On completion of this module the student will have a good understanding of the key clinical IT systems that encompass a modern digital hospital and their uses. They will be critically aware of the benefits and limitations of such systems, how adoption can be optimised and measured, as well as developing a capability in proposing and acquiring such systems in the wider health environment.
Clinical Information and Decision Support Systems
Overview
| Module Code | PHPS41040 |
| Module Title | Clinical Information and Decision Support Systems |
| Subject Area | Public Health and Population Sciences |
| Credits | 10 |
| NFQ | 9 |
| EFQ | 0 |
| Start Date | 15th Sept 2025 |
| Duration | 14 Weeks |
| Time | Fridays (Monthly) – usually 09.00 – 13.00 (Subject to change) |
| Mode of Delivery | Classroom mostly |
| Course Leader | Prof. Neil O’Hare |
| Fee | €1800 50% Learner Fee Subsidy |
| Application Deadline | 31st August 2025 |
A Clinical Information System (CIS) is a computer based system that is designed for collecting, storing, manipulating and making available clinical information important to the healthcare delivery process.
Clinical Information Systems may be limited in extent to a single area (e.g. laboratory systems, ECG management systems) or they may be more widespread and include virtually all aspects of clinical information (e.g. electronic medical records).
Clinical Information Systems provide a clinical data repository that stores clinical data such as the patient’s history of illness and the interactions with care providers. The repository encodes information capable of helping physicians decide about the patient’s condition, treatment options, and wellness activities as well as the status of decisions, actions undertaken and other relevant information that could help in performing those actions.
This module provides a comprehensive overview of clinical IT systems, how they form part of the overall fully electronic patient record, and an overview of how to acquire systems and measure progress. Topic to be covered include:
• Departmental Systems
• National Clinical Systems (NIMIS, MedLIS, MN-CMS)
• EPR vs EHR vs PHR
• “Single Vendor vs Best of Breed”
• Integration and Interoperability of Systems
• Opensource Solutions
• eHealth Developments internationally
• Clinical Adoption Models (e.g. HIMSS)
• Writing a Business Case for a System
• Developing a Roadmap for Application Strategy
• Benefits Realisation and System Optimisation
• Reporting on Evaluation Studies in HI (STARE-HI guidelines)
• Clinical Decision Support Systems and integration into clinical care
• “Alert Fatigue”
This course is aimed at people interested in engaging with aspect of healthcare IT / Informatics / eHealth. It aims to give a good overview of the main clinical systems involved in digital health and the benefits / pit falls related to these.
This micro-credential is delivered through the UCD online learning platform (Brightspace) and will consist of lectures/seminars, critical writing, and learner presentations.
A repository of resources will be available to support your learning, and as a UCD student, you will have full access to the library.
This is a 10 ECTS micro-credential and involves approximately 200 hours of learner effort.
- Applicants must have a degree in healthcare or computer/technology sciences, as well as some practical experience in healthcare or closely associated to healthcare.
Assignments with some in class activities / group work.
Written feedback will be provided for essays. Group/class feedback will be provided for presentations.
- PHPS40980 Introduction to Knowledge Synthesis, Systematic Reviews & Meta-analysis
- PHPS40990 Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Clinical Guidelines
- PHPS40970 Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials
- PHPS41160 Patient-Centred Outcomes
The above can be cumulatively used towards professional Certificate in Knowledge Synthesis (X973)
- PHPS40460
- Biostatistics II
Please note: Learners can avail of only one form of funding per application.
Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy-Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3
The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning through micro-credentials. The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy is funded by Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
HCI Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidies are available on identified micro-credentials only from March 2024 until October 2025. Funded places are limited and course providers will administer the subsidy on a first come first serve basis.
Please see Eligibility Criteria for further information.
If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.