This graduate level introductory course provides an overview to healthcare quality from the view of information science and the discipline of informatics. It takes a patient centered approach that covers the complexities of quality and the scientific basis for understanding the measurement and improvement of quality, considers the macro- and micro- levels of systems involved in quality measurement and improvement, as well as the organizational environments that are used to deliver care. It provides the learner with a framework for key theories and concepts, and models of quality improvement.

Additional Information

Course Goals

After completing this course, students should be able to:

• Discuss the current state of knowledge and scientific efforts to understand and measure healthcare outcomes and quality.
• Describe micro and macro systems involved in healthcare measurement and improvement.
• Discuss the environmental aspects influencing the delivery of health care and its quality.
• Identify the use of information systems and technology to support and improve patient care and healthcare outcomes.
• Describe trends and issues in health care outcomes and quality.