Informatics in Healthcare
Healthcare Informatics sometimes referred to as health information systems, uses information technology to collect medical data, organize, store, retrieve, and apply medical concepts to foster a better relationship between patients and clinicians with the aim of providing better healthcare. Healthcare informatics has changed the face of healthcare completely. The technology allows different players in the healthcare environment, including patients, clinicians, nurses, and healthcare administrators, to access electronic records for different purposes.
Healthcare informatics has replaced paper-based systems with electronic records, a portal where all patients’ medical data, training materials, and any other data involving healthcare are stored. The systems also ensure the transmission of information between various parties, which eliminates errors and duplicate records. When used properly, healthcare informatics can improve patient participation, efficiency in operations, and ultimately improve patients’ outcomes. The main goal of health informatics is to utilize the analyzed data to improve patient care, improve the general population’s health, and deliver care cost-effective healthcare.
Healthcare informatics can be classified into;
- Clinical informatics. Clinical informatics is used directly by physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in the process of delivering care to their patients. By analyzing medical data and images, physicians acquire the information they need to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
- Public health informatics. Public health informatics is focused on improving the health of the general population. Public administration utilizes the technology in disease surveillance, prevention, and health education. The information is also used to make data-driven decisions regarding public policies and programs involving disease prevention and management for a healthier society.
- Nursing health informatics. Nursing is one of the fields I healthcare that has significantly benefited from health informatics. Nursing health informatics integrates nursing science with multiple health information technology systems to collect, manage, communicate information and knowledge within the healthcare environment. Similar to clinical informatics, nursing informatics’s primary role is to support nurses in their practice and improve their ability to provide efficient and quality patient care.
While it is a relatively new technology, health informatics has already revolutionized health in many ways. The impacts have been felt across all fields, including clinical care, health management, disease prevention, and policymaking. This rapidly growing technology has also opened a new career path for individuals who wish to become health informatics experts. Various colleges and universities are now providing courses in healthcare informatics at different levels. As the field continues to grow and expand, users are also expected to learn and acquaint themselves with this amazing technology.
