Medical Informatics

Definition

The field of information science concerned with the analysis, use and dissemination of medical data and information through the application of computers to various aspects of health care and medicine (MeSH).

Discussion

"Medical informatics attempts to provide the theoretical and scientific basis for the application of computer and automated information systems to biomedicine and health affairs . . . medical informatics studies biomedical information, data, and knowledge - their storage, retrieval, and optimal use for problem-solving and decision-making" (Lindberg, D.A.B., NLM Long Range Plan. Report of the Board of Regents, 1987, p. 31).

This category includes consumer health informatics, dental informatics, nursing informatics, and all other applications of computers to health.

Scope and emphasis

Collected comprehensively.