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Components of Healthcare Informatics

Healthcare informatics is a broad-based, interdisciplinary career field that seeks to incorporate administration, communication, computer technology and electronic technology with medical science in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services to the patient. The American Health Information Management Association maintains a list of educational institutions that provide accredited programs leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees in informatics-related fields.

  1. Health Information Technology

    • Health information technology (HIT) is an important component of healthcare informatics. This component provides for the efficient and secure sharing of medical information among patients, healthcare providers, insurers and others who have a legitimate interest in the patient's health, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HIT can help to improve patient care by providing physicians and other professionals with timely, accurate and complete medical records. This information can reduce or eliminate redundancy of testing, help avoid adverse drug reactions, improve the likelihood of early diagnosis and improve the quality of decision-making by both the healthcare provider and the patient, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    Health Information Administration

    • Health information administration involves the combination of business administration with computer technology and medical record-keeping. This component of healthcare informatics involves a broad and diversified range of studies, including accounting, statistical analysis, technical communications, basic medical terminology, medical coding, ethics and legal issues, according to the Dakota State University's Health Information Administration degree program. Health information administrators are frequently involved with the collection, collation, categorization and maintenance of health records, including both medical and financial data. Health information administration may involve clinical record-keeping, patient data management and analysis, health information service, insurance analysis, medical coding and compliance.

    Clinical Informatics

    • The clinical component of healthcare informatics seeks to merge technical, research and medical skills with computer science in order to facilitate the use of computer technology in solving healthcare problems. Individuals involved in clinical informatics are able to apply their experience in biomedical informatics to other healthcare domains. They are also able to apply their skills in computer problem-solving to medical issues. According to the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology at Oregon Health & Science University, these healthcare professionals should be proficient in computer programming as well as human anatomy. This component is typically made up of healthcare professionals who are trained and proficient in information technology, and information technology professionals who are interested in healthcare management and administration.

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