Journal Entry #1 – Introduction to Health Informatics & Evidence-Based Practice

DUE JANUARY 15 AT 11:59PM

Evidence based practice is the foundation for health care practice today. It requires making informed decisions based on the combination of patient data, clinician expertise, best research evidence, and the patient values and preferences. As discussed in class, health informatics “pursues the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving, and decision making […] to improve human health.” The purpose of this first journal is to help get to know you, understand your motivation and knowledge of the health field, and help you gain understanding of some of these areas through reflection. Some of this reflection and my feedback will also help you with future professional program applications and career/internship interviews.

Clinician ExpertiseYour first journal entry will help me better understand your current clinical expertise and interests moving forward. For example,

Introduction (name, class level) What is your major? How does this major prepare you the best for your field? What career path(s) are you most interested in? Why? (For example, consider

including explanations about areas of practice, previous experience school or work experience that informs your interest(s), etc)

People have different ways of learning, so this has implications for how you learn, work, and engage with others. Dr. Howard Gardner from Harvard Graduate School of Education identifies 8 different types of intelligence (optional video if you want to learn more). Complete the Multiple Intelligences Assessment to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Based on your results, address the following items in your journal entry

What are your areas of strength? How will they help you as a health care provider?

What are your areas of weakness? How might this impact your work as a health care provider?

Values & PreferencesAs also a consumer of health care services, it is important to explore your values and preferences. Complete the Value Sort project

1. Go to http://www.pztools.org/valuesort/event/ZjQ2O1912. Click on Create a new Value Sort for this Event3. Under Title, enter your first name and last initial4. Click and drag the Value Sort Cards into the columns below5. Hit Save once all values are sorted

Respond to the following:In the journal, describe which values were easy to sort, difficult to sort, and why. You should address at least 3 values for easy and at least 3 for difficult.

Research Evidence (Information Literacy Skills)Information literacy skills are essential to find, appraise, and synthesize the best research evidence. Health informatics also relies on research evidence to determine how technology helps improve care, improves health, and reduces cost.

For the journal, complete the following sentences

For academic or class assignments, my questions or information needs come from….For personal questions, my questions or information needs come from….

For academic assignments, I start my research using…For personal questions, I start my research using…

For academic assignments, I determine which results to look at by these criteria…For personal questions, I determine which results to look at by these criteria…

For academic assignments, I know that I understand the information I’ve researched when I can…For personal questions, I know that I understand the information I’ve researched when I can…