The HIM profession and roles:Understanding our path, to plan for the future

The health information management (HIM) profession has a history spanning more than a century, with the first peak body established in Australia more than 75 years ago (Health Information Management Association of Australia [HIMAA], 2024a). While the role title of the health information manager has changed over time, its primary function has remained the same—tooversee the governance of health data and information. This chapter presents the history of the HIM profession and professional bodies, including their involvement in informing policy and systems in Australia and other countries, and international organisations. Next, the chapter draws on literature examining the roles of HIM professionals in Australia and other countries, much of which has been published by this authorship team. Lastly, the chapter explores the future of the profession and roles for the health information manager, including emerging roles and the evolution required of the profession in the evolving digital landscape. The chapter concludes with activities that allow the reader to test their knowledge of the topics covered in this chapter.