Following the announcement of the new partnership between CHIMA and Women in Communication and Technology (WCT), CHIMA facilitated a webinar for WCT members on health information and its impacts. This panel discussion featured three board directors from the Canadian College of Health Information Management and CHIMA: chair Monique Rasmussen, vice chair Patricia Visosky, and director Jennifer Bennett.

The panelists spoke about the importance of the role of health information professionals, including how their work contributes to the overall functioning of organizations and informs budgetary and policy decisions at various levels. They also discussed how the public is exposed to and affected by health data, and the critical role of health information professionals in overseeing the privacy and security of data in the health care space and beyond. 

Health data is unique because of how sensitive it is to an individual and how powerfully it can be used. There is an incredible opportunity for health-tech and med-tech organizations to introduce certified health information professionals to their teams to help ensure data is being used ethically, efficiently, and securely.

The webinar concluded with a question period, during which the panelists spoke to topics including the differences in data collection across provinces, the opportunities for health information professionals to incorporate informatics concepts into HIM departments, and advice for recent graduates seeking employment in sectors and industries where health information is handled.

To view a recording of the webinar, please visit the following link: vimeo.com/483717436

For more information about WCT, visit their website at wct-fct.com.