1The School of Health SciencesThe School of Health SciencesUniversiti Sains MalaysiaUniversiti Sains Malaysia

Lecture 1: Lecture 1: Introduction to Introduction to

Health Health InformaticsInformatics

Sharifah Mastura Syed Mohamad

sharifah@kck.usm.my

Ext.: 3823

2The School of Health SciencesThe School of Health Sciences

Universiti Sains MalaysiaUniversiti Sains Malaysia

Lecture 1: Objectives

1. Formulate a clear, practical definition of health informatics

2. Define information, ICT and health informatics literacy

3. Identify key literacy terms and components

4. Discuss the skill required for information literacy, computer literacy and HI literacy.

5. Apply HI literacy skills to health care setting.

3

Defining Health Informatics• Health Informatics is the science that uses

information to improve health care [1].• Health informatics is an interdisciplinary field that

applies technology and information to enhance health care delivery, support biomedical research, and foster education of health professionals and the public [2].

• HI is the study of how health data, information, and knowledge are collected, stored, processed, communicated, and used to support the process of health care delivery to clients and providers, administrators, and organizations involved in health care delivery.

4

Defining Informatics

Info

rmat

ion

ICT

Professional knowledge

Informatics as a crossroads where

information,

ICT,

knowledge and wisdom

meet.

5

Information literacy

“Information is data that have meaning. It can be presented in any medium (text, lists or graphics) in the manner that the end user prefers” [1]

http://www.kck.usm.my/pustaka/

Static information - info that remains the same after publication.

Dynamic information – info that always change to keep current.

Access and delivery methods library electronic.

6

Information literacy (cont.)

http://www.lib.csusb.edu/TIJ/

Cognitive skills • Concentration and Attention• Comprehension and Interpretation• Evaluation and Synthesis• Application and Analysis• Generalization and Abstraction

Critical thinking skills• negotiate the information jungle• identify the best resources• use the knowledge gained

7

Information literacy (cont.)

Ability to identify

an information need, locate

pertinent information, evaluate

the information, and apply

it correctly.

Practical 2: WWW, E-mail, E-Journals, Education Web Site

Develop need statementIdentifying termsSearch strategies

Identify resources

Credibility, AccuracyBias, CurrencyRelevancy, Usability

OrganizingManaging, using

8

ICT literacy

ICT Infrastructure: HW, SW, Storage and Network

ICT – Computer, communication and multimedia technologies that can be used to receive, process, store, display and disseminate information.

9

ICT literacy

Ability to acquire and apply a basic

understanding of current ICT hardware

systems and software applications to a

problem in a particular work or personal

setting.

Practical 3 – 12: OS, Word processing, Spreadsheet, Database, Presentation and Graphic

Com

puter

10

1. Foundation concepts concerning how technology works

2. Contemporary skills using computer applications

3. Intellectual ability to apply that knowledge and adapt to change through life long learning

Fluency with Information Technology (FITness [3])

11

Professional knowledge

Biomedicine Dietetics Nursing    Forensic Science   Medical Radiation    Exercise & Sports Science   

Audiology    Speech Pathology    Nutrition

Provide health care services results from education and experience.

12

Health informatics literacy

The application of information

literacy, ICT literacy, and the

professional knowledge during the

delivery of health care services.

Facilitate the delivery of efficient, cost effective, high-quality care.

Info

rmat

ion IC

T

Professional knowledge

13

People in HI

• Clinical – needs information that suitable in caring for patients

• Nonclinical (Educators, adminstrators, scientists) – need relevant data and information to perform their duties

• Information science – IT professionals use computing technologies to manage information within an organization fulfill need and requirements of other end users

HI involves people with diverse backgrounds and training:

14

Examples: Applications in basic research

Provide enormous opportunity to understand human body in ways not previously possible

Relied heavily on IT to sort and manage the data to map human genome

Ability to identify and treat human disease

Human Genome Project – Scientists used fundamental research methods and techniques to map the complete human genome

15

Examples: Applications on institutional level

Mobile access to clinical and medical information anywhere and anytime by using handheld computers such as Palm or Pocket PC devices

More information refer to www.mercurymd.com

16

More examples

Clinical decision support system – designed to help practitioners make informed patient care decisions based on both patient-specific information and the latest research findings.

Pharmacists – computerized order entry

17

Hospital Information System (HIS): - LIFELINE- Sistem Maklumat

Drug & Ubat-ubatan

Interface system for laboratory equipments & clinical :- Flowcytometer System- Chemistry Analyser System- Linear Accelerator System

Examples: Applications in HUSM

Lab. Info. Sys (LIS):- Pathology Online Report System

- Haematology LIS- Blood Transfusion LIS

18

Picture Archiving & Communication System (PACS)

CTScan Image Processing SystemRadiology PACS

Decission Support System (DSS) & Artificial Intelligence System (AI)- Pathology Diagnosis Support Sys.- Antibiotics Selection Sys.- Health Geographical Info. Sys.

Examples: Applications in HUSM

19

Homework – self evaluation

1. Draft your own definition of health informatics.2. Check with at least one online resources to

compare your understanding of the term with other published definitions on the internet.

3. Briefly describe the history of health informatics.

4. Describe a scenario demonstrating how you might apply health informatics literacy in your discipline.

5. List several ways that you will continue to develop health informatics literacy now and in the future.

20

HI resources

Sharifah Mastura Syed Mohamad PPSK, USM. Dec. 2006

21

References

[1] Hersh, WR. Medical Informatics: Improving health care through information. JAMA. 2002;288(16)

[2] Felkey GF, Fox BI and Thrower. Health Care Informatics: A skill-based resource. APhA, 2006:p.4.

[3] Englebardt & Nelson. Health Care Informatics: An Interdisciplinary approach. Mosby. 2006:p.41.