Big data. STEM. Healthcare. Experts often mention these topics when discussing the future of work. How about a job that involves all three? Health information does just that, and it’s been a rich and fulfilling career for me.
As health information professionals, we are passionate about quality care and recognize the impact health information has throughout healthcare at every level. We aim to deliver an accurate, data-driven outlook in all things we do. We are a field built for the future of work.
Here are four things you should know about health information:
It’s growing
As healthcare advances, health information will be critical for successfully navigating a changing landscape. Health information professionals can expect to be in high demand as the health sector expands. By 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects careers in health information to grow by 11 percent, which, the agency notes, is “much faster than the average for all occupations.”
It’s for those who care
Are you interested in healthcare and helping people, but don’t necessarily want to see patients? Health information professionals understand health information is human information. We see the person in front of the data, and understand the value of ensuring they remain considered and connected to their information.
Think of all the information patients share with doctors and nurses every day. That information deserves to be safeguarded and secured, right? Health information professionals care for patients by caring for their data.
It needs people diverse interests and skill sets
As a health information professional, I love working at the intersection of healthcare, business, and technology. If you’re interested in these, as well as management, law, and more, health information may be right for you. As a health information student, you’ll gain and improve clinical, information technology, leadership, and management skills.
It’s flexible
Like the idea of working with others, including physicians, nurses, lawyers, administrators, and executives? Health information offers many opportunities for collaboration. Nonetheless, for those who prefer working alone, there are opportunities for working independently while contributing to the bigger picture.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, the more places you can do your job, the better. Health information is agile and lends itself to remote work as much as many technology professions.
I hope this information is insightful for those of you interested in choosing a career path or making a transition. The organization of which I’m the president/chair, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), is the leading voice and authority in health information.
Visit our website at AHIMA.org to learn more about this exciting field.