scholarly journals IMIA and its Members: On Balancing Continuity and Transition in Biomedical and Health Informatics

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (01) ◽  
pp. 01-06
Author(s):  
Peter L. Reichertz
Keyword(s):  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Global Partnership ◽  
Global Organization ◽  
The Right ◽  
Preparatory Work ◽  
Independent Organization

Summary Objective To report on major past (2008) and future (2009 and beyond) activities of IMIA, the International Medical Informatics Association. Method Summarizing discussions and planning activities within IMIA, in particular with respect to its Board and General Assembly meetings in 2008; looking at recent progress of biomedical and health informatics by commenting on IMIA Yearbook surveys and best paper selections. Results Major recent IMIA efforts include preparatory work for Medinfo 2010, global partnership activities in collaboration with WHO, planning activities for shifting to a biennial Medinfo cycle and setting up an IMIA office, all in accordance with IMIA’s longterm strategic plan ‘Towards IMIA 2015’. The IMIA Yearbook of Medical Informatics, published annually since 1992, can be regarded as an important observatory for progress in health and biomedical informatics. Future activities include conference events in 2009 and IMIA’s world congress, Medinfo 2010, finalizing a revision of IMIA’s recommendations on education in biomedical and health informatics, and publication activities to stimulate the transfer of knowledge from theory to practice Conclusions Since its inception in 1967, IMIA has evolved into a truly global organization, in a world where medical informatics has gained in significance and importance for supporting high-quality, efficient health care and for research in biomedicine and in the health sciences. Now in its 5th decade, IMIA’s responsibilities, as well as opportunities, as a global, independent organization have both increased. Finding the right balance between continuity and transition, in order to appropriately support, stimulate, and, to some extent enable high-quality translational communication, research, education, and practice in biomedical and health informatics is a key IMIA challenge.

scholarly journals International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (IAHSI): Strategy and Focus Areas, 1st Version

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (01) ◽  
pp. 015-025
Author(s):  
Fernando Martin-Sanchez ◽  
Marion J. Ball ◽  
Michio Kimura ◽  
Paula Otero ◽  
Elaine Huesing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Living Nature ◽  
International Academy ◽  
And Training

Background: The International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (IAHSI) is the Academy of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA). As an international forum for peers in biomedical and health informatics, the Academy shall play an important role in exchanging knowledge, providing education and training, and producing policy documents. Objectives: A major priority of the Academy’s activities in its inaugural phase was to define its strategy and focus areas in accordance with its objectives and to prioritize the Academy’s work, which can then be transferred to respective taskforces. Method: This document reflects the major outcomes of intensive discussions that occurred during 2019. It was presented at the Academy’s 3rd Plenary on August 25th, 2019, in Lyon, France. Results: Regardless of the ‘living nature’ of the strategy and focus areas document, it was concluded during the Plenary that the first version, which will be used as a base for decisions on the Academy’s future activities, should be made available to a broad audience. Three out of eight ‘Visions for IAHSI‘, presented in the IMIA Yearbook of Medical Informatics 2018, were identified as central for developing, implementing, and evaluating the Academy’s strategic directions: (1) advise governments and organizations on developing health and health sciences through informatics, (2) stimulate progress in biomedical and health informatics research, education, and practice, and (3) share and exchange knowledge. Taskforces shall be implemented to work in the following areas, which were considered as priority themes: (1) artificial intelligence in health: future collaboration of entities with natural and with artificial intelligence in health care, and (2) current landscape of standards for digital health. Conclusions: Taskforces are now being established. Besides specific key performance indicators, suggested for monitoring the work of theses taskforces, the strategy to monitor the progress of the Academy itself has to be measured by relevant and acceptable metrics.

scholarly journals Health Informatics: Building Capacity Worldwide. Editorial

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 06-07 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Kulikowski ◽  
Antoine Geissbuhler
Keyword(s):  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Building Capacity ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Main Research ◽  
The Past ◽  
Interdisciplinary Field ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Workforce Capacity

Summary Objectives: To provide an editorial introduction to the 2010 IMIA Yearbook of Medical Informatics with an overview of its contents and contributors. Methods: A brief overview of the main theme, and an outline of the purposes, contents, format, and acknowledgment of contributions for the 2010 IMIA Yearbook. Results: This 2010 issue of the IMIA Yearbook highlights important developments in the building of workforce capacity in medical informatics worldwide, covering activities in research, education and practice in this interdisciplinary field. Progress towards educating and keeping professionals in the field up-to-date is complemented by outreach to the wide range of disciplines and biomedical and health specialties that are covered by this very broad field, identified from the recent literature, illustrated by selected papers published during the past 12 months.xs Conclusion: Reviews and Surveys of the main research sub-fields in biomedical informatics in the Yearbook provide an overview of progress and current challenges across the spectrum of the discipline.

Modeling in Biomedical Informatics – An Exploratory Analysis (Part 1)

2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (06) ◽  
pp. 638-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hasman ◽  
R. Haux
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Electronic Patient Records ◽  
Knowledge Processing ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Processing Data ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Research And Education

Summary Objectives: Modeling is a significant part of research, education and practice in biomedical and health informatics. Our objective was to explore, which types of models of processes are used in current biomedical/ health informatics research, as reflected in publications of scientific journals in this field. Also the implications for medical informatics curricula were investigated. Methods: Retrospective, prolective observational study on recent publications of the two official journals of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA), the International Journal of Medical Informatics (IJMI) and Methods of Information in Medicine (MIM). Results: 384 publications have been analyzed, 190 of IJMI and 194 of MIM. In regular papers (69 in IJMI, 62 in MIM), analyzed here in part 1, all of these model types could be found. In many publications we observed a mixture of models, being used to solve the ‘core’ research questions and also to systematically evaluate the research done. Knowledge of (and models for) software engineering and project management are also often needed. IJMI seems to have a closer focus on research concerning health information systems and electronic patient records, with a strong emphasis on evaluation. MIM seems to have a broader range of research approaches, including also statistical modeling and computational intensive approaches. The aim to provide solutions for problems related to data, information and knowledge processing and to study the general principles of processing data, information and knowledge in medicine and health care in order to contribute to improve the quality of health care, and of research and education in medicine and the health sciences was given in all publications. Conclusions: Modeling continues to be a major task in research, education and practice in biomedical and health informatics. Knowledge and skills concerning a broad range of model types is needed.

Medical Informatics: A Key to the Future of Medicine and Health Care?

1995 ◽  
Vol 34 (05) ◽  
pp. 454-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Haux
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Research Education ◽  
The Future

Abstract:Commenting on the paper of Heathfield and Wyatt (The Road to Professionalism in Medical Informatics: A Proposal for Debate. Methods of Information in Medicine 1995) argued that Medical Informatics as a scientific discipline has reached a professional status. However, depending on the geographic location and the field of research, education or applications, requirements for further “professionalization” differ. It is proposed that Medical Informatics and Health Informatics should be regarded as one discipline and that Medical Informatics has to contribute to research, education and to the practice of health care in order to improve diagnostics, therapy and health care organization. The future of Medical Informatics is strongly dependent on health care professionals, who must be well-educated in medical informatics; these may be physicians, nurses, health care administrators, specialists in medical informatics, or others. There is still a continuing need for the systematic processing of data, information and knowledge in medicine and in health care. Also, due to its essentially cross-sectional nature encompassing most other disciplines in medicine and health sciences, Medical Informatics must be regarded as a key to the future of medicine and health care.

scholarly journals IMIA: The Global Informatics Perspective for Good Health

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinhold Haux ◽  
Peter Reichertz ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Clinical Informatics ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Group Activities ◽  
Future Demands ◽  
The Right

Summary Objective: To report on IMIA, the International Medical Informatics Association, and on what has been achieved in the period 2007-2010. Method: Summarizing IMIA’s activities, discussions and decisions, in particular with respect to its Board and General Assembly meetings; looking at recent progress of biomedical and health informatics through IMIA’s Yearbook. Results: Over the last three years, decisions have been made and steps have been initiated which will lead to significant changes for IMIA. In addition to its continuing activities in being involved (1) in organizing conferences, with Medinfo 2010 as this year’s highlight, (2) in publication, and (3) in working/special interest group activities, new steps were (4) extending IMIA’s conference portfolio, leading to a biennial Medinfo cycle from 2015 on, (5) launching the journal Applied Clinical Informatics as a bridge from informatics theory to applications, (6) endorsing and publishing White Papers, such as the revised IMIA recommendations on education, (7) strengthening ties with WHO, and (8) establishing the Middle East Association of Health Informatics (MEAHI) as an IMIA region in order to start formalising regional organization and health and biomedical informatics activities in the Middle East. Last, but not least, IMIA’s internal organization is being adapted in order to better meet future demands. Conclusions: Finding the right balance between continuity and transition, in order to appropriately support, stimulate, and, to some extent, enable high-quality translational communication, research, education, and practice in biomedical and health informatics continues to be a key challenge of IMIA.

scholarly journals IMIA: Coalescing Medical Informatics Worldwide for 40 Years

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. 176-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Kulikowski
Keyword(s):  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Health Care Research ◽  
Professional Organization ◽  
Time Line ◽  
Research Education ◽  
The Past ◽  
Full Participation ◽  
Working Groups

SummaryTo summarize and highlight the role of IMIA in the past 40 years in becoming the international professional organization that brings together researchers, practitioners, and educators in the field of medical informatics, and more broadly biomedical, nursing, and health informaticsOutlining developments of medical informatics related to IMIA from 1967 to 2007 in a time-line and comparative topic and geographical distribution analyses over selected MEDINFOs from 1980 and selected Yearbooks from 1992 onwards. This illustrates how IMIA, through the global reach of its activities, has helped advance the science and development of informatics across the entire spectrum of biomedical and health care research, education, and practice.The contribution of IMIA over the past 40 years has been to sponsor and coordinate international conferences and promote interchange and collaborations in biomedical and health informatics by linking national and regional societies, organizing meetings, high quality publications, and working groups. These have helped the coalescing of the discipline worldwide, promoting full participation and a broad interdisciplinary scope that fulfills the hopes of the pioneers in the field.

On IMIA‘s International Activities in Health and Biomedical Informatics Education

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (03) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Haux ◽  
P. J. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Biomedical Informatics ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The World ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
High Level

Summary Background: Education has long been, and continues to be, one of the major thematic areas of the activities of IMIA, the International Medical Informatics Association. Objective: To report on IMIA’s past activities and to discuss possible future perspectives on IMIA’s role on biomedical and health informatics education. Methods: Summarizing past activities by searching in reports and publications. Making suggestions for wider discussion on possible future activities. Results: Since its inception, IMIA has been active in the field of education, mainly through its working group on education. Among other activities, nine working conferences have been held, many of which have resulted in publications as outcomes, which have helped to exchange knowledge on the development of high-quality health and biomedical informatics education. Recommendations on education in health and medical informatics were endorsed by IMIA in 1999, and a revised version is currently in preparation. Conclusions: IMIA should continue to stimulate the exchange of knowledge on a range of aspects of health and biomedical informatics education in the countries and regions of the world, with IMIA’s academic institutional members playing an increasing role. Establishing procedures for the international accreditation of high-level programs in health and biomedical informatics through IMIA is one of several areas that need to be discussed as IMIA plans and develops its future activities.

Health Care in the Information Society: What Should Be the Role of Medical Informatics?1

2002 ◽  
Vol 41 (01) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Haux
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Information And Communication

Summary Objective: To discuss the consequences for medical informatics in encouraging and advancing the development of information processing methodology (IPM) and information and communication technology (ICT) to contribute to high-quality and efficient health care. Methods: Characterization of the current state of ICT, commenting on literature. Results and conclusions: Medical informatics is the discipline, concerned with the systematic processing of data, information, and knowledge in medicine and health care. Our societies are continuously being influenced by modern IPM and ICT. It can be expected that these developments, leading us into an “information society”, will continue. Three factors may significantly influence health care in the near future: the development of the population towards an aging society, progress in medicine, and progress in informatics. The major aims that will have to be achieved are the (1) patient-centered use of medical data, (2) process-integrated decision support, using high-quality medical knowledge, and (3) comprehensive use of patient data for clinical research and health reporting. Medical informatics research is needed on the electronic patient record, modern architectures for health information systems, and medical knowledge bases. In order to adequately pursue the goal of “transforming health care through innovative use of ICT for the 21st century”, health care professionals are needed, who are well-trained in medical informatics, respectively health informatics. Medical informatics must offer such educational programs and assure a sufficiently high quality of education.

Health Informatics: Handle with Caution

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
pp. 79-81
Author(s):  
V. Leroy ◽  
S. Maurice-Tison ◽  
B. Le Blanc ◽  
R. Salamon
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Data Management ◽  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Data Security ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
The Other ◽  
Inappropriate Use

Abstract:The increased use of computers is a response to the considerable growth in information in all fields of activities. Related to this, in the field of medicine a new component appeared about 40 years ago: Medical Informatics. Its goals are to assist health care professionals in the choice of data to manage and in the choice of applications of such data. These possibilities for data management must be well understood and, related to this, two major dangers must be emphasized. One concerns data security, and the other concerns the processing of these data. This paper discusses these items and warns of the inappropriate use of medical informatics.

Health and Medical Informatics Education

1994 ◽  
Vol 33 (03) ◽  
pp. 246-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Haux ◽  
F. J. Leven ◽  
J. R. Moehr ◽  
D. J. Protti
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Science Program ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Academic Degree ◽  
The University

Abstract:Health and medical informatics education has meanwhile gained considerable importance for medicine and for health care. Specialized programs in health/medical informatics have therefore been established within the last decades.This special issue of Methods of Information in Medicine contains papers on health and medical informatics education. It is mainly based on selected papers from the 5th Working Conference on Health/Medical Informatics Education of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA), which was held in September 1992 at the University of Heidelberg/Technical School Heilbronn, Germany, as part of the 20 years’ celebration of medical informatics education at Heidelberg/Heilbronn. Some papers were presented on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the health information science program of the School of Health Information Science at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Within this issue, programs in health/medical informatics are presented and analyzed: the medical informatics program at the University of Utah, the medical informatics program of the University of Heidelberg/School of Technology Heilbronn, the health information science program at the University of Victoria, the health informatics program at the University of Minnesota, the health informatics management program at the University of Manchester, and the health information management program at the University of Alabama. They all have in common that they are dedicated curricula in health/medical informatics which are university-based, leading to an academic degree in this field. In addition, views and recommendations for health/medical informatics education are presented. Finally, the question is discussed, whether health and medical informatics can be regarded as a separate discipline with the necessity for specialized curricula in this field.In accordance with the aims of IMIA, the intention of this special issue is to promote the further development of health and medical informatics education in order to contribute to high quality health care and medical research.

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