Medical Informaticians’ Skills and Competencies to Achieve Roles and Opportunities: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

For Medical Informatics graduates, there is no compatibility between the training knowledge and skills at universities and the job requirements. This study aimed to determine the skills and competencies requirements for medical informatics graduates and possible job positions in an emerging discipline. This qualitative study was conducted using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Nine independent medical informatics professionals assessed the initial draft of this tool to determine its face and content validity, and reliability. The questionnaire was distributed among 80 medical informaticians with a doctorate or a master’s degree. In this study, items with an average of 4 and higher were confirmed; out of the 78 items, 66 were approved. The highest number of unapproved items was related to managerial knowledge and skills. Research knowledge, training skills, individual skills, technical capacities, specific skills in the health industry, and managerial skills are the main areas that graduates must learn. This survey can help develop a curriculum and job descriptions for medical informatics.