Honours Projects for 2006

Projects offered by Dr. Khin Than Win

EHRs have different functionalities which include storage of health information and data, results management, order entry and management, decision support, electronic communication and connectivity, patient support, administrative processes and reporting and population management (IOM 2003). Therefore, it can be seen that impaired integrity of EHRs can have undesirable outcomes in any of the functions involved. There is evidence that a breach of security has an impact on patient health care. Issues of confidentiality and abuse of data cause many health care providers to oppose the coordination of medical databases despite the potential benefits (Gaithersburg 2000). Therefore, information security of EHRs is an important issue.
(Khin Than Win(2005), A review of security of EHRs, Health Information Management Journal, vol. 34, is. 1, pp.13-18)

Information Security of Electronic Health Record System (both CS and IACT)

1. Securing personal health information through biometrics
2. International perspectives on information security of electronic health record systems
3. Securing health information through credential based systems

Adoption of Electronic Health Record systems promises better quality and efficiency of healthcare through cost effective electronic information about an individual’s health, immediate access to personal and population records and through computerised decision support systems that are embedded into EHR systems (CDSPS 2003). EHRs have been encouraged to use and starting to use in healthcare institutions around the world since 1960s, early 1970. In current state there are more developments of Personal health record systems in healthcare institutions throughout the world as healthcare focus has been changed from healthcare providers’ paternalistic approach to the consumer based approach. PHRs need to ensure security, privacy and confidentiality of the data so that PHRs could build consumer trust.
(Win. K.T (2006), Web based personal health record systems evaluation, International Journal of Healthcare technology Management”, vol.7, is.3/4, pp 208-217)

Personal health record system

1. Personal Health Record System: essential for consumers and healthcare providers
2. Information Security of Personal Health Record System

Anywhere, anytime access to mobile data and messages is essential in healthcare environment as patients and healthcare providers are mobile. Mobile and wireless devices can assist in ensuring patient’s safety by providing easy availability of the data at the point of care. Portability and accessibility of these devices enhances use of them in healthcare environment. However, data integrity and confidentiality of information in them need to be ensured to provide safe, effective and efficient healthcare. (Win, Susilo 2006)

Mobile communication in healthcare
1. use of mobile devices for health education
2. use of mobile devices in healthcare

Safety and quality of health information

Patient safety is an important issue in patient care process. Evidence based medicine and evidence based informatics have been the current trend in health informatics with emphasizing safety and quality of healthcare. Health information availability to healthcare providers and consumers is very important. Consumer oriented information discovery is important. In healthcare domain, inaccurate or error in information can have tremendous impact on person’s health and it is important that the information available is high quality information.

This is a very broad area and there can be many topics to research. Students will need to discuss with the supervisor to define the scope of the project.


1. Analysing safety requirements of electronic health record system
2. Information quality of health information on the web
3. Information quality: importnat for safety of electronic health record systems

For more information please contact Win