Education abstract
British Dental Journal 204, 259 - 264 (2008)
Published online: 8 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/bdj.2008.150
Subject Categories: Computers in dentistry | Dental education
Better informed: an overview of health informatics
P. A. Reynolds1, J. Harper2, A. M Jenner3 & S. Dunne4
- Gives definitions of healthcare informatics (HCI) and explains the significance and growth of this aspect of healthcare.
- Traces the historical development of HCI and suggests that the two major aspects of its usage are for health management and audit, and provision of clinical information and diagnostics.
- Describes recent developments in HCI, together with the plans for HCI in NHS dentistry.
Abstract
Healthcare informatics is increasing in importance both for healthcare administrators and medical and dental practitioners. Governments across the developed world are initiating major national health IT programmes. At the same time, future best medical and dental practice will increasingly depend on computer-based support tools, although disagreement remains about the effectiveness of current support tools. Over the longer term, future informatics tools, combined with other medical and dental technology modalities, promise more adaptive, patient-focused and efficient healthcare and education for the practitioner and the patient.
- Professor of Dental Education, Centre of Flexible Learning in Dentistry, King's College London Dental Institute, Floor 3, Strand Bridge House, 138-142 The Strand, London, WC2 1HH
- IT Manager, The Dental Institute at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' NHS Hospitals, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RW
- Visiting Professor, The University of Liverpool School of Dentistry, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5PS
- Professor of Primary Dental Care, The Dental Institute at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' NHS Hospitals, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RW
Correspondence to: P. A. Reynolds1 e-mail: p.a.reynolds@kcl.ac.uk