Introduction to Health Informatics

The first of its kind, this engaging textbook unpacks health informatics from a uniquely Canadian perspective. With a bottom up approach, author Christo El Morr identifies how health informatics influences and affects a range of Canadian healthcare stakeholders including populations, patients, doctors, nurses, managers, clinicians, and governments. Presented in a clear and concise way, section one equips students with an overview of health informatics building blocks: computers, networks, databases, and user interfaces. Section two details major health informatics systems: picture archiving, communication systems, data warehousing, and business intelligence. Finally, section three explores challenges with privacy, confidentiality, security, and emerging trends such as big data, gamification, and wearable technologies.

Packed with key terms, reflection activities, quizzes, a test bank, and assignments, this comprehensive introductory textbook is an invaluable read for undergraduate students, educators, and practitioners in the health informatics, health management, health policy, or global health fields.