Clinical informatics

Clinical informatics is the study of information systems (computers and programs) used in the clinical practice of medicine. Thus clinical informatics brings in the understanding and integration of information technology into healthcare. This supports the business objectives of clinicians in healthcare industries.

The following examples demonstrate a few aspects of the field:

Data Entry:  The hospital nurse uses a (point-of-care) device to measure the patient's temperature, which then automatically transmits the reading (information) to the patient's electronic health record database.

Telemedicine:  The pathologist in a faraway city hospital can review the unusual clinical signs and symptoms exhibited by a person at a remote, rural location without handling the slides physically.

Imaging:  Newer CT scanners incorporate new software algorithms that allow for 3D reconstruction of vital structures.

Data Display: Vital signs can be highlighted if deviating from the normal. Mean or median values can be graphed with the raw numbers over time to simplify clinician- review.

Decision Support:   Immediate feedback at the time of order entry about drug-drug interactions or patient’s allergies has been shown to reduce both patient morbidity and healthcare costs.

Clinical Trials: Clinical informatics is based on results of clinical trials. The clinical trial process, in turn, depends on the kind of trial being conducted. For example, treatments, diagnostics, screening trials are all processes by which clinical data and information are obtained. Clinical trials are conducted in phases. The trials at each phase have a different purpose and help scientists answer different questions. For example:

In Phase I trials, researchers test an experimental drug or treatment on a small group of people (20-80) for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects, if any.
In Phase II trials, the experimental study drug/ treatment is administered to a larger group of people (100-300) to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
In Phase III trials, the experimental study drug/ treatment is administered to yet larger groups of people (1,000-3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.
In Phase IV trials, post marketing studies delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use.

Web Servers/Databases/Mirror Sites:

We are collecting and launching following Database and web server useful for clinical informatics.

R-Package

Web Interface on Libraries:

There are number of libraries (e.g. R, Bioconductor, Biojava) which provides number of tools. Though these libraries are powerful but one need expertise in computer. Development of web interfaces over these libraries are going on in order to provide service to users who have little or no knowledge of computer.

Standalone Software:

Links:

This section provides important links