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Health technology field poised for growth [Journal-News, Hamilton, Ohio :: ](Hamilton Journal News (OH) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 28--HAMILTON -- A recently-developed program on the regional campuses of Miami University is preparing students for the ever-evolving health care system. A bachelor's program in Health Information Technology (HIT) -- approved in January 2012 -- addresses the technology and processes used by health care providers and related organizations. The new major has had eight graduates so far, with another 21 set to graduate in May, said Donna Evans, lecturer and chief departmental adviser. With the growing use of electronic medical records and other technologies, the employment of health information professionals is expected to increase by 20 percent through 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students in the program are being prepared for jobs including technical support, data analysis, user education and software development in settings such as hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes and insurance companies, according to Miami. "Health IT was developed to make health care more effective and efficient," said Kaitlin McCoy, 28, of Hamilton, who's in her final year of the HIT program. "We need to focus on building these systems to help the patients." McCoy was among a group of 30 students and community members Tuesday to attend the first lecture in a speaker series surrounding issues in health information technology. The topic "Meeting User Needs -- Addressing the Generational Divide" was presented by Carolyn Young, progressive care liaison for Kettering Health Network. Young, who's been a nurse for nearly 40 years, spoke about the need for the health care and information technology cultures to better work together to benefit patients and providers. Young said she helps facilitate education and learning opportunities for progressive care nurses across the Kettering network. She said often there's a generational divide among the employees based on their age and comfort level with technology. "Some need step-by-step guidance and others want to dive in and figure it out," Young said. "Know the end user and what generation they're from to find the common denominators." McCoy said the HIT program has been a comprehensive mix of general computer classes, nursing courses and health IT classes. She was previously studying special education before changing to HIT because of better job prospects. McCoy said the development of a HIT program at Miami will help future generations to better develop security to protect patient information. "How long has the Internet been around and people still get hacked," McCoy said. "It motivates me for the field I'm going into to protect patients." ___ (c)2014 the Journal-News (Hamilton, Ohio) Visit the Journal-News (Hamilton, Ohio) at www.journal-news.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |