Competency Framework

CHIA Competency Framework

The CHIA examination content is based on the Australian Health Informatics competency framework (AHICF) comprising of 53 health informatics competencies across 6 domains of expertise.

The competency framework was developed by academic leaders in health informatics following extensive research and comparative modelling of competencies from across the globe, with the first edition published in December 2013.

The second edition of competency framework published in February 2022 encompasses the dynamic nature of digital health, the challenges, and opportunities it presents.

Designed with a focus on the Australian healthcare system, the competencies framework is the backbone of CHIA, Australia’s industry certification for health informaticians.

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Domain A. Health Sciences

9 Competencies

Domain A. Health Sciences

Health informaticians interpret health science in order to communicate with stakeholders and contextualise their work. This includes understanding the structure and performance of health systems, population health, models of care, determinants of health, and core concepts underpinning healthcare.

Domain D. Leadership and Management

11 Competencies

Domain D. Leadership and Management

Health informaticians apply leadership and management principles to functions, projects, and programs. This includes governance, stakeholder engagement, information culture, value and benefits realisation, and the management of quality, risk, relationships, and change.

Domain B. Information Science

6 Competencies

Domain B. Information Science

Health informaticians apply information science to design, develop, capture, analyse, present, and preserve high quality data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. This includes the theory and practice of analytics, interpretation, and communication.

Domain E. Social and Behavioural Sciences

6 Competencies

Domain E. Social and Behavioural Sciences

Health informaticians apply social and behavioural science principles for evidence informed decision making. This includes legislative, regulatory, and policy frameworks, problem solving, sociotechnical systems, ethics, and human centred design.

Domain C. Information Technology

3 Competencies

Domain C. Information Technology

Health informaticians apply information technology concepts to ensure quality information and transaction processing. This includes system requirements, information system lifecycle, information and communications technology investments, and system security.

Domain F. Core Health Informatics Principles

18 Competencies

Domain F. Core Health Informatics Principles

Health informaticians select relevant core competencies for the management of healthcare data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. These competencies are built on the methods and findings from decades of scholarly research in the discipline.