Health Information Access and Management

This course provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how health literacy, technologies, and communication strategies are applied in health informatics and healthcare settings. It focuses on the needs of diverse health consumers, access to quality health information, health technologies, and ethical information handling. It also explores innovative tools to support health education and advance health outcomes across diverse populations. Students will learn to evaluate and use a variety of health information resources, respond to the barriers faced by health information seekers, and develop strategies to enhance health literacy. This course aligns with the Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) Core Competencies, preparing students for roles in healthcare management, health librarianship, public health, and information science.

Course Goals:
– Understand health information behaviors of diverse populations and how these impact healthcare decisions.
– Apply health literacy strategies and interventions to improve access to and understanding of health information.
– Learn to critically evaluate health information resources for quality, reliability, and relevance.
– Address health misinformation and support informed health decision-making.
– Assist in health-related technology usage, including navigating digital health tools and systems.
– Navigate ethical and legal issues, including privacy, discretion, and the librarians’ and other information and health professionals’ role in providing health information.

Resource URL: https://guides.library.fresnostate.edu/health-info-access-mgt

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

– Assess the health information needs of various user groups, including patients, caregivers, and health professionals.

– Evaluate and recommend high-quality, reliable health information resources.

– Apply effective health literacy strategies to diverse user groups, considering cultural and demographic factors.

– Identify misinformation in healthcare and provide resources to correct it.

– Assist users with technology-related health information needs, including searching databases and using health apps.

– Apply ethical principles to protect user privacy and maintain discretion when handling sensitive health information.

Agenda

This session is designed for students and professionals interested in healthcare, public health, library science, or information management, who want to enhance their understanding of health information access and health literacy. No prior knowledge is required, though familiarity with basic health concepts or information systems may be helpful. The course will equip participants with the skills needed to navigate and critically assess health information in diverse contexts.

MLA CE credits: 24