Workforce Competencies and Gap Analysis for Clinical Information Modelling in Australia

Opportunity

Australia’s national interoperability initiative, including the Australian Core Data for Interoperability (AUCDI) and the Sparked‑AU Program depend on a capable workforce with clinical information modelling (CIM) skills—a specialised discipline that transforms clinical knowledge into structured, consensus-driven data models. Yet in both Australia and overseas, this until-now niche workforce skill has been in short supply. Efforts to grow this workforce are just starting worldwide in recognition of the importance of robust, enduring, clinical information models.

Objectives

As a Founding Member of the Sparked Program, the DHCRC worked with RMIT to undertake a training gap analysis and review of workforce capability development for clinical information modelling in Australia.

The project aimed to:

• Assess where CIM‑related skills are currently being developed in Australia and internationally.
• Evaluate whether existing formal and informal training pathways can scale to meet national needs.
• Define role‑based competency requirements for CIM and clinical knowledge governance.
• Identify critical workforce and training gaps.
• Provide practical, evidence‑based recommendations to strengthen Australia’s CIM workforce.

Outcomes

The project delivered a comprehensive training needs analysis combining a global and Australian review of training programs with consultations involving 29 subject matter experts, identifying significant gaps in CIM‑specific education, particularly in areas such as openEHR‑based modelling, information modelling theory, and clinical knowledge governance.

The final report Workforce Competencies and Gap Analysis for Clinical Information Modelling in Australia: A Review of Workforce Capability, Training Gaps, and Pathways for building the Australian Clinical Information Modelling Ecosystem outlines a clear role‑based competency framework and 11 actionable recommendations. These will be considered by the DHCRC and the Sparked Program, but many will be of interest and relevance to academic and professional training organisations offering course content to existing or budding health informaticians.

Impact and Benefit

This project provides a starting point towards a national evidence base for CIM workforce planning in Australia. It supports policy‑makers and standards programs by linking workforce capability directly to the success of interoperability reform. For universities and training providers, it offers a roadmap for integrating CIM content into existing programs. For the health system, it strengthens the foundation for safe, interoperable, and clinically meaningful data sharing. Overall, the project reinforces the DHCRC’s role in enabling a sustainable workforce essential to Australia’s digital health future.