A stimulus to define informatics and health information technology
Synergies and distinctions between computational disciplines in biomedical research: perspective from the Clinical and Translational Science Award programs.
Bernstam EV, Hersh WR, Johnson SB, Chute CG, Nguyen H, Sim I, Nahm M, Weiner MG, Miller P, DiLaura RP, Overcash M, Lehmann HP, Eichmann D, Athey BD, Scheuermann RH, Anderson N, Starren J, Harris PA, Smith JW, Barbour E, Silverstein JC, Krusch DA, Nagarajan R, Becich MJ; CTSA Biomedical Informatics Key Function Committee.
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
What is the Difference between Informatics and IT?
Informatics and IT are not synonymous, and should not be used interchangeably. However, the term Informatics is used in quite a number of different ways to express different meaning by different people, especially in the areas of health informatics, medical informatics and bioinformatics. There are also situations where IT support for research and Informatics can overlap in general terms. Typically in the practical application of informatics or particular implementation, traditional IT support as well as Informatics functions are required.
- Informatics (health informatics, medical informatics and bioinformatics)
- Facilitating the use and understanding of information
- Development and encouragement of novel approaches to information and knowledge related issues.
- Development or implementation of information systems that support a larger framework that is able to support the research and clinical community.
- Research in the area of information or information technology use
- Not Informatics
- Computer or Desktop support
- Printer, Fax machine, telephone, or other device support
- Server maintenance
- Email services
- Web page development
- Other “Help desk” type services