The Introduction to Informatics online learning programme will be funded by NHS England to support the development of foundational skills in informatics for the 14 Allied Health Professions (AHP’s) working across all health and social care settings across the UK.
Within this programme, multidisciplinary team case studies are to be created to identify the application of key informatics principles in practice and supporting self-completed reflective activities will be developed to promote active learning. This programme, and all supporting documents will be available to all AHP’s across the UK, irrespective of their workplace setting, profession, geographical location, and work experience.
Initially designed by the CSP as a program of informatics education as part of the PHIS, this course of online modules to enable members will develop foundation level informatics knowledge and skills and offer signposting to further resources.
On the instruction of the CSP, it was developed by Keele University in in collaboration with education and informatics experts from the UK physiotherapy profession including review by representatives from 12 of the other 14 AHP professions.
It comprises 4 modules made up of small learning bites that the learner can navigate at their own time, around their existing commitments, in the order best suited to their current interest or the challenges they are encountering in their service.
Programme modules
| Module | Bite title |
| Introduction | 1.1 Introduction to the course |
| 1.1 Introduction to the platform | |
| 1.2 Introduction to health informatics | |
| Reflection module 1 | |
| Data | 2.1 What is health data? |
| 2.2 How should I collect data? | |
| 2.3 How should I store data? (GDPR) | |
| 2.4 How should I analyse my data? | |
| 2.5 How can I use my data? | |
| 2.6 Who should I share my data with? | |
| 2.7 What difference can my data make? | |
| Reflection module 2 | |
| Digital Service Delivery | 3.1 How do I make sure I have the right equipment? |
| 3.2 How do I make sure I have the right software / applications? | |
| 3.3 What is system interoperability? | |
| 3.4 How do I make my service inclusive? | |
| 3.5 How do I make sure I have the right skills? | |
| 3.6 How do I measure performance of my team/service? | |
| 3.7 How do I co-design improved services with users and other stakeholders? | |
| 3.8 How do I measure satisfaction with my digital service? | |
| Reflection module 3 | |
| Improvement and innovation | 4.1 How do I use informatics to support quality improvement? |
| 4.2 How do I use informatics to support research? | |
| 4.3 How do I share results and use informatics for influencing? | |
| 4.4 How do I use informatics to innovate within my service? | |
| 4.5 How do I use informatics to support change in my practice? | |
| 4.6 How do I future proof my service's informatics needs? | |
| Reflection module 4 | |
| Reflection totality |
Learning objectives, originally set for the physiotherapy modules were adapted by the CSP for a multi-profession audience. In May 2023, NHS England commissioned the CSP to develop an online learning course as an introduction to informatics for all AHPs. A design phase of the project will follow, and we hope the finished product will be live for summer 2025.
At present there are no readily available resources to support AHPs in their foundation level informatics knowledge and skills. There are resources to support those already invested in their informatics journey. This project aims to raise the lower bar of informatics knowledge in UK AHPs while also providing the launchpad for those interested in exploring an AHP informatics career.