Essays Spring 2018

The Informatics Opportunity

Due: January 21, 2018 by 11:59PM UTC-12. Submit your essay as a PDF (“Essay 1 – <gt_username>.pdf” format) via Canvas.

Background

In lessons 1-2 you learned about the current state of and the challenges faced by the US Healthcare system. You also learned about the current state-of-the-art and challenges faced by health informatics ‘in the real world’. This essay provides you an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of those concepts and connections.

Skills Required

Proficient English reading, writing and research skills. Strong suggestion that you use the recommended reading for background and use short quotes from it as appropriate. Provide at least 4 references to back up your key points.

Project Length

Essay Questions:

What is an ICU? eICU? How do they compare and differ? (~100 words, 0.1 points)
What is the historical relationship between HL7 and FHIR? (~200 words, 0.2 points)
How does the uninsured impact healthcare costs? What are 3 chronic diseases that contribute to driving those costs? (~250 words, 0.3 points)
What is the role of health informatics and how can health information technology be utilized to lower costs and provide better care for patients? (~350 words, 0.4 points)

Be as specific as possible and use the lectures as a starting point in responding to these questions. Look for and cite applicable sources that provide support for your responses.

Citations:

Please use the APA format for citations. If you have additionally questions on this, please post on Piazza.

Special Note:

Your essay will be scanned via a Plagiarism Checker, so please sure to double check, triple check your work and citations. The first offense will yield a “0” and the second will be followed with a “F” in the course and a formal report. By completing this assignment you are agreeing to abide by the GT Honor Code.

Health Informatics in the Real World

Due: January 28, 2018 by 11:59PM UTC-12. Submit your essay as a PDF (“Essay 2 – <gt_username>.pdf” format) via Canvas.

Background

In lessons 3-5 you learned more about Health Informatics and how it impacts the world today. This essay provides you an opportunity to reflect on the impact of those concepts and connections.

Skills Required

Project Length

Essay should have no more than the maximum word count of 1500 words. We suggest ~1400 words. This essay must be single spaced, with 12-point font and submitted as a PDF. The word limit will be enforced — only the first 1500 words of your essay will be graded. Note: The questions require more of a short answer response than essay – just remember to cite appropriately, as though in an essay.

Essay Questions:

What are EHRs and EMRs? How do they compare and differ? (~100 words, 0.2 points)
In detail, define the ONC. How does ONC impact healthcare vendors and EHRs? (~150 words, 0.3 points)
What is Meaningful Use? (~200 words, 0.3 points)
Should patients be the aggregation point for all or any of their health data? Why or why not? (~200 words, 0.2 points)
Describe the challenges around PHRs? (~200 words, 0.3 points)
Explain the Blue Button on FHIR Project and how the idea was formulated. (~100 words, 0.1 points)
How does Interoperability and Meaningful Use relate? (~150 words, 0.2 points)
What is the Health Information Exchange? How does Privacy, Security and Trust relate to the Health Information Exchange? (~250 words, 0.4 points)

Be as specific as possible and use the lectures as a starting point in responding to these questions. Look for and cite applicable sources that provide support for your responses.

Citations:

Please use the APA format for citations. If you have additional questions on this, please post on Piazza.

Special Note:

Data Standards

Due: February 4, 2018 by 11:59PM UTC-12. Submit your essay as a PDF (“Essay 3 – <gt_username>.pdf” format) via Canvas.

Background

In lesson 6, you learned more about Data Standards, their evolution and the relevant codes used today. This essay provides you an opportunity to reflect on the impact of those concepts and connections.

Skills Required

Project Length

Essay should have no more than the maximum word count of 1200 words. We suggest ~900 words. This essay must be single spaced, with 12-point font and submitted as a PDF. The word limit will be enforced — only the first 1200 words of your essay will be graded. Note: The questions require more of a short answer response than essay – just remember to cite appropriately, as though in an essay.

Essay Questions:

Why do we need Data Standards? (150 words, 0.3 points)
In detail, discuss the Key Data Standards (~350 words, 0.7 points)
What is RxNorm? You must give a detailed response. (~150 words, 0.5 points)
Why is SNOMED a significant component of Data Standards? (~250 words, 0.5 points)

Be as specific as possible and use the lectures as a starting point in responding to these questions. Look for and cite applicable sources that provide support for your responses.

Citations:

Please use the APA format for citations. If you have additional questions on this, please post on Piazza.

Special Note:

Pre-FHIR Interoperability Standards

Due: February 11, 2018 by 11:59PM UTC-12. Submit your essay as a PDF (“Essay 4 – <gt_username>.pdf” format) via Canvas.

Background

In lesson 7, you learned about the pre-FHIR Interoperability Standards and how they set the bar for FHIR. This essay provides you an opportunity to reflect on the impact of those standards.

Skills Required

Project Length

Essay should have no more than the maximum word count of 1500 words. We suggest ~1200 words. This essay must be single spaced, with 12-point font and submitted as a PDF. The word limit will be enforced — only the first 1500 words of your essay will be graded. Note: The questions require more of a short answer response than essay – just remember to cite appropriately, as though in an essay.

Essay Questions:

Discuss at least 3 key differences between HL7 V2 and V3. What are some benefits and drawbacks of each version? (~450 words, 0.8 points)
What is HL7 RIM? Discuss in detail the primary goals of RIM. (~250 words, 0.4 points)
What are CDAs/CCDAs? How does RIM play a role? (~250 words, 0.4 points)
Where did AI in Healthcare get its start? In your opinion, what does the future of AI in Healthcare hold? (~250 words, 0.4 points)

Be as specific as possible and use the lectures as a starting point in responding to these questions. Look for and cite applicable sources that provide support for your responses.

Citations:

Please use the APA format for citations. If you have additional questions on this, please post on Piazza.

Special Note:

The HL7 FHIR Interoperability Standard

Due: February 18, 2018 by 11:59PM UTC-12. Submit your essay as a PDF (“Essay 5 – <gt_username>.pdf” format) via Canvas.

Background

In lesson 8, you learned about origin and implementation of HL7 FHIR Interoperability standard. This essay provides you an opportunity to reflect on the impact of this standard.

Skills Required

Project Length

Essay should have no more than the maximum word count of 1200 words. We suggest ~1000 words. This essay must be single spaced, with 12-point font and submitted as a PDF. The word limit will be enforced — only the first 1200 words of your essay will be graded. Note: The questions require more of a short answer response than essay – just remember to cite appropriately, as though in an essay.

Essay Questions:

When FHIR was first under development, a series of key questions had to be asked and answered. What were some of them? And who are the stakeholders in an effort like this? Who was doing the asking? (~200 words, 0.6 points)
Describe Grahame’s philosophy in terms of key principles. Be sure to consider relationships to other concepts we have discussed so far. (~300 words, 0.8 points)
Briefly describe three different types of representations which may be used for FHIR resources. What are some considerations in choosing from among these different types of representations? (~200 words, 0.6 points)
Explain what absolute URIs are: What are they and what problem do they solve? And how does this concept relate to FHIR? (~200 words, 0.6)
What is the goal of the Argonaut project and why do you think it is important? (~100 words, 0.4 points)

Be as specific as possible and use the lectures as a starting point in responding to these questions. Look for and cite applicable sources that provide support for your responses.

Citations:

Please use the APA format for citations. If you have additional questions on this, please post on Piazza.

Special Note:

SMART – A Universal Health App Platform

Due: February 25, 2018 by 11:59PM UTC-12. Submit your essay as a PDF (“Essay 6 – <gt_username>.pdf” format) via Canvas.

Background

In lesson 9, you learned more about SMART – A Universal Health App Platform. This essay provides you an opportunity to reflect on the impact of this concept.

Skills Required

Proficient English reading, writing and research skills. Strong suggestion that you use the recommended reading for background and use short quotes from it as appropriate. Provide at least 4 references to back up your key points.

Project Length

Essay should have no more than the maximum word count of 1500 words. We suggest ~1200 words. This essay must be single spaced, with 12-point font and submitted as a PDF. The word limit will be enforced — only the first 1200 words of your essay will be graded. Note: The questions require more of a short answer response than essay – just remember to cite appropriately, as though in an essay.

Essay Questions:

What is SMART? Describe its origins and intended purpose in detail. (~200 words, 0.6 points)
Discuss OAuth2 and describe in detail the four roles OAuth2 defines. What is meant by CRUD?(~300 words, 0.7 points)
Briefly describe benefits of OpenID Connect and how it works. (~200 words, 0.6 points)
Briefly describe SMART backend services. (~150 words, 0.3 points)
Briefly describe the meaning of the term “Hook” related to computer programming. DescribeCDS Hooks. Give an example and list potential benefits. (~350 words, 0.8 points)

Be as specific as possible and use the lectures as a starting point in responding to these questions. Look for and cite applicable sources that provide support for your responses.

Citations:

Please use the APA format for citations. If you have additional questions on this, please post on Piazza.

Special Note:

Lesson 11 – Data Query in a Federated Environment

Lesson 12 – Big Data Meets Healthcare

Due: March 13, 2018 by 11:59PM UTC-12. Submit your essay as a PDF (“Essay 8 – <gt_username>.pdf” format) via Canvas.

Background

In lesson 11, you learned about “Data Query in a Federated Environment”.
In lesson 12, you learned about “Big Data Meets Healthcare”.
This essay provides you an opportunity to reflect on the impact of these concepts.

Skills Required

Project Length

Essay should have no more than the maximum word count of 1500 words. We suggest ~1200 words. This essay must be single spaced, with 12-point font and submitted as a PDF. The word limit will be enforced — only the first 1500 words of your essay will be graded. Note: The questions require more of a short answer response than essay – just remember to cite appropriately, as though in an essay.

Essay Questions

1. Compare and Contrast the terms Public Health and Population Health. (~300 words, 1.0 points)
  - Why are these terms considered interchangeable and sometimes difficult to distinguish?
  - What are some of the activities that are included in each?
  - Why are they important?
  - Why were these terms included in a course called Health Informatics?
2. Explain some of the problems behind performing big data analysis on Electronic Health Record (EHR) data. (~300 words, 1.0 points)

Define and Describe i2b2. (~300 words, 1.0 points)
- Provide example.
- List its benefits and challenges.
- Why is it important?
- Why was this included in a course called Health Informatics?
Personal Reflection: Will the migration from Paper Records to Digital Records increase the overall patient hospital experience? Provide insight and thought to your reasoning and explanation. (~300 words, 1.0 points)

** Examples should not be ones included in Lessons 11 or 12

Be as specific as possible and use the lectures as a starting point in responding to these questions. Look for and cite applicable sources that provide support for your responses.

Citations:

Please use the APA format for citations. If you have additional questions on this, please post on Piazza.

Special Note: