Clinical informatics is the study of information technology and how it can be applied to the healthcare field. It includes the study and practice of an information-based approach to healthcare delivery in which data must be structured in a certain way to be effectively retrieved and used in a report or evaluation. Clinical informatics can be applied in a range of healthcare settings including hospital, physician’s practice, military and others.
Providers in today’s healthcare industry increasingly rely on data and technology to provide treatments for patients.
Physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, rehab therapists, assistants and a host of others collect and share data to formulate and implement a treatment plan for a patient. Along the way, they use the latest in technological equipment, computers, software, tablets, smartphones and even apps to gather and distribute information. All of this information must be collected, stored, interpreted, analyzed and implemented into a treatment plan.
A clinical informaticist may serve in a multitude of roles, depending on the size of the healthcare setting. Typically, these professionals evaluate the existing information systems and recommend improvements to functionality. Clinical informaticists may study a data entry or visual image storage system or interact with those who need access to records. They may train staff on system use, build interfaces, troubleshoot software and hardware issues, and work across multiple departments to integrate the sharing of information. They document and report their findings and work to implement improvements. The ultimate goal is to manage the costs while improving patient outcomes.