How to Get a PhD in Health Information Technology

Medical data and health information technology play a crucial role in the efficiency and quality of health care today. By earning a PhD in health information technology, doctoral students take a closer look at the details of technology and practices at the forefront of patient care. Graduates go on to design, implement, and evaluate technologies and techniques in the field.

The first step toward entering a health information technology doctoral degree program is to fully understand the scope of the degree. From there, you can compile a list of potential programs, narrow your list based on your qualifications, and learn how to enter the professional health information technology community.

Earning a PhD in Health Information Technology

Technology and professional care merge in a health information technology doctoral degree program. This terminal degree gives students the tools and framework they need to look closely at one aspect of the practice. Coursework in a health information technology PhD program typically includes formal training on a range of disciplines, including:

• Electronic health records
• Health privacy and security
• Decision support
• Telehealth
• Public health and research informatics
• Data integrity and standards

The coursework you are required to complete generally covers a range of topics, while your dissertation research focuses on a specific subcategory or a combination of categories. As always, your specific doctorate experience can vary based on your individual research interests.

Health Information Technology PhD Process

At the end of the first year of a PhD program in health information technology, students typically take a preliminary examination. At the end of all required coursework, students then take a comprehensive examination. Following the comprehensive exam, students begin their thesis process. After years of research, students present their findings to a seminar of faculty and fellow students.

The doctoral process requires years of high-level education, dedicated research, and focused study. Because of this, earning a PhD means much more than a degree. It represents the culmination of years of original work and thought. Graduates who complete the process enter the health information technology industry as leaders within the discipline.

Popular Backgrounds for Health Information Technology Doctoral Students

A PhD in Health Information Technology represents the culmination of years of knowledge, and doctoral candidates are expected to make an original contribution to the field. Doctoral students often come to the degree after years of schooling and experience in health care. Popular backgrounds include:

• Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) graduates
• Biostatisticians
• Epidemiologists
• Physicians, dentists, or nurses
• Pharmacists
• Health science graduate degree holders

A range of backgrounds gives students the chance to learn from their colleagues over the course of their education, gaining a well-rounded view of health information technology from a variety of clinical and theoretical perspectives.

Campus Versus Online PhD in Health Information Technology

As you begin to research potential doctoral degree programs in health information technology, it's important to consider the distinction between campus and online PhD programs. Each learning format has its own unique benefits:

• Online PhD: With an online PhD in health information technology, students enjoy the freedom to work and study on their own schedule. Many students continue part- or full-time careers while they earn the degree, adding years of experience in the field as they learn. An online degree program does not limit students to one location.

• Campus PhD: While students of campus health information technology doctoral programs have less freedom and may have to limit their career growth, they enjoy the face-to-face interaction with peers and professors. Students in campus PhD programs also have access to technologies and resources that might not be available to online doctoral degree students.

Other options may be available, such as hybrid courses that include some online coursework but include a campus requirement. Your own preferences for a campus-based or online PhD program should determine the method of health information technology schooling you choose.

Alternate Health Information Technology Degrees

A PhD program in health information technology is not the only option for health care administration doctorates. Take a look at some alternative degrees, related to the field of health information technology, that approach the field from a different perspective:

• Doctor of Health Administration (DHA): This health care doctoral degree considers the health care industry in a broad scope, moving beyond technology training to consider a wider range of theory.
• Doctor of Health Education (DHEd): This specialized doctoral degree trains students to become leaders in the field of health care education. Graduates can go on to become policy leaders or educators in institutions of higher learning.

In general, PhD degrees prepare students for high-level research and academic work, DHA degrees offer a professional option for consultants and industry leaders, and DHEd degrees are appropriate for higher education and leadership positions in health care education.

Resources for Health Information Technology Research

Researching potential PhD programs in health information technology is a time-consuming task, but the work comes with the reward of attending a doctoral program that fits your research goals and education needs. Take a look at the following research resources for health information technology association research and doctoral programs:

• U.S. News and World Report has a list ranking top health care management schools from graduate programs, including master's degree programs, and can be arranged by zip code.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services oversees a number of programs related to health information technology, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the American Health Information Community, and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT.

• Compile a list of campus-based and online PhD programs in health information technology using WorldWideLearn.com's school resource page. Browse a list of PhD programs related to health administration and easily contact individual schools.

Once you begin to compile a list of potential PhD health information technology programs, you can begin to narrow your list, focusing on the qualities you're looking for in a degree. The first step in considering any doctoral program is its accreditation status.

Accreditation for Doctoral Degrees in Health Information Technology

The accreditation process helps ensure that your education meets a high standard set by all health information technology schools. The U.S. Department of Education oversees third-party accrediting boards, which keep up-to-date records on institutions of higher education. Earning accreditation means a school has passed rigorous quality control standards.

Earning your health information technology degree from an accredited school gives you more confidence in your degree and helps ensure that your degree:

• Is valued by the same standards as those from other institutions
• Certifies you to teach and research in the field
• Is respected by hiring managers in the field

Individual schools typically list accreditation information on their Web pages. If you're ever in doubt about a school's accreditation, look up their accrediting body or contact the U.S. Department of Education for more information.

Focus Your PhD Program Research

Transform a list of potential health information technology doctoral programs to a manageable few by considering each in terms of the following criteria:

• Faculty: Research health information technology departments to learn more about their faculty. Do they publish regularly, proving their work with current technologies? Are they active members of professional health information technology organizations? Look for faculty members with research that aligns with your own goals; their experience can help you deepen your knowledge within the subfield that interests you.

• History: In order to remain valuable to the industry, health information technology programs must walk a fine line between standing on the edge of technology and possessing a strong history. While a school with a long history can suggest success to potential students, always be sure that the technologies practiced, taught, and advocated by health information technology doctoral programs meet current standards.
  
  
• Alumni: Talk to admissions counselors about alumni statistics, including tenure track position acceptance rates, successful alumni in the field, and more. The success of a school's alumni speaks to the doctoral program's strength. Additionally, ask about alumni groups within the school or department.

• Admissions: Requirements for admissions vary based on your degree and school. The most competitive schools generally require the most materials and highest application fees from students. Be prepared to submit transcripts, GRE or MCAT test scores, letters of intent, letters of recommendation, and fees.
  
  
• Community: Your school's health information technology community may have a lot to do with your success in the program. Learn about the academic and surrounding community from department chairs, academic advisors, and alumni groups. If a close-knit society of academics sounds appealing to you, look for programs with high involvement.

Use these criteria to help narrow the list of potential health information technology PhD programs. By applying them to each prospective health information technology PhD program, you can come up with a list of the best graduate programs for your needs. As a result, you can save time and application fees. Additionally, you can come into the program with more insight into your own goals.

PhD Degree Resources from WorldWideLearn.com

You may have already have used WorldWideLearn.com to compile a list of potential health information technology PhD programs. But did you know that the site offers many more resources to potential doctoral students and PhD candidates at all stages of the process. Take a look at a few more resources offered for free by WorldWideLearn.com:

• Paying for school? Browse to the Financial Aid section for information about financial aid. Learn more about government grants and loans, scholarships, and more.

• Looking for career advice? Check out the Career Assessment section for fun quizzes, articles, and other resources focused on the job search for students and graduates.

• Considering other majors? Use the Guide to College Majors for more information on potential majors and minors related to health care and information technology.

• Searching for general knowledge? Head to the Education Resources page for more information on accreditation and facts on campus-based and online PhD programs.

The resources at WorldWideLearn.com are a free way to learn more about online education, health information technology programs, and higher education in general. Browse the site to find helpful pages on a range of related topics.

Health Information Technology Community Resources

Your success in the world of health information technology can be partly determined by your willingness to join and interact with other members of the academic and clinical community. Take a look at some popular organizations and publications within the discipline:

Professional Organizations

• American Health Information Management Association
• Center for Health Transformation
• Center for Information Technology Leadership
• Center for Studying Health System Change
• eHealth Initiative
• Medical Records Institute

Related Publications

• Government Health IT
• Advance for Health Information Professionals
• Health Data Management
• Healthcare Informatics
• Informatics in Primary Care
• Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
• Journal of Medical Internet Research

Conferences

• Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Annual Conference and Exhibition
• Toward an Electronic Patient Record (TEPR)
• Toward an Electronic Health Record Europe (TEHRE)
• Health Information Technology Summit

Earning your doctoral degree in health information technology means adding your voice to a community of industry leaders. Take the time to research potential doctoral degree programs, and you can enjoy the benefits of entering a degree program with confidence.

Sources

• American Health Information Management Association
• Center For Health IT at the AAFP
• The Kaiser Family Foundation
• The U.S. Department of Health
• U.S. News and World Report