Medical informatics is a new and evolving field that is quickly becoming an integral part of patient care. It is a multi-disciplined approach to the management of medical knowledge and information. The broad scope of medical informatics includes research, education, and service in health-related basic sciences, clinical disciplines, and health care administration. It is grounded in the principles of computer science, information science, cognitive science, social science, and engineering, as well as the clinical and basic sciences.

The term “medical informatics” was coined over thirty years ago, much before the prevalence of computer information systems was common. Information management is a major component of medicine, and historically it is the foundation of proper clinical care. With the broadening scope of information systems and the emergence of computer applications in health care, the information that has always been amassed as part of patient care can finally be harnessed to its full potential. With electronic health records, patient databases, and clinical practice systems, efficiency and productivity have the potential to reach new heights.

The significant need for integration of proper information management is becoming known by the larger health care community. The National Health Information Infrastructure and the National Institutes of Health Roadmap are important efforts by official organizations to lay out a detailed plan of where progress needs to be made. Along with these, the Office of the National Health Information Technology Coordinator has been created. This is a good step on the government's part to establish a strong focus on medical informatics.

Digitalization of health care records in a primary care setting is happening on a consistent basis. With an electronic health record, communication via email, electronic transmission of study results, and a record of all doctor-patient interaction, doctor's offices throughout the country are making the switch with very positive results.

Medical error has received a lot of attention lately. It is a problem that affects every field of health care. There is increasing awareness that information technology has the potential to decrease medical error significantly. In fact, new studies show decreased medical error amongst orders, prescriptions, lab findings, and study results in direct comparisons between traditional and computer-based systems.

One of the most significant areas of concern with the implementation of information systems in health care is the cost. In recent studies it has been shown that electronic health records for one have significant positive return on investment. The problem lies in whether the people who are paying for the implementation are actually benefiting financially. One study showed that in private doctors' offices that have spent the money to convert to electronic office practices, they only see 11% of the return.

Other concerns for medical informatics include the security of the information, compatibility between systems and the ability to exchange data, and the need for professionals with both a computer and medical background. These are all valid issues that must be addressed. Health care information systems are vulnerable to the same hazards as all computer systems. There is the potential for system crashes and the pervasiveness of viruses. Originally run solely by IT professionals without health care experience, medical informatics is now drawing health care professionals with computer experience as well.

Privacy of information is a very important aspect of medical informatics. Patient data should be kept confidential. With the availability of patient information on the networks of hospital systems is the concern that hackers and intruders would be able to access private information. This is a legitimate concern, but it is a concern with paper records as well. In fact, a recent report by the Institute of Medicine showed that paper records are probably more insecure than their electronic counterparts.

Patients themselves play an important role in the implementation of health care information systems. Already accessing web databases on health issues and emailing their physicians, patients are ready to be able to play a more integral part of their care. Systems are already in place in which patients have access to their lab and study results as much as their health care providers. It is a common belief that when exposed to all the variability of study results without the background needed to interpret them properly, patients may be put under excess stress or may have greater concern than necessary. But new evidence is showing that patients are capable of properly understanding results if directed to legitimate information sources, and overall are happier with the quality of their health care.

Medical informatics has the potential to transform medicine for the better. Information systems are a vital aspect of the infrastructure of almost all modern fields. With all of the scientific progress and the realization of new levels of sophisticated patient care and disease management, the need for proper electronic information standards is becoming more apparent. With the spiraling costs of health care, a national and eventually global health care information management system is what is necessary to organize health care and reduce costs in the long run. Physicians with informatics backgrounds will be the leaders in these very important efforts. Required will be the help of health information managers, health care data technicians, and information technology professionals with experience in other fields where similar efforts have taken place. When all of these individuals are brought to work together in a coordinated effort, health care can be modernized and prepared for the future.

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