Health Informatics vs. Health Information Management

The health care field is home to an abundance of opportunities. Numerous roles across the industry require different education, training, and skills, allowing health care practitioners of all kinds to make a difference in the lives of patients.

However, it can sometimes be challenging to identify what health care niche is right for you, especially when different roles overlap in key areas. For example, what is the difference between health informatics and health information management? By comparing these disciplines, you’ll be better able to determine which degree program and career will best fit your goals!

Key Takeaways

• Health informatics and health information management overlap in many ways but also have key differences and varied career opportunities.
• Health information management focuses on record handling and organization while health informatics is focused on systems and database efficiency.
• When deciding which direction to pursue, individuals will want to reflect on their skills, educational goals, and ideal career trajectory.

What Is Health Informatics? 

Health informatics is a multidisciplinary field that utilizes information technologies and data to improve health care. According to the American Medical Informatics Association, it’s commonly confused with the fields of data science, data analytics and health information management. In actuality, health informatics professionals draw from all of these disciplines to better serve patients. Roles in health informatics tend to emphasize IT systems and data sharing as well.

Given that health informatics is a varied field, professionals may specialize in specific practice areas. Some of these subdisciplines include clinical research informatics, consumer health informatics, and public health informatics. Individuals with a passion for health information technology will thrive in the health informatics industry. While these professionals spend less time directly interacting with patients, they still make a huge impact on patient outcomes by analyzing and improving health information systems.

What is Health Information Management?

The core focus of health information management (HIM) is the handling and protection of medical information—in both electronic and traditional records. Careers in HIM are well-suited to those interested in the intersection of medicine, information technology, business, and management. Health information management ensures that patient health information is available, complete, and in compliance with any regulations. This makes health information management vital to both patients and health care providers.

The coursework for a Bachelor’s degree in HIM may cover topics like revenue cycle management, health care reimbursement methodologies, and legal issues within health care delivery. HIM professionals are prepared to manage patient information in a variety of health care settings and have a range of potential responsibilities. These include collecting patient information, maintaining medical records, and following privacy laws. Above all, health information managers must uphold the highest standards for storing and sharing patient information in a secure manner.

Key Differences Between Health Informatics and Health Information Management

From the above descriptions, it’s clear these disciplines overlap in terms of general focus and skill sets. However, some key differences mean you may prefer one field over the other. This can especially be impacted by your interests, educational goals, and the specific career you’re interested in pursuing.

Focus Areas

Both health informatics and health information management (HIM) are concerned with patient information. However, a good way to differentiate between the two disciplines is by looking at how exactly they interact with or utilize patient data. With health information management, the focus is on record handling and organization, whereas health informatics is focused on systems and database efficiency.

Another important distinction to consider is that health informatics is directly tied to digital data and electronic means of storing information. There is a greater emphasis on technology and computer science. By contrast, health information management may include electronic and traditionally recorded data, such as hand-written notes from clinicians or other paper records. While roles in health information management generally require competency with digital systems, they are more focused on managing patient information rather than optimizing the systems themselves.

Career Opportunities

Whether you go into health informatics or health information management, you can consider a wide range of career options! Certain jobs may be well-suited to one skill set over another; other jobs can be performed by professionals in either discipline.

Some potential careers in health informatics include:

• Bioinformatics Scientist
• Clinical Data Analyst
• IT Project Manager
• Application Specialist
• Database Administrator
• Systems Analyst

If you’re more interested in health information management, some potential careers include:

• Health Information Manager
• Quality Coordinator
• Data Quality Manager
• Compliance Officer
• Computer and Information Systems Manager
• Coding Manager

Skills and Education

Regardless of the direction you plan to take, a bachelor’s degree in health informatics or health information management will be advantageous when applying for jobs. A bachelor’s degree in your chosen field with equip you with the skill set necessary to thrive in a variety of roles.

Depending on your goals, you may consider pairing a health informatics undergraduate degree with a medical coder certificate to increase your skills. Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s, you can also pursue a master’s degree in health informatics to make yourself competitive for higher-level roles.

If you plan to earn your Bachelor’s in Health Information Management, your next step will be a Registered Health Information Administration (RHIA®) certification. Luckily, UC’s online Health Information Management degree prepares you for the RHIA exam. Not sure if a bachelor’s is right for you? An associate degree is an alternative that still provides you with new opportunities in health information systems.

Work Environment and Teams

In many cases, roles in health information management tend to be more patient-facing than in health informatics. Because HIM professionals are often collecting and updating patient records, they may interface directly with patients, as well as physicians, insurance companies, and other health care providers.

Because health informatics professionals typically analyze patient data rather than collect those records themselves, they may spend less time interacting directly with patients. Even so, communication is a huge part of this role. To perform data analysis and improve health systems and databases, individuals working in health informatics may interact frequently with a variety of health care and information technology professionals.

Salary and Growth Potential

Typical salaries for both health informatics and health information management will vary based on location, level of education, and other job-specific factors. Even so, there is excellent earning potential for both types of roles.

In terms of health informatics roles, the median salary is $104,920 for an IT project manager and $91,100 for a bioinformatics scientist. In the realm of health information management, coding directors typically earn a salary of $83,929, whereas directors of HIM typically earn $107,298 annually. This translates to a possible salary range of $80,000-110,000 for either of these disciplines, making it a lucrative field.

Potential for growth is also excellent in the health care data industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of health information technologists, for example, will grow 16% by 2033. As with many careers in health care, health informatics and health information management professionals have access to increasing job opportunities as older individuals retire or pivot careers.

Which Path Is Right for You?

To decide whether a career in health informatics or health information management is right for you, you’ll need to reflect on your background and priorities. This includes your educational history, skill set, interests, and long-term career goals. You’ll also want to consider the level of education you intend to complete. For example, high-level positions in health informatics may require a graduate degree in order to apply for them.

If your interests veer toward health care management, patient privacy and information security, then a career in health information management is a perfect fit. On the other hand, if you are motivated to optimize health care data and information technology at a broad level, then a career in health informatics will serve you well.

How Can UC Help You?

Regardless of which degree you choose to pursue, you will make a difference in patient care and the health care industry. Unsure of where to start? At the University of Cincinnati, we offer multiple programs that help you achieve your goals entirely online. 

You can pursue a bachelor’s in health informatics—and go on to earn your master’s as well. As for health information management, if you already have an associate degree, you can finish your bachelor’s in health information management. If not, you can start with an associate degree in health information systems and unlock numerous career opportunities along the way.

Regardless of which degree you choose to pursue, the individualized support you’ll receive from UC’s dedicated online staff remains the same. It’s never been easier to earn an advanced degree entirely online while still balancing your job, family, and day-to-day life. If you have more questions, contact an Enrollment Advisor and get the application process started today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What is the difference between health information management and health informatics?

Health information management tends to focus on the handling and updating of patient information. Health informatics hones in on analyzing and improving the systems themselves that hold this information.

Which field pays more: health informatics or health information management?

Health informatics and health information management show similar potential salaries in the $80,000-110,000 range, but due to the advanced skills required, the health informatics industry has greater room for higher salaries overall. A clinical informatics manager, one of the highest paying health informatics roles, can earn up to $211,000 annually.

Do I need a degree to work in health informatics or health information management?

While this will depend on the specific requirements of the job, a bachelor’s degree in either field will give you a competitive edge when applying to jobs. In the health informatics industry in particular, a master’s degree is typically advantageous for higher-level positions since those may require advanced computer science and IT knowledge.