The Role of Health Informatics in Modern Healthcare and Pandemic Response

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped nearly every aspect of life — and perhaps nowhere more visibly than in healthcare. From tracking infection rates to managing ICU capacity, the pandemic accelerated the need for fast, accurate, and actionable health data. 

This need brought the field of health informatics to the forefront. Health informatics — the interdisciplinary field combining healthcare, information science and technology — enables professionals to collect, analyze and apply health data to improve patient care, optimize operations and inform public health decisions. 

During COVID-19, the value of these skills became unmistakable. Keep reading to learn more. 

Health Data: The New Currency of Crisis Management

As the pandemic unfolded, data quickly became one of the world’s most critical resources. Health informatics professionals played an essential role in managing and interpreting data across a range of areas, including: 

• Public health surveillance and contact tracing 

• Predictive modeling for hospital resource needs 

• Monitoring vaccine distribution and effectiveness 

• Tracking virus mutations and spread patterns 

The National Library of Medicine’s PubMed database, for example, now includes more than 470,000 articles referencing “COVID-19” — a staggering reflection of how quickly health knowledge evolved during the crisis. But gathering data is only part of the story. 

Turning that data into meaningful insights — while navigating privacy concerns, fragmented data systems and reporting inconsistencies — is where health informatics expertise becomes invaluable. 

Real-World Applications of Health Informatics During COVID-19

Health informatics professionals were embedded across a range of organizations during the pandemic, including: 

• Hospitals and healthcare systems 

• Government public health agencies 

• Pharmaceutical and biotech companies 

• Health IT and EHR vendors 

Their responsibilities ranged from developing dashboards for real-time monitoring to supporting automated contact tracing and improving the accuracy of public health reporting. 

For example, tracking ICU bed availability was vital for resource planning, but data inconsistencies across regions complicated decision-making. Skilled informatics professionals were essential in validating data sources, cleaning datasets and ensuring healthcare leaders could act on reliable information. 

This level of expertise helps prevent costly mistakes, supports faster response times and ultimately saves lives. 

How Health Informatics Powers Pandemic Response — and Beyond

The role of health informatics goes far beyond pandemic response. In today’s healthcare landscape, informatics skills are essential for: 

• Enhancing symptom tracking and case reporting 

• Optimizing supply chain management for critical resources 

• Identifying emerging health trends through geospatial analysis 

• Supporting pharmacovigilance and monitoring adverse drug reactions 

• Improving population health through predictive analytics 

Health informatics tools and technologies — from electronic health records (EHRs) to geospatial mapping and AI-driven analytics — continue to shape how healthcare is delivered, managed, and improved. 

Why the Future of Healthcare Depends on Health Informatics

The pandemic underscored the importance of building a healthcare workforce skilled in both technology and data interpretation. As healthcare organizations continue to navigate complex challenges — from emerging diseases to operational inefficiencies — the demand for health informatics professionals is only growing. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations — and roles focused on health information are a key part of that trend. 

Prepare for a Health Informatics Career

The University of Scranton’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics program is designed to equip professionals with the skills needed to thrive in this rapidly evolving field. 

The specialized curriculum helps students learn how to: 

• Analyze and interpret complex health data 

• Design technology-driven solutions to healthcare challenges 

• Understand regulatory and ethical considerations 

• Collaborate with healthcare leaders to drive data-informed strategies 

Graduates are prepared to pursue various careers in healthcare systems, public health organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and technology vendors — applying informatics expertise to improve patient outcomes and shape the future of healthcare. 

Transform Health Data Into Meaningful Impact

Explore how The University of Scranton can help you advance your health informatics career and make a meaningful impact in healthcare. Learn more about the online master’s in health informatics today!