18/08/2025
HIAM Training Series: Database Basics for Health Information Management
Course Goal
To equip members with practical skills in building and managing simple health databases that can be applied in hospitals, clinics, and research.
Module 1: Introduction to Databases
What is a database?
Importance of databases in health information management.
Real-life applications in hospitals (patient records, disease tracking, inventory).
Module 2: Tools for Database Management
Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets (beginner-friendly).
Microsoft Access (intermediate).
Open-source options (DHIS2, MySQL – introduction only).
Module 3: Setting up a Simple Database
Creating tables for patient demographics (Name, Age, S*x, ID, Diagnosis, etc.).
Using data types (text, numbers, dates).
Setting unique identifiers (Patient ID).
Module 4: Data Entry & Validation
Correct methods of entering patient data.
Using drop-down menus and validation rules (to avoid errors).
Example: Restricting gender entry to Male/Female/Other.
Module 5: Organizing and Retrieving Data
Sorting and filtering patient records.
Searching for specific information.
Generating small reports (e.g., number of patients with malaria in July).
Module 6: Data Security & Confidentiality
Ethical handling of patient data.
Why confidentiality is important in HIM.
Simple ways to protect data (passwords, restricted access).
Practical Assignment
Each participant will:
Create a simple patient record database in Excel.
Enter at least 20 sample patients.
Generate one report (e.g., number of male vs female patients).
Share screenshot with the group.
Certification / Recognition
Digital certificate of participation.
Recognition posts on the HIAM page for active participants.
👉 After this training, the next course can be Data Analysis & Reporting for Health Information Management.
