Computer science might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think about the healthcare industry, but it’s an increasingly important component of effective patient care and information. In fact, the importance of computer science to the healthcare industry has been emphasized by President Obama himself, on numerous occasions and in several different areas of care delivery and patient communication. Those students about to graduate with a degree in this area, who have a strong interest in effective patient care, should consider putting their skills to use in a way that can benefit both providers and patients alike.
How Does Computer Science Affect Healthcare?
It might not be obvious at first, but computer science is actual the single most important aspect of modern healthcare delivery. The use of effective computer systems makes for a more efficient and productive care environment, which provides numerous benefits to patients and coincides with several federal laws. Here’s a look at how computer science graduates are moving the broader healthcare industry forward:
– Patient Records Digitization and Storage
Computer science graduates are often responsible for overseeing the process of digitizing patient records. This has been ongoing since at least 2009, when records digitization was made a top priority by the economic stimulus package passed into law by Congress. While medical coders often take care of turning the written word into a digital record, computer science graduates are often the ones responsible for managing the security of those records, deploying software systems that make records accessible to patients, and ensuring the viability of hospital servers when providing this information to patients on a regular basis.
– Hospital Systems Deployment and Administration
In addition to working on the hardware and software that serves patients, computer science graduates often create custom applications that help the hospital track everything from patient outcomes to finances and broader accounting requirements. They’ll also work to enhance the hospital’s digital security and implement new initiatives that make for better, faster software across the board. Computer science graduates may also find themselves training new hires in software systems or attending technology conventions and bringing new programs back to the hospital for wide ranging deployment.
– Healthcare Exchange Maintenance and Implementation
In the public sector, computer science graduates can have a pretty major impact on the course of the industry simply by working on new or existing healthcare exchanges. These exchanges, established by both the federal government and dozens of individual states, allow patients to shop for health insurance that meets the individual mandate passed as part of the Affordable Care Act. Given the massive problems with the federal government’s HealthCare.Gov website, these positions are in high demand. That’s especially true if the computer science graduate chose a concentration in web development.
From the Public Sector to Big Hospitals and Small Clinics, Jobs Abound
Computer science is one of the fastest-growing trades in the United States, and it’s a central focus of the healthcare industry as it seeks to become more efficient and reduce overall costs. The Affordable Care Act mandates such improvements in efficiency, and today’s computer science graduates are primed to be one of the best ways for hospitals and clinics to provide real results. With a bevy of public sector jobs also available, those with a four-year degree in this area will find plenty of ways to use it in conjunction with healthcare delivery and backend systems.
Related Resource: What is a Systems Developer?
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