title: An interdisciplinary online course in health care informatics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To design an interdisciplinary course in health care informatics that enables students to: (1) understand how to incorporate technology into the provision of safe, effective and evidence-based health care; (2) make decisions about the value and ethical application of specific technologies; and (3) appreciate the perspectives and roles of patients and providers when using technology in care.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online, interdisciplinary elective course using a distributive learning model was created. Standard courseware was used to manage teaching and to facilitate student/instructor interactions. Interactive, multimedia lectures were developed using Internet communication software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Upon completion of the course, students demonstrated competency in identifying, analyzing, and applying informatics appropriately in diverse health settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Online education using multimedia software technology is effective in teaching students about health informatics and providing an innovative opportunity for interdisciplinary learning. In light of the growing need for efficient health care informatics training, additional study of this methodology is warranted.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. tina.brock@pharmacy.ac.uk
authors.forename: Tina Penick
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Brock
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D009657:North Carolina; D009862:Online Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy / Q000458:organization & administration*