COACH Definition of Health Informatics

Health informatics (HI) is the intersection of clinical, IM/IT and management practices to achieve better health.

HI involves the application of information technology to facilitate the creation and use of health related data, information and knowledge. Health informatics enables and supports all aspects of safe, efficient and effective health services for all Canadians (e.g., planning, research, development, organization, provision, evolution of services, etc.).

HI professionals develop and deploy information and systems solutions, drawing on expert knowledge from fields such as computer science, information management, cognitive science, communications, epidemiology, management sciences and health sciences. Examples of HI applications include the design, development, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of:

communication protocols for the secure transmission of healthcare data
electronic patient record systems (regionally, provincially, territorially or nationally)
evidence-based clinical decision support systems
classification systems using standardized terminology and coding
case management systems (e.g., for community, home and long-term care)
access and referrals systems for healthcare services
patient monitoring systems (e.g., computer controlled bedside monitors and patient home monitoring devices)
digital imaging and image processing systems
telehealth technologies to facilitate and support remote diagnosis and treatment
internet technology for engaging patients in their own care
public health surveillance and protection systems
methodologies and applications for data analysis, management and mining
clinical information data warehouses and reporting systems
business, financial, support and logistics systems