Understanding the Importance of Health Informatics: Where Healthcare and Technology Meet

Health informatics sits at the intersection of healthcare, information technology, data science and analytics. It’s transforming how we understand, deliver and improve care. As the industry seeks smarter ways to manage rising healthcare costs, improve outcomes and empower patients, health informatics offers promising solutions. 

Consider the example of Dexcom, a mobile health company that developed a wearable device allowing continuous glucose monitoring. This FDA-approved technology enables real-time tracking and remote sharing of glucose data — empowering caregivers and patients, particularly children with diabetes, to respond quickly to changes and improve health outcomes. 

Such innovations underscore how informatics bridges data and decision-making, creating more connected, personalized healthcare experiences. 

How Technology Is Transforming Care

At its core, health informatics uses digital tools and analytics to make healthcare more proactive, efficient and tailored to individual needs. From hospital systems to at-home apps, technology plays a critical role in enhancing both clinical workflows and patient engagement. 

One notable example is Figure 1, a medical app that allows clinicians to share real-world case studies. This crowdsourced approach to diagnosis supports collaborative learning and helps providers make more informed decisions — especially when facing rare or complex cases. 

Health informatics also improves hospital efficiency by reducing redundancies and minimizing errors through integrated electronic health records (EHRs) and decision-support systems. 

Millennials and the Shift to Digital-First Healthcare

Millennials are driving the rise of mobile health. Unlike previous generations, they expect healthcare experiences to be as digital and on-demand as other aspects of their lives. 

Today’s patients are more empowered than ever, often turning to the internet to research symptoms, treatments, and medications before visiting a doctor. This shift toward digital self-education has made healthcare more consumer-driven, with many individuals arriving at appointments ready to discuss specific medications or treatment options they've discovered online. 

Mobile apps and wearable devices — such as Fitbit, Apple Watch and other fitness trackers — are also transforming the way individuals monitor their own health. These tools can track physical activity, nutrition, heart rate, sleep patterns and more, often syncing directly with healthcare providers or personal health records. 

This type of patient-generated health data has enormous potential for preventive care and chronic condition management. 

The Promise (and Challenges) of Big Data in Healthcare

The power of health informatics lies in big data — collecting, analyzing and applying massive volumes of health information to deliver personalized care and improve public health. 

Benefits of big data in healthcare include: 

• Precision medicine based on genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. 

• Real-time data for population health management and disease outbreak tracking. 

• Enhanced hospital operations and patient flow through predictive analytics. 

However, as the industry embraces digital systems, cybersecurity remains a top concern. Medical data is a prime target for cybercriminals, and breaches can compromise not just privacy, but patient safety. 

Ransomware attacks on hospitals and health systems are rising. This reality reinforces the need for secure infrastructure, staff training and compliance with standards such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 

The Internet of Things (IoT) and Patient-Driven Care

Another new frontier in health informatics is the Internet of Things (IoT) — a network of connected devices that collect and exchange data. In healthcare, IoT includes wearable monitors, smart inhalers, implantable sensors and even AI-assisted diagnostic tools. 

These innovations allow for: 

• Continuous, remote monitoring of chronic conditions. 

• Timely alerts to clinicians or caregivers. 

• Integration of real-time data into EHRs for improved clinical decision-making. 

While still evolving, these systems are helping shift care from reactive to preventive—putting more control in the hands of patients. 

Additionally, interoperability among healthcare systems and apps is improving, enabling a more unified view of patient health and enhancing care coordination across providers. 

Career Opportunities in a Rapidly Growing Field

Health informatics professionals are increasingly in demand, as organizations seek individuals who can bridge clinical knowledge with technological expertise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is expected to grow much faster than average, with data-related roles playing a key role in this surge. 

Skills in data analytics, population health, cybersecurity, EHR systems and mobile health app development are especially sought after across hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms and public health agencies. 

Launch Your Career in Health Informatics

As the healthcare industry becomes more data-driven and digitally integrated, there’s never been a better time to pursue advanced training in health informatics. 

The online Master of Science in Health Informatics program at The University of Scranton equips students with the knowledge and technical skills needed to lead in this evolving field. The curriculum blends coursework in healthcare systems, data analytics, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and population health — preparing graduates for in-demand roles that shape the future of patient care. 

Whether you’re a healthcare professional looking to deepen your technical expertise or an IT specialist eager to transition into healthcare, this program offers flexible on-campus or online formats to help you achieve your goals. 

Take the Next Step Toward Transforming Healthcare

Learn more about how The University of Scranton can help you make a meaningful impact in this vital industry.

Explore the online MS in Health Informatics program today!