The Current and Future Occupational Opportunities for Health Information Technology Graduates: Problems and Requirements

Health information technology (HIT) experts can work in any position that requires knowledge related to HIT. The aim of this study was to identify current and future occupational opportunities for HIT graduates and appropriate strategies to increase it.
This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of graduates in medical records (109 people) and HIT (30 individuals) working in hospitals in Tabriz, Iran, and all managers of the related centers (40 individuals). Data were collected using two researcher-made questionnaires through interviews. The reliability of data was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.85(. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Most HIT experts were working in the medical records department of hospitals. The most preferred job positions among HIT graduates were in research centers (60.2%) and health insurance (66.6%). Non-hospital managers believed (40%) that the main reason for graduates’ lack of employment in organizations was the unfamiliarity of relevant organizations with graduates’ abilities.
Introducing HIT graduates’ scientific and practical abilities to society seems to be an essential measure. Accountability to the information needs of health and non-health environments requires a suitable balance between theoretical and practical courses.