title: West Midlands Health Informatics Network: A Perspective on Education and Training Needs.
abstract: The growth of health informatics as a discipline has led to an increase in networks of people with similar interests for discussion, learning and sharing. Alongside these community networks, education and training are gaining interest, with more career opportunities and general public seeking information. This paper highlights the experience of the West Midlands Health Informatics Network and efforts in better understanding the educational and training needs of its members. The findings from the survey conducted reveal that while the interest in this field is high among network members, the awareness of opportunities for training and learning professionally as well as personally, remains low. The areas and levels of interest in the region should help support the creation and availability of resources.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG.
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Lim Choi Keung
authors.affiliation: Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG.
authors.forename: Bolanle
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ola
authors.affiliation: Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.affiliation: Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG.
authors.forename: Theodoros N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Arvanitis
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000193:education*; D011361:Professional Competence; D012952:Societies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom