CANDIDATE INFORMATION

1. What is a PhD thesis topic relevant to the field of Health Informatics?

Health Informatics (HI) is a discipline with more than 50 years of existence. Along this period many sub-specialisations have emerged. HI is considered as the core set of information methods, theories and tools which are relevant to healthcare, biomedical research and public health. However depending on the application domain, different sub-specialities can be identified. For example when HI methods are applied in a clinical setting we refer to this as clinical informatics. Another way of explaining these sub-specialities is taking into account the final user of the systems, for example if they address the specific needs of a segment of a population we can refer to aged care informatics or if they address tissues and organs, imaging informatics.¹Any area of research that aims to improve human health and longevity by employing digital technology is within HI guidelines.

HI research continues to transform healthcare in many areas including costs, the sharing of medical data, patient participation, greater coordination between providers, and improved patient outcomes.²

The HI field is evolving over time. This FAQ provides some guidance to students wishing to verify the eligibility of their PhD research for an application to the Australasian College of Informatics (ACHI) Fellowship by Training Program. It is not prescriptive; rather it is suggestive of current Health Informatics (HI) research work. A PhD thesis by research addressing any of these guidelines will be considered an eligible PhD thesis for the purposes of an ACHI Health Informatics by Training application.

2. What is a PhD thesis topic relevant to the field of Health Information Management?

In Australia, Health Information Management (HIM) is already defined as a distinct professional jurisdiction by HIMAA’ HIM Competency Standard for tertiary and postgraduate sector, and HIMAA’ Coder Units of Competency in the VET sector. HIM theses are complementary to the health informatics set of theses eligible for consideration in applications for the ACHI Fellowship by Training Program, but it is more fitting to define the relationship between these in consultation with the health information management professional jurisdiction at a future date.¹ Therefore, the assessment of research domains considered eligible for ACHI Fellowship application purposes is listed in Part 1.

1. Pre-existing Health Informatics Educational Frameworks that informed the Certified Health Informatician Australia Health Informatics Competency Framework, December 2013. http://www.healthinformaticscertification.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/CHIA-competencies-Framework_FINAL.pdf COACH/DHC (2012) http://digitalhealthcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Health-Informatics-Core-Competencies.pdf AMIA (just revised in 2017) http://cahiim.org/documents/FINAL%20AMIA%20Health%20Informatics%20Core%20Competencies%20for%20CAHIIM.pdf IMIA (2010) https://www.ejbi.org/scholarly-articles/recommendations-of-the-international-medical-informaticsassociation-imia-on-education-in-biomedical-and-healthinformatic.pdf

2. E.H. Shortliffe & J.J Cimino (Eds) (2014) Biomedical Informatics: Computer Applications in Health Care and Biomedicine (Ed 4). Springer, London.

We recommend that you consult with your PhD supervisor prior to applying. You will need to be aware of your Universities policy regarding working during your PhD as this will impact when you complete your paid work placements. If you are on a scholarship you must also be aware of the terms and conditions prior to submitting your application.

ACHI may contact your PhD supervisor directly if required.

All changes to your PhD are coordinated directly with your University. Please update the Fellowship Program Manager with any changes.

Completion of your PhD is managed by the University that you are enrolled in. We ask that you keep the Fellowship Program Manager up to date on your expected submission date.

Yes, you can. You should still be in the first year full time equivalent of your PhD studies to apply.

Yes, you can. You will be required to suspend your PhD to complete your work placement. During this time your scholarship may also be suspended temporarily. Please refer to the terms and conditions of your scholarship prior to applying.

We will work closely with you to match you to an appropriate host organisation that can offer a project or work environment that best suits your areas of interest and expertise. As the program is designed to broaden your health informatics experience the role/project may not necessarily be directly related to your PhD topic but it will be within the health informatics field.

You will be asked to nominate three organisations or government departments that you would like to work for as part of your application.

We also encouarge you to look for your own work placements, which will need to be approved by ACHI prior to commencing.

If ACHI is unable to offer two work placements to you within two years of being awarded your PhD your participation in the Fellowship by Training Program will come to an end and you will not be eligible to receive Fellowship. In this instance you will be directed to the Fellowship by Application process.

Our Fellowship Program Manager will talk to you more about work placement opportunities once you are accepted into the program.

Yes, if you are working within two different teams or if you have two different line managers or supervisors during this time.

If you are able, and willing, to relocate this may create more opportunities for you. However, relocation will be at your own cost and is not compulsory.

Yes, however this is dependent on the host organisation. If you have a scholarship you will need to ensure the terms of your scholarship allow part time work.

Students are required to complete the agreed work placement. If your circumstances change and will impact your ability to complete your work palcement please contact the Fellowship Program Manager.

Work placements are an excellent way to demonstrate to potential employers your skillset, attitude and work ethic. While you are not guaranteed to secure a full time permanent position it is an opportunity to connect with, and impress, future employers.

You must complete your Work Placement once you have been accepted into the Fellowship Program. Previous work experience will not be counted as part of your work placement requirement however you may be able to accrue points as part of the Recognition of Prior Learning process.

You can nominate in your application which organisations you would prefer to work with however this is not guaranteed.

We do encourage you to look for your own suitable work placements but they do need to be approved by ACHI prior to commencing.

It works best if you come into the Fellowship by Training Program with an open mind about the opportunities that may be presented to you.

As you will be entering an employment agreement with your host, details of IP rights will be outlined in the contract. It is standard practice that the IP will remain the property of the host organisation. Please note that if you bring in the IP from your PhD it will become the property of the Host organisation so you need to think carefully about this.