Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical informatics is a branch of informatics that focuses on improving healthcare through the use of technology and data. It helps healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses use tools such as electronic health records (EHRs), medical apps, and digital devices to provide better, more efficient patient care. Clinical informaticists ensure that healthcare providers have accurate information at their fingertips, helping to improve patient safety, clinician workflows, treatment outcomes, and overall healthcare quality.

Physician informaticists are medical doctors who practice clinical informatics and use their medical knowledge along with technology to improve healthcare practices. They bridge the gap between medical staff and IT departments, helping design systems that make healthcare more efficient. By understanding both clinical workflows and the technical side of healthcare, physician informaticists play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery.  Clinical informatics fellows are physician informaticists in training.

A clinical informaticist plays a crucial role in integrating information technology into healthcare to improve patient care and operational efficiency. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the specific role and setting, but generally include supporting IT systems, data analysis and utilization, workflow optimization, clinical decision support, technology compliance and security, and patient engagement. Overall, a clinical informaticist bridges the gap between healthcare and technology, striving to enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care through effective use of information systems.

Bioinformatics and clinical informatics are both fields that involve the use of data and technology in healthcare and biology, but they focus on different aspects and have distinct goals. Bioinformatics primarily deals with the analysis and interpretation of biological data, particularly large-scale data from genomics, proteomics, and other molecular biology fields. Conversely, clinical informatics focuses on the management and use of information in clinical settings, including electronic health records (EHRs), decision support systems, and patient data management. While bioinformatics is more research-focused and deals with large-scale biological data, clinical informatics is centered around improving healthcare delivery and managing patient information.

A career in clinical informatics usually begins with a healthcare-related degree, including medical (MD or DO), pharmacologic (PharmD), or nursing (RN, NP, or CNS). Masters programs are offered in biomedical informatics across the country, but are not required. Additionally, other degrees in complementary fields (e.g. computer science, public health, or business) can also be helpful. For physicians, an ACGME-accredited fellowship for Clinical Informatics is available and can be pursued following completion of any residency specialty. Eligibility to be board certified in clinical informatics is currently possible either through the fellowship pathway or a clinical practice pathway, however the practice pathway will likely be closing soon.

A clinical informaticist can work in various roles, including optimizing EHRs and health IT systems as a Clinical Informatics Specialist, managing IT projects as a Health IT Project Manager, and developing clinical decision support tools as a Clinical Decision Support Analyst. They might also consult on IT system improvements as a Health Informatics Consultant, focus on EHR implementation as an EHR Implementation Specialist, or analyze clinical data for quality improvement as a Clinical Data Analyst. Leadership roles like Health Informatics Director/Manager or CIO/CMIO involve overseeing IT strategies and aligning them with clinical goals. Other roles include improving clinical systems as a Clinical Systems Analyst, enhancing patient engagement through technology as a Patient Experience Specialist, managing research data as a Research Informatics Specialist, and ensuring data accuracy and security as a Health Information Manager. They might also educate others on informatics principles, manage health information exchanges, or coordinate telemedicine programs. Learn more about what past Clinical Informatics Fellows have gone on to do here!

Preference for each term varies regionally. The term "informaticist" is generally preferred over "informatician" in the field of health informatics. "Informaticist" is more commonly used in professional and academic contexts to describe individuals specializing in informatics.