsibility to initiate contact with his/her home institution's disability
services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the
accommodation notice sent to the instructor.
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Syllabus Changes |
The instructor reserves the right to make changes as
necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the
course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by
individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of
change(s) on the course bulletin board.
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Technical Support |
If you are having problems logging into the course, timing out of the course, using the course web site tools, or other technical problems, please visit the AskRODP Customer Support web page at http://askrodp.custhelp.com or call the AskRODP Help Desk at 1-866-550-RODP (1-866-550-7637)
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Course Orientation |
This is the first course in the informatics program of
study. As you begin learning about a new nursing specialty, there are some
things that you need to do first before you begin the course content!
1. Add the RODP Portal to your browser Favorites.
2. Review the syllabus in detail and Download a Word
Document of the Syllabus for future reference! Having a printed copy of the
syllabus comes in handy from time to time to keep you focused on the semester.
3. Order your textbook(s). The online syllabus also offers
suggestions for your personal professional library.
4. Download Adobe Reader if you don't already have it on
your computer.
5. Download Real Audio if you need a mp3 player.
6. Complete the WebCT Student Orientation if this is your
first online course.
7. Bookmark this Online Computer Terminology Dictionary as
a reference for your use during the course. Because it is a new specialty to
many students, there are many terms that will be used within the content and the
texts you will study that may be unfamiliar - like healthcare, informatics has
it's own terminology! Rather than use a glossary within WebCT, you are
encouraged to refer to the online dictionary and develop a personalized glossary
that you can use throughout the program of study.
8. Set aside several 30-60 minute blocks of time each week
to read, participate in the lectures and complete the Learning Activities. Some
folks will do better with a schedule; others will be fine with catching content
when they can - just don't get behind!
Many students have the impression that online courses are
easier than face-to-face (F2F) courses. That impression is not necessarily
factual. The content is the same, the assignments are the same - but you have
the flexibility to participate in the class when YOU want to, not at a
prescribed timeframe provided by the instructor or university. This can make the
course "easier" in that you are in control. But it can be more
difficult if you fail to prioritize your life so you can devote appropriate time
to the course. When a class meets every Tuesday evening from
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Ground Rules |
The student is expected to:
Learn how to navigate in the WebCT system.
Participate by responding to all discussion questions.
Keep abreast of course announcements.
Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed
to a personal e-mail address.
Contact the instructor if unclear about assignment expectations.
Address technical problems immediately.
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Guidelines for Communications |
Email:
Always include a subject line.
Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the
wrong way.
Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be
helpful in some cases.
Use standard fonts.
Do not send large attachments without permission.
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables,
html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other
communication.
Respect the privacy of other class members.
Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the
discussion.
Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button
rather starting a new topic.
Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members
of the discussion group.
Be respectful of others ideas.
Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly
before entering your remarks.
Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory
statements.
Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.
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How to approach each Module... |
There are 5 modules for this course. Refer to the Calendar to see a suggested time frame for working through each module. This does not prevent working ahead - particularly if you know you will be away from your computer for some reason during the semester. Just be sure and participate in the discussions as they are listed on the calendar.
Approach each module by first reviewing the Introduction link for each module. Here you will find the module objectives, the related course objectives, a suggested reading assignment for the module, and a list of lectures that comprise the module. There is also a quick link on this page to the learning activities associated with each module.
Lectures are presented as webpages and will provide additional content (not included in the reading) or highlight some reading content to guide your study and thought related the module topic. Along the way you will find several icons that will direct your study or activity.
Click for Audio: This icon will remind you that each lecture has an audio track of the content available for students who wish to listen and read the content. Click on the icon to start the audio file.
Hint: There will be times when I suggest that you PAUSE the audio. To do this, simply press the Pause control on the interface!
Learning Activities: This icon is used for all Learning Activities. Some activities have point value toward your final course grade, others are designed to assist you with content mastery.
Each module has a reminder to take a break and move around some. Sitting for long hours at a computer is not healthy and terrible for your back, shoulders, neck, and legs! Get up and stretch, move, walk around, and grab something to drink! Practicing good ergonomics & computing skills are essential to your success!
Once you have digested the content of the reading and the lecture, you will usually have a learning activity that requires you to apply the content and/or interact with your peers to gain further insight about this component of the course content. Each Activity is different and there are specific directions for each activity. These activities are important in your mastery of the content and offer different learning strategies and choices for you to make when appropriate.
Grading Rubrics are posted for each major Learning Activity. Learning Activities with a point value < 3 points are considered "all or nothing" - if you successfully complete the Learning Activity, you will receive all points; if you do not complete or partially complete the activity, you will not receive any points. "Successfully complete" can be defined as you did the activity in the appropriate time frame and your involvement with the activity reflected graduate-level thought, interaction, and/or deliverable.
Monitor the Grades Link to see your progress.
You'll use the WebCT version of web-development for this course, but in subsequent classes, you'll use more sophisticated tools to build a homepage!
This activity should be completed the first week of school!