Bath, PA (Bath, Peter A.) Health informatics: current issues and challenges JOURNAL OF INFORMATION SCIENCE, 34 (4): 501-518 AUG 2008

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: p.a.bath at sheffield.ac.uk 

Author(s): Bath, PA (Bath, Peter A.) 

Title: Health informatics: current issues and challenges
 
Source: JOURNAL OF INFORMATION SCIENCE, 34 (4): 501-518 AUG 2008 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Author Keywords: health informatics; health information management; 
medical informatics 

Keywords Plus: WORLD-WIDE-WEB; PATIENT INFORMATION; VULNERABLE 
POPULATIONS; MEDICAL-RECORDS; CARE; SEEKING; BEHAVIOR; QUALITY; NEEDS; 
COMMUNICATION 

Abstract: Health informatics concerns the use of information and 
information and communication technologies within healthcare. Health 
informatics and information science need to take account of the unique 
aspects of health and medicine. The development of information systems and 
electronic records within health needs to consider the information needs 
and behaviour of all users. The sensitivity of personal health data raises 
ethical concerns for developing electronic records. E- health initiatives 
must actively involve users in the design, development, implementation and 
evaluation, and information science can contribute to understanding the 
needs and behaviour of user groups. Health informatics could make an 
important contribution to the ageing society and to reducing the digital 
divide and health divides within society. There is a need for an 
appropriate evidence base within health informatics to support future 
developments, and to ensure health informatics reaches its potential to 
improve the health and well- being of patients and the public. 

Addresses: Univ Sheffield, Dept Informat Studies, Hlth Informat Res Grp, 
Sheffield S10 2TN, S Yorkshire, England 

Reprint Address: Bath, PA, Univ Sheffield, Dept Informat Studies, Hlth 
Informat Res Grp, Sheffield S10 2TN, S Yorkshire, England. 

Cited Reference Count: 65 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD 

Publisher Address: 1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND 

ISSN: 0165-5515 

DOI: 10.1177/0165551508092267 

29-char Source Abbrev.: J INFORM SCI 

ISO Source Abbrev.: J. Inf. Sci. 

Source Item Page Count: 18 

Subject Category: Computer Science, Information Systems; Information 
Science & Library Science 

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