Introduction to Informatics

Abstract

Clinical (medical) informatics involves the acquisition, storage, use, and management of health care-related data. Informatics in health care not only involves technology but also deals with personnel and the workflow processes impacted by the technology. Informatics applies many principles of computer and information science to clinical practice. It also relies heavily on business, people, and project management skills. Pathology informatics is the practice of informatics specific to pathology (or clinical laboratory) data for clinical service, education, and research. It is different from information technology (IT) and biomedical informatics (or bioinformatics). IT refers more to the technical aspects of this field related to computers, telecommunications (networking), and digital imaging equipment.