Bioinformatics or Health Informatics: Which Career Path is Right for You?

As technology becomes more intertwined with health care and the biological sciences, there is a growing need for more professionals equipped with the skills and knowledge to address public health challenges and advance research.

If you are interested in data, health, and technology, two career paths to explore are health informatics and bioinformatics. At first glance, these two fields may seem similar, but they serve different purposes. Choosing between the two can ultimately shape your education, skills, and career direction.

Keep reading to learn the differences between health informatics and bioinformatics, including educational pathways, skills gained, potential career paths, and more.

Defining Health Informatics

Health informatics, also known as medical informatics or biomedical informatics, is a field that combines health care, information science, and data analytics to enhance the delivery of health care and improve patient outcomes. Professionals in health informatics use several technologies in their day-to-day responsibilities to gather pertinent information.

Some of the common technologies used in health informatics include:

• Electronic health records (EHRs)

• Patient portals

• Telehealth systems

• Mobile health apps (mHealth)

• Artificial intelligence (AI)

• Clinical decision support systems (CDSS)

• Practice management software

• Knowledge management systems

• Master Patient Index (MPI)

• Laboratory information system (LIS)

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in health informatics, these are the types of degrees relevant in this field:

• Associate of health information technology or health informatics

• Bachelor of Science in health informatics or health information management

• Master of Science in biomedical informatics

• PhD in health informatics or biomedical informatics

• Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) with an informatics focus

These programs cover clinical informatics, health information technology, and health care data analytics.

There are several health informatics certifications you can add to your resume, including:

• Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)

• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

• AMIA Health Informatics Certification (AHIC)

• Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)

• Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS)

• Informatics Nursing Board Certification (NI-BC)

Defining Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses computer science, mathematics, physics, and biology to analyze complex biological data, particularly in genetics, genomics, proteomics, and molecular biology. It involves collecting, storing, analyzing, and interpreting biological data and information, particularly within large and complex datasets. Bioinformatics plays a crucial role in precision medicine, drug discovery, and disease research. There are several areas of bioinformatics, including clinical research informatics, translational bioinformatics, and public health informatics.

In contrast to health informatics, professionals in bioinformatics analyze DNA sequences, protein structures, and other molecular data to better understand biological processes and diseases.

There are a range of degrees available to study the field of bioinformatics, including:

• Associate of Applied Science in bioinformatics

• Bachelor of Science in bioinformatics

• Bachelor of Science in biology or molecular biology

• Bachelor of Science in computational biology

• Master of Science in bioinformatics

• Master of Science in data science or computer science

• PhD in bioinformatics or computational biology

• PhD in genomics, systems biology, or biostatistics.

A degree in bioinformatics can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities across various industries. A few notable careers in bioinformatics include:

• Biomedical data scientist

• Bioformatician

• Biostatistician

• Research scientist in pharmaceutical sciences or biomedical engineering

• Bioinformatics analyst

• Microbiologist

• Molecular biologist

• Wildlife biologist.

Professionals in bioinformatics can work in several settings, such as:

• Research laboratories

• Academic institutions

• Pharmaceutical companies

• Biotechnological firms

• Government agencies

• Health care organizations.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Although both health informatics and bioinformatics put a large focus on data, their goals, tools, and career paths are different. It’s important to understand the differences so you can take the right path toward your future career. Take a look at the comparison table below to see the key differences between these two fields and explore where your interests and strengths may best align.

Health informatics focuses more on improving the systems and delivery of health care, while bioinformatics leans more toward scientific discovery. Ultimately, your decision will lie in whether you want to address technological challenges in health care or explore biological research.

Educational Pathways

Depending on your background, academic goals, and career interests, you can pursue either field at the associate’s, bachelor's, master’s, or doctoral level. However, if you’re seeking those mid-level, high-paying careers, you may want to go for graduate-level education to develop the skills and knowledge to become a strong candidate for these roles.

Health informatics degree programs focus on how data analytics can help resolve health care problems. Courses cover topics like database management, information technology, and systems analysis. If you’re seeking graduate-level education, two notable degrees in health informatics include the master of health Informatics at the University of Michigan and the master’s in health informatics at the University of South Florida.

Bioinformatics leans more into computer science, biology, and statistics. Prospective students can expect to explore courses in genetics, bioinformatics, data engineering, and more. In contrast to health informatics, students in bioinformatics programs can expect to explore topics leaning more toward science and programming languages.

After looking at programs, you next want to consider whether you want to pursue in-person or online learning. In-person programs may provide more networking opportunities, access to labs, internships, and more personal relationships with teaching faculty or researchers. This can be beneficial if you seek a more immersive learning experience, especially in research-intensive fields like bioinformatics.

Online programs, on the other hand, provide flexibility for working professionals or people switching careers, often with asynchronous coursework, lectures, and virtual labs. Many schools now offer fully online health informatics and bioinformatics programs, particularly at the master’s level.

Career Opportunities and Salaries

Health informatics and bioinformatics both offer promising careers with strong projected growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the employment of health information technologists and medical registrars is projected to increase 16% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average.¹

Here’s a look at some more of the most common careers in health informatics.

• Clinical analyst:

As a clinical analyst, you’ll manage computer systems within a health care system to improve patient outcomes and workflows. Clinical analysts in the U.S. earn $93,433 per year on average.²

• Health informatics specialist:

This professional works with data specific to the health care system, such as patient medical records and other health information, to improve treatment approaches and health outcomes. The median salary for a health informatics specialist is $95,000.³

• Public health analyst:

Public health analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform decisions that address public health challenges. The median salary for this career is $76,557.⁴

BLS also reports that computer and information research scientists have a projected job growth of 26% from 2023 to 2033, which is also much higher than the national average for all occupations. 5

Below are some common occupations in bioinformatics.

• Biostatistician:

As a biostatistician, your day-to-day responsibilities can involve collecting and analyzing data from living organisms to make conclusions or predictions about public health issues. These professionals can earn a median salary of $119,702 per year.⁶

• Database administrator:

Database administrators design or organize database systems to store and secure various data types, such as health care information. These professionals can earn on average $123,100 per year.⁷

• Microbiologist:

These scientists study microorganisms to understand how they grow, live, and interact within their environments. They earn a median salary of $87,330.⁸

Skills Needed for Success

While both fields can lead to different careers, health informatics and bioinformatics have many shared skills, such as:

• Data analysis and interpretation

• Familiarity with databases and software tools

• Attention to detail and critical thinking

• Programming knowledge.

If you’re interested in health informatics, here are some skills that can help you succeed in this growing field.

• AI

• EHRs

• Health information management

If bioinformatics aligns more with your interests and career goals, here are the skills you’ll want to develop to be proficient in this field.

• Database management

• Machine learning

• Knowledge of computational biology

In most instances, you’ll build many of these skills while completing your degree. However, to make yourself a well-rounded professional, consider some of the previously mentioned certifications for both fields.

Even after you’ve graduated, you can pursue continuing education, such as online courses, workshops, or conferences, to stay current on the latest technology and industry trends.

Choosing the Right Path

If you aren’t sure if health informatics or bioinformatics is right for you, ask yourself the following questions to get some clarity.

• Do I prefer working with health care systems and improving patient care and outcomes, or diving deep into genetics and research?

• Do I have a health care and data management background, or are my strengths and interests more aligned with biomedical research?

• Am I comfortable learning programming languages like Python or R, or would I like to focus on digital health IT tools like HL7 or EHR systems?

Keep these questions in mind as you research programs to ensure you find one that aligns with your interests and future career goals.

If you’re switching careers, a good starting point is to identify what transferable skills you already possess. Have you worked with EHRs before? Are you familiar with machine learning tools? Consider your expertise and see if it aligns more closely with health informatics or bioinformatics.

FAQs

What’s the difference between health informatics and bioinformatics?

When it comes to health informatics vs bioinformatics, health informatics focuses more on clinical and patient data within health care systems, while bioinformatics deals with biological and genetic data that often contributes to the research and development of new treatments.

Do I need a biology degree for bioinformatics?

While a strong foundation in biology is beneficial, many schools will accept applicants with computer science, statistics, or data science degrees.

Is coding required for both fields?

Yes, to a certain degree. Health informatics may require knowledge of SQL or scripting for data analysis. In contrast, bioinformatics hones in on programming languages like Python and R.

What are common job titles in health informatics?

The most common careers for graduates of a health informatics degree include health informatics specialist, clinical informatics analyst, chief medical information officer, health care IT project manager, and nursing informatics specialist.

Conclusion

Health informatics and bioinformatics are both fields that are constantly evolving and need new talent to address challenges in health care and biological sciences. While both fields have a lot of overlap in data and technology, there are a few key differences you want to think about as you decide which one is right for you. Think about what interests you and the types of careers you want to pursue once you graduate. Maybe you’re more passionate about improving health care delivery and patient experiences. Or, perhaps you want to conduct research that leads to new biological discoveries.

Regardless of what path you take, know that there’s a meaningful, rewarding career path waiting for you when you cross that stage. In the meantime, take time to explore degree programs, attend webinars and open houses, and connect with current students or alums to find the field that aligns with your passions and skills.