Clinical Informatics - a Brief Overview

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A board-certified pathologist with more than two decades of professional experience, Dr. Sophia Kotliar serves as the laboratory medical director at Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township, New Jersey. Over the course of her career, Dr. Sophia Kotliar has developed an in-depth knowledge in various areas of health care, including clinical informatics.

An evolving subspecialty in the medical field, clinical informatics (CI) refers to the study of information technology and how it can be applied in a healthcare setting. CI professionals take on a variety of roles to ensure that collected data is organized, processed, stored, analyzed, and applied in a way that has the largest possible positive effect on patient health.

While CI has been a part of the healthcare industry for several decades, it has increased in importance alongside the growing use of electronic health records and the increasing reliance on data and technology to deliver patient care. The growth of CI is creating enormous employment opportunities for those with a knowledge of patient care and an understanding of information science, information systems, and other informatics concepts.

CI professionals have a presence in practically every facet of health care and various settings, including hospitals, physicians' practices, dental offices, and pharmacies. Those who work in this subspecialty typically come from a healthcare background.

Frequently Asked Questions about Electronic Medical Records

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Dr. Sophia Kotliar is the director of the Ocean Medical Center Laboratory, where she also serves on the Hackensack Meridian Health EPIC Physician Advisory Council. As an expert on medical clinical informatics and EPIC systems, in particular, Dr. Sophia Kotliar has insight into the importance of electronic medical records in today’s medical establishment. However, some concerns are often raised by patients. A few of the most frequently asked question can be found below.

Q: Why does the digital storage of records matter?
A: One of the main reasons is that it’s a way to keep records safe for an indefinite period. But it also allows very quick and easy access to your records for physicians and other medical practitioners.

Q: Is my information safe when stored in electronic form?
A: Any valuable digital information is at least somewhat vulnerable to attacks. However, the professionals and organizations that manage this information are abundantly incentivized legally and financially to make sure it’s as safe as it can be.

Q: What are the benefits of EMR for me?
A: Doctors can design better treatment plans and coordinate with other professionals faster and easier with EMR. Furthermore, the more information they have, the better and more accurately they can diagnose patients. Finally, it reduces any chances that mistakes will happen during a person's care by consolidating all communications and information in one system.

The Role of Clinical Informatics in Modern Health Care

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As laboratory medical director at Ocean Medical Center - Hackensack Meridian Health, Sophia Kotliar led a team effort to implement a whole health system electronic record called EPIC, which is a leading health care information system (HIS) in the United States. Sophia Kotliar considers medical clinical informatics vital in her profession.

Clinical informatics promotes the understanding, application, and integration of information technology in the medical and health care industry. Clinical informatics professionals, also known as clinical informaticians, help transform the health care arena by analyzing, evaluating, designing, and implementing advanced and technology-based information and communication systems that are meant to improve practitioner-patient relationships and overall patient care.

Through advanced information and communications technology (ICT), information such as laboratory results reach their intended recipients more quickly and accurately. As a result, no time or resources are wasted for the exchange and delivery of information. Furthermore, clinical informatics also allows for the effective and efficient sharing of knowledge between practitioners, providers, and patients. Because of this, the chain of care is strengthened and made more efficient.