CENG 595

Course Objectives:

Medical informatics is the application of computers, communications, information technology and systems to all fields of medicine:

medical care

medical education

medical research.

This course presents an overview of medical informatics and its main applications.

Textbook:

Handbook of Medical Informatics,
J.H. van Bemmel and M.A. Musen,
Springer-Verlag, 1997. HMI , ISBN: 3540633510
(www.mihandbook.stanford.edu)

Topics

Chapter 1: Data and Information

The objective of this chapter is to help the readers from different disciplines to build up an overall view about the concept of medical informatics. Throughout the lecture notes, definitions of the term and the scope of medical informatics are introduced. After a brief history of the advances and developments in this field, some basic knowledge about the subjects and applications of medical informatics are provided. Finally, explanations and some examples about systematization of computer applications in health care are given.

Chapter 2: Data from Patients

Objective of this chapter is to provide terminology standards for healthcare and introduce coding and classification concepts. Also, some examples to classification systems are briefly explained.

Chapter 3: Electronic Medical Record

Objective of this chapter is to explain electronic medical record concept and its evolution toward electronic health records.

Chapter 4: Biosignal Analysis and Medical Imaging

The objective is to give an introduction to biosignal analysis and some of the medical imaging techniques. After a brief description of what a biosignal is, why they are crucial in medical studies, and what are the major stages in their processing and analysis, some medical imaging techniques such as ultrasonic scans, X-ray imaging, CT, MRI, SPECT and PET are simply explained.

Chapter 5: Patient-Centered Information Systems

This chapter's content collects information about clinical support departments, which are indirectly involved in patient care. It is emphasized that such clinical support departments may deal with and provide service to all other clinical departments. Usage, improvement and effectiveness of such support systems are in the heart of this chapter.

Chapter 6: Clinical Support Systems

This week's content collects information about clinical support departments, which are indirectly involved in patient care. It is emphasized that such clinical support departments may deal with and provide service to all other clinical departments. Usage, improvement and effectiveness of such support systems are in the heart of this week.

Chapter 7: Planning, Modelling and Development of Hospital Information Systems

Hospitals are multifaceted institutions that composed of many specialized but integrated parts. Designing and implementing an information system for hospitals has many challenges due to the complex nature of health care facilities. Therefore planning, modeling, and implementing Hospital Information Systems (HIS) needs special knowledge. This chapter aims to introduce main concepts for developing HIS.

Chapter 8: Electronic Data Exchange in HIS

Healthcare environment composed of various specialized units and institutions. Health data produced by one unit should be distributed to other units and interpreted correctly. Exchanging health data electronically has many benefits including accuracy, completeness and timelines. In order to gain benefits from electronic data exchange standards must be determined. This chapter introduces HL7 standard which is become a worldwide convention. And also organization of hospital information systems is mentioned.

Chapter 11: Telemedicine

Telemedicine is one of the leading study areas for medical informatics in near feature. Today information and communication technologies introduce many opportunities for reducing the importance of distances. Health care is one of the most important areas that need to take benefit from these technologies. Specialist physicians are more likely to locate in metropolitan centers. By means of telemedicine, medical practice can accomplish when patient and health care provider geographically separated. This chapter introduces telemedicine concepts, types and applications of it, with advantages and barriers.

Chapter 12: Security in Medical Information Systems

Any data related with a patient must have confidentiality. Electronic health records must be at least as well protected as paper ones; physicians are responsible for the security of personal health information that they collect. Security of medical information systems requires special concern.