Summary
Objectives:
Since 1972, the University of Heidelberg and the University of Applied Sciences Heilbronn
have jointly been running a medical informatics program. To continuously provide high
quality education, the curriculum is regularly evaluated among its graduates. The
objectives of this study were to assess the job situation of the graduates and to
evaluate the curriculum from their viewpoint.
Method:
Anonymous inquiry of all medical informatics graduates, having finished their studies
before March 31, 2001 (n = 1024) using a structured questionnaire.
Results:
The questionnaire was answered by 446 (compliance: 45.5%) graduates. About one third
(146 of 444 valid cases) are working in software/ hardware companies. 179 (43.0% of
416 valid cases) graduates are working within medical informatics, 214 (51.4%) are
working outside of medical informatics, but within other informatics. 23 (5.5%) graduates
are working neither in medical nor in other informatics. 15 percent of the responding
graduates have received a doctor’s degree. Software engineering, database and information
systems are regarded as most important parts of the education. The majority of the
graduates are satisfied with their education as well as with their personal career.
Conclusions:
The variety of jobs, the job profiles, and the high level of our graduates’ satisfaction
with their education indicate the relevance of specialized medical informatics programs
with a curricular profile like the one in Heidelberg/Heilbronn. Investigations like
this can help to adjust the contents of the curriculum to professional needs.
Keywords
Medical informatics - health informatics - education
