Medical Illustration and Informatics

Overview of Medical Illustration and Informatics Programs

A medical illustration and informatics program combines two different elements of the medical industry to grant students many skills that will make them marketable to potential employers. Medical illustration is a field that teaches students to demonstrate medical concepts through visual imagery. Medical informatics is the study of methods to compile, store, and retrieve data for medical use. The medical illustration and informatics program combines these two skills for graduates.

Degrees in Medical Illustration and Informatics Programs

A degree in medical illustration and informatics can be earned at the Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degree levels. The Associate's degree requires approximately two years of study to finish while the Bachelor's degree needs four years or two more years after completing an Associate's degree. A Master's degree generally takes two years to finish and requires a Bachelor's degree as a prerequisite to entrance into the program.

How to Enroll in Medical Illustration and Informatics Programs

Students who wish to enroll in a medical illustration and informatics degree program can find a number of colleges and universities that teach the program. It is important to research your potential school and make sure it is accredited by a recognized agency. The program can be undertaken through a brick and mortar institution as well as an online college. Depending on students’ educational preferences (scheduling flexibility or student-teacher interaction), they can choose how to pursue their degree.
Curriculum for Medical Illustration and Informatics Programs
The curriculum for medical illustration and informatics teaches students many different concepts. Some of the classes taught include:

• Medical records
• Handling patient files
• Medical billing and coding
• Information science
• Graphics and multimedia
• Drawing
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Patient interaction
• Mechanics of motion

Skills Gained from Medical Illustration and Informatics Programs

Students that complete a program in medical illustration and informatics will learn a variety of skills. A sampling of these skills includes:

• Awareness of new discoveries and developments in the healthcare industry
• Artistic and aesthetic skills that allow you to capture realistic portrayals of various items
• Understanding of medical terminology that can be put to use outside of your job
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in a pleasant way
• Computer and information technology skills that allow you to branch off into other industries

Working in Medical Illustration and Informatics Careers

Medical illustration and informatics graduates can work in a variety of settings in the healthcare industry from hospitals and medical research laboratories to large private offices. The degree is also quite diverse in that graduates can find employment in database administration or computer programming positions outside the medical industry or as graphic designers and illustrators. Those who choose to work in medical illustration will often find themselves working freelance as they receive contracts for different illustration jobs. Medical informatics is a more steady profession and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical records and health information technicians earned an average wage of $30,610 in May 2008.