Informatics Training Research Articles

RESULTS OF PEDAGOGICAL EXPERIMENT ON TRAINING OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF INFORMATICS TO THE USE OF TOOLS OF COMPUTER VISUALISATION IN THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

The necessity of training of future informatics teachers to use computer visualisation tools was proven by us in previous scientific works. This research allowed us to construct a model of training of future teachers to use computer visualisation tools (CVT) in their professional activities. This model involved the using of innovative methods and learning tools. At the same time, this model required experimental verification of its effectiveness. The model's result envisaged for the formation of readiness of future informatics teachers to use CVT. The purpose of this article is to present the results of a pedagogical experiment to test the effectiveness of the model for preparing future informatics teachers to use CVT in their professional activities, taking into account the selected indicators. The tasks of the pedagogical experiment are described. Among them: an analysis of the readiness of future computer science teachers to use CVT; development, implementation and verification of the effectiveness of the model for the preparation of future computer science teachers for the use of CVT in professional activities; development of the content and structure of the special course that will be used in the professional training of future computer science teachers; processing, analysis and interpretation of the quantitative data obtained. Their implementation was assumed during the three stages of the pedagogical experiment (ascertaining - 2016, clarifying - 2017 forming - 2018). In our research, were used theoretical methods: consideration of scientific literary sources (scientific articles, reports of speeches at conferences, dissertations of candidates and doctors of science, methodological guidelines, guidelines, books); and empirical: questioning, conversation, interview, testing. A selection of techniques for checking the formation of the readiness components is described. In addition, statistics on the dynamics of their formation in the form of diagrams are reflected. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the modernisation of training of future informatics teachers positively influenced the formation of them readiness to the use CVT in professional activities. The research hypothesis about effectiveness of the specifically training was confirmed at the significance level of 0.05.

Approaches to Capacity Building for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Applications in Health

Many health systems and research institutes are interested in supplementing their traditional analyses of linked data with machine learning (ML) and other artificial intelligence (AI) methods and tools. However, the availability of individuals who have the required skills to develop and/or implement ML/AI is a constraint, as there is high demand for ML/AI talent in many sectors. The three organizations presenting are all actively involved in training and capacity building for ML/AI broadly, and each has a focus on, and/or discrete initiatives for, particular trainees.
 P. Alison Paprica, Vector Institute for artificial intelligence, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada. Alison is VP, Health Strategy and Partnerships at Vector, responsible for health strategy and also playing a lead role in “1000AIMs” – a Vector-led initiative in support of the Province of Ontario’s \$30 million investment to increase the number of AI-related master’s program graduates to 1,000 per year within five years.
 Frank Sullivan, University of St Andrews Scotland. Frank is a family physician and an associate director of HDRUK@Scotland. Health Data Research UK \url{https://hdruk.ac.uk/} has recently provided funding to six sites across the UK to address challenging healthcare issues through use of data science. A 50 PhD student Doctoral Training Scheme in AI has also been announced. Each site works in close partnership with National Health Service bodies and the public to translate research findings into benefits for patients and populations.
 Yin Aphinyanaphongs – INTREPID NYU clinical training program for incoming clinical fellows. Yin is the Director of the Clinical Informatics Training Program at NYU Langone Health. He is deeply interested in the intersection of computer science and health care and as a physician and a scientist, he has a unique perspective on how to train medical professionals for a data drive world. One version of this teaching process is demonstrated in the INTREPID clinical training program. Yin teaches clinicians to work with large scale data within the R environment and generate hypothesis and insights.
 The session will begin with three brief presentations followed by a facilitated session where all participants share their insights about the essential skills and competencies required for different kinds of ML/AI application and contributions. Live polling and voting will be used at the end of the session to capture participants’ view on the key learnings and take away points.
 The intended outputs and outcomes of the session are:
 
 Participants will have a better understanding of the skills and competencies required for individuals to contribute to AI applications in health in various ways
 Participants will gain knowledge about different options for capacity building from targeted enhancement of the skills of clinical fellows, to producing large number of applied master’s graduates, to doctoral-level training
 
 After the session, the co-leads will work together to create a resource that summarizes the learnings from the session and make them public (though publication in a peer-reviewed journal and/or through the IPDLN website)

Factors Associated With Canadian Nurses' Informatics Competency.

As digital innovations continue to transform health systems in Canada, it is important to examine registered nurses' preparedness in informatics, and factors associated with informatics competency. An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional survey was used to determine self-perceived informatics competencies, and factors associated with competency, among practicing nurses in Alberta. Results from 2844 completed surveys showed that nurses' self-perceived informatics competency was slightly above the mark of competent. Perceptions of competency were highest on foundational computer literacy skills and lowest on information and knowledge management competencies. However, overall informatics competency mean scores varied significantly in relation to age, educational qualification, years of experience, and work setting. The quality of informatics training and support offered by employers contributed the most to variance in mean scores of total and subdomains of informatics competency. Other factors, such as age, educational qualification, work setting, previous informatics education, access to the Internet, use of health technology, access to supporting resources, informatics training, an informatics role, and continuing education in informatics, also contributed to mean scores variance in differing degrees. Findings from this study provide a basis for actionable policies to address informatics educational needs and support requirements among nurses practicing now and in the future.

Inter-institutional Training of Biodiversity Informatics Specialists

This presentation will outline the untapped potential of Information and Library Science (ILS) programs as an integral space for the long-term training and support of biodiversity informatics work. It will also outline the specific proposed steps taken at Indiana University, Bloomington (IU), to provide long-term, systematized training of students focused on information work within this broad domain. As a discipline, ILS has long been preoccupied with the organization, description, curation, and access to a wide variety of information and data sources. ILS curriculum necessarily emphasizes a broad range of information topics given that many different kinds of institutions require these particular skillsets. Typical ILS curriculums focus on topics such as, knowledge organization, metadata, ontologies, database design, scholarly communication, intellectual property, information ethics, interface design, data analytics, online publishing, museum studies, data curation, and collection management/administration. Given this broad range of training, students graduating from ILS programs are perfectly situated to support biodiversity informatics broadly conceived, especially as it relates to the standardization and normalization of data sources across geographically and temporally distributed locations and sources within specific institutional environments. Yet, despite the overlaps between ILS departments, biodiversity informatics, and museum environments, no ILS program has officially taken steps to support this intersectional space. Using concrete examples, this talk will show how the ILS program at IU is building on top of already-existing capacities to more robustly support biodiversity work. The proposed way forward is a tightly integrated approach to biodiversity informatics that integrates theoretical experience and technical training with hands-on internships in museum and biodiversity environments. Through close partnerships with on-campus institutes, such as the Indiana Geological & Water Survey and the Center for Biological Research Collections, as well as larger, external institutions such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, students will be provided intense fieldwork experience in data management and standards-driven work specific to the museum and biodiversity world. A tiered approach to this training will be suggested, as this kind of training should proceed at both the professional level (for example, master’s level work), as well as more advanced levels focused on more research-driven activity (such as postdoctoral work). Part of this new approach to biodiversity informatics training requires the rearticulation of ILS courses, as well as the addition of new courses that can provide domain-specific knowledge. This presentation, then, will outline a proposed curriculum to support this kind of collaborative training and work. A distributed training structure will be suggested, utilizing expertise from across the globe. In addition, it will show how a more project- and field work-centric approach to ILS education can more quickly and deeply train students to enter the quickly changing field. Part of the difficulty with training biodiversity informatics specialists is that building such programs from the ground up is often costly and requires the building of new workflows and practices. An integrated approach, such as that proposed in this presentation, however, will leverage the respective strengths of ILS program and museum environments in ways that are sustainable and resilient for the long term. The goal here is for institutions to support each other in ways that strengthen their core missions, as well as push the discipline forward in systematic and unique ways.

The Emerging Role of Neurodiagnostic Informatics in Integrated Neurological and Mental Health Care

ABSTRACTMental, neurological, and neurodevelopmental (MNN) disorders impose an enormous burden of disease globally. Many MNN disorders follow a developmental trajectory. Thus, defining symptoms of MNN disorders may be conceived as the end product of a long developmental process. Many pharmaceutical therapies are aimed at the end symptoms, essentially attempting to reverse pathological brain function that has developed over a long time. A new paradigm is needed to leverage the developmental trajectory of MNN disorders, based on measuring brain function through the life span. Electroencephalography (EEG) is ideally suited for this task. New developments in several fields, including consumer EEG hardware, ubiquitous access to the Internet and electronic health records, and nonlinear mathematics to extract information from physiological signals have converged to enable new approaches to integrating EEG into routine health care. Research continues to demonstrate that EEG analysis can be used to discover digital biomarkers for a wide range of MNN disorders, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia and dementias, and likely many others. When EEG-derived information about brain function is stored with an electronic health record, clinical decision support software may use these data to detect atypical brain development in the earliest stages, thus opening a potential window for early intervention. These developments create an opportunity for neurodiagnostics to merge with biomedical informatics to create clinical tools for monitoring brain function through the life span. Advanced professionals with neurodiagnostics and biomedical informatics skills and training are needed to lead the way in this emerging field.

Radiation Oncology—Where to from Here? A Global Inquiry into the Perspectives of Radiation Oncology Professionals in Light of the Growing Cancer Epidemic

IntroductionRadiation oncology is a vital tool in resisting the cancer epidemic affecting millions worldwide. This study queried the perspectives of radiation oncology professionals and sought their solutions in regard to current practice, future practice, outsourcing, and common values. MethodsA mass consumer survey was distributed globally that collected quantitative and qualitative data from 245 radiation oncology professionals based in 47 countries. ResultsParticipants scored the sector highly on the quality of current practice. The United States was identified as the perceived global leader in the practice of radiation oncology. The sector was considered moderately open to reform with suggestions of better training, greater resources, and incorporation of data informatics. A preference for paradigms involving private enterprise emerged. Appropriate outsourcing tasks and companies were identified and industry leaders evaluated. Remarkable accord was observed in values and priorities across professional groups and examined subsets. ConclusionsThere is an opportunity to realize value through the application of successful global paradigms. Our research generated a unique performance evaluation of the sector by identifying the current situation and areas open to reform. The required shift in the role of government from provider to regulator implied a mandate for a reorientation of policy settings with greater emphasis on free enterprise solutions that maximize value and ultimately advance patient care.

2444 Development of an instrument to identify factors influencing point of care recruitment in primary care settings: A pilot study at University of Utah Health

2444 Development of an instrument to identify factors influencing point of care recruitment in primary care settings: A pilot study at University of Utah Health

History of Romanian Medical Informatics: Learning from the Past to Reshape the Future.

Summary Objectives: The paper presents a review of the history of medical informatics in Romania, starting from the pioneering works, relating the present, and foreseeing the future. Methods: Major milestones of the development of this field have not been simply enumerated, but described within the specific socio-political frame, grasping the entire context over the last four decades in Romania. Two main perspectives have been traced: education and training in medical informatics and implementations in healthcare. Results: Four distinctive historical periods are identified and the major events of each period are described in a critical manner. The history of the Romanian Society of Medical Informatics is presented in a separate chapter. The last section is dedicated to the present state of the field in Romania. Conclusion: The history of Romanian Medical Informatics spans many years and is rich in content. The Romanian Society of Medical Informatics is mainly the result of the efforts undertaken by an enthusiastic and sound professional community, trying to continue the tradition, to achieve new goals, and to work as an active member of the international biomedical/health informatics community.

INVESTIGATIVE APPROACH IN OPERATIONS RESEARCH LEARNING USING MAXIMA SYSTEM

In the article the problems of using the systems of computer mathematics (SCM) as a tool to support the teaching and research activities in the field of informatics and mathematics disciplines training are investigated. The role of SCM in the process of bachelors of informatics training and special aspects of pedagogical applications of these systems in the “Operations research” study is defined. The main characteristics of SCM MAXIMA and the ways of organizing access to it both in local and the cloud-oriented implementation are considered. The results of the pedagogical experiment on MAXIMA application to support the investigative approach to operation research study and the analysis of its conclusions are reported. The use of SCM Maxima in the process of “Operations research” teaching aims at the forming students’ ICT-competences, including in a cloud-based environment due to: the acquaintance with functional characteristics of SCM Maxima; developing skills of mathematical research of the applied tasks, in particular the construction of mathematical models; mastering programming in the SCM Maxima; obtaining the necessary knowledge base for studying other disciplines; increasing the level of informatics acquirement by means of the extensive use of SCM and cloud oriented systems in the educational process and research work. The aim of the research is justification of Maxima system use of in the process “Operations research” teaching in the pedagogical university as enchasing the investigative approach to learning and determination of the perspective ways of its introduction

Career Paths of Pathology Informatics Fellowship Alumni

Background: The alumni of today’s Pathology Informatics and Clinical Informatics fellowships fill diverse roles in academia, large health systems, and industry. The evolving training tracks and curriculum of Pathology Informatics fellowships have been well documented. However, less attention has been given to the posttraining experiences of graduates from informatics training programs. Here, we examine the career paths of subspecialty fellowship-trained pathology informaticians. Methods: Alumni from four Pathology Informatics fellowship training programs were contacted for their voluntary participation in the study. We analyzed various components of training, and the subsequent career paths of Pathology Informatics fellowship alumni using data extracted from alumni provided curriculum vitae. Results: Twenty-three out of twenty-seven alumni contacted contributed to the study. A majority had completed undergraduate study in science, technology, engineering, and math fields and combined track training in anatomic and clinical pathology. Approximately 30% (7/23) completed residency in a program with an in-house Pathology Informatics fellowship. Most completed additional fellowships (15/23) and many also completed advanced degrees (10/23). Common primary posttraining appointments included chief medical informatics officer (3/23), director of Pathology Informatics (10/23), informatics program director (2/23), and various roles in industry (3/23). Many alumni also provide clinical care in addition to their informatics roles (14/23). Pathology Informatics alumni serve on a variety of institutional committees, participate in national informatics organizations, contribute widely to scientific literature, and more than half (13/23) have obtained subspecialty certification in Clinical Informatics to date. Conclusions: Our analysis highlights several interesting phenomena related to the training and career trajectory of Pathology Informatics fellowship alumni. We note the long training track alumni complete in preparation for their careers. We believe flexible training pathways combining informatics and clinical training may help to alleviate the burden. We highlight the importance of in-house Pathology Informatics fellowships in promoting interest in informatics among residents. We also observe the many important leadership roles in academia, large community health systems, and industry available to early career alumni and believe this reflects a strong market for formally trained informaticians. We hope this analysis will be useful as we continue to develop the informatics fellowships to meet the future needs of our trainees and discipline.

Village based geographic spatial display of puskesmas data and villagers awareness campaign in dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF): Lesson from Sleman

Public health agencies concern about the disease contraction processes at the population level. Early detection and prompt treatment can be made to prevent transmission in the earliest stage. Understanding that their areas are endemic to DHF and the fact that cases continue to occur from year to year, community and public health stakeholders have a reduced motivation to take actions to have precaution to dengue. The village community will not be aware of the problems until patients from their areas visit health facility. The goal of this paper is to illustrate health center initiative to raise DHF precaution through village based spatial data display of dengue for the villagers attention in raising agenda in the management of dengue hemorrhagic fever at the level where they live. The paper points out the success story of the team of health facility manager, active public health program managers, an information technology literate administrators, and participation of local and private health workers asking DHF suspects to have their blood test in the health center. Supporting staff with health informatics training background has been able to work together with laboratory workers. The laboratory workers input the computer application that translate patient thrombocyte count data into village based geographic-spatial display. These data provide quick evidence about what is happening in the population. Puskesmas manager has the MPH training with population health perspective and the moral of public health problem solving. By having this data, she could make the health promotion actions at the population level. This paper shows the ability of health center manager to link health facility data and the population level evidence for public health action. The data can be used to trigger community be aware of DHF and to raise agenda in the prevention of local diseases. This is an easy and feasible things to do. Primary care and public health are under the common responsibility of the puskesmas managers. It is clear that data of health facility serve as the warning system of disease contracting process at the population level and the promotion of simple evidence to push community to get involved in prevention activities.

An Approach for Some in Advanced Pharmacy Informatics Education

Computerization is transforming health care while the quantity and complexity of biomedical knowledge rapidly grows. Today, all clinicians use health information technology (HIT), but only some pharmacists need to be cross-trained in "all" that advanced informatics entails so they can devise new and better information systems to support the pharmacy practice of the future. We propose a dual approach to informatics education in pharmacy: incorporate fundamental informatics education into pharmacy curricula for all students; and train some students interested in becoming informatics experts to design, develop, implement, and evaluate novel HIT for pharmacy. This commentary focuses specifically on the latter. It discusses the advanced pharmacy informatics training needed by some pharmacists to support innovation of HIT and to enable a shift to a more fully system-supported pharmacy practice.

The analysis of the state of the training of future teachers of informatics in higher pedagogical educational institutions for the career guidance of pupils on IT-specialties

The ability to realize the pedagogical support of processes of socialization and professional self-determination of schoolchildren is considered as the one of subject (special professional) competences of a teacher of informatics. That is why it is extremely urgent to elaborate the renewed system of training of informatics teacher to the realization of the carrier guidance work with schoolchildren that would take into account features and tendencies of the labor market formation, would able to react timely on demands and challenges of today or even outrun them to some extent. Despite the presence of many-sided native and foreign achievements in the scientific-pedagogical sphere, that the training of future informatics teachers in the system of Ukrainian pedagogical education is based on, there are not enough studies, directed on the substantiation of theoretical and methodical principles of the professional training of future informatics teachers to the carrier guidance of pupils on IT specialties. The aim of the study is to characterize the state of future informatics teachers training for the carrier guidance work with schoolchildren on IT-specialties in the practice of the work of higher pedagogical educational institutions. The study of curriculums, programs of academic disciplines, pedagogical practices, textbooks, schoolbooks and also other learning-methodological support (compendia of lectures, plans of practical, laboratory, individual activities, tasks for independent work, topics for course works, materials for control and so on) testified the absence of the proper elucidation of questions of future informatics teachers training for the realization of schoolchildren carrier guidance on IT specialties. Thus, it seems to be necessary to introduce essential changes in the process of future informatics teachers training for the carrier guidance work with children, connected with IT field. The training of future informatics teachers for the carrier guidance of schoolchildren in IT sphere must be an inalienable component of the professional training of students in higher pedagogical educational institutions and must be based on the elaboration of the new learning-methodological support

The Emerging Role of the Chief Research Informatics Officer in Academic Health Centers.

The role of the Chief Research Informatics Officer (CRIO) is emerging in academic health centers to address the challenges clinical researchers face in the increasingly digitalized, data-intensive healthcare system. Most current CRIOs are the first officers in their institutions to hold that role. To date there is very little published information about this role and the individuals who serve it. To increase our understanding of the CRIO role, the leaders who serve it, and the factors associated with their success in their organizations. The Clinical Research Informatics Working Group of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) conducted a national survey of CRIOs in the United States and convened an expert panel of CRIOs to discuss their experience during the 2016 AMIA Annual Symposium. CRIOs come from diverse academic backgrounds. Most have advance training and extensive experience in biomedical informatics but the majority have been CRIOs for less than three years. CRIOs identify funding, data governance, and advancing data analytics as their major challenges. CRIOs play an important role in helping shape the future of clinical research, innovation, and data analytics in healthcare in their organizations. They share many of the same challenges and see the same opportunities for the future of the field. Better understanding the background and experience of current CRIOs can help define and develop the role in other organizations and enhance their influence in the field of research informatics.

СТРУКТУРНО-ФУНКЦІОНАЛЬНА МОДЕЛЬ ХМАРО ОРІЄНТОВАНОГО НАВЧАЛЬНОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА ДЛЯ ПІДГОТОВКИ БАКАЛАВРІВ ІНФОРМАТИКИ

The article summarizes the essence of the category "model". There are presented the main types of models used in educational research: structural, functional, structural and functional model as well as basic requirements for building these types of models. The national experience in building models and designing cloud-based learning environment of educational institutions (both higher and secondary) is analyzed. It is presented structural and functional model of cloud-based learning environment for Bachelor of Informatics. Also we describe each component of cloud-based learning environment model for bachelors of informatics training: target, managerial, organizational, content and methodical, communication, technological and productive. It is summarized, that COLE should solve all major tasks that relate to higher education institutions.

Health informatics in UK medical education: a survey of current practice.

This study aimed to investigate the preparedness of tomorrow’s doctors for working in a future health service and to identify any education and training gaps, by collecting up-to-date data on the current status of health informatics (HI) training in UK medical schools and exploring whether it meets the General Medical Council (GMC)’s curriculum requirements. An online survey was developed informed by the GMC’s Outcomes for Graduates and recommendations of the International Medical Informatics Association. Senior academic staff and HI educators at …

Health informatics in UK medical education: a survey of current practice

This study aimed to investigate the preparedness of tomorrow’s doctors for working in a future health service and to identify any education and training gaps, by collecting up-to-date data on the current status of health informatics (HI) training in UK medical schools and exploring whether it meets the General Medical Council (GMC)’s curriculum requirements. An online survey was developed informed by the GMC’s Outcomes for Graduates and recommendations of the International Medical Informatics Association. Senior academic staff and HI educators at …

Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment for the Nurse Leader: The Delphi Study.

The aim of this study was to identify nursing informatics competencies perceived as relevant and required by nurse leaders. To participate as a full partner in healthcare leadership among rapidly advancing health information technologies (HITs), nurse leaders must attain knowledge of informatics competencies related to their clinical leadership roles and responsibilities. Despite this increased need to engage in HIT-related decision making, a gap remains in validated informatics competencies specific to the needs of nurse leaders. An environmental scan and 3-round survey using Delphi methods used with nurse leaders for competency identification were used. Between 26 and 41 participants responded to each Delphi round. Most nurse leaders acquired HIT knowledge through on-the-job training. We identified 74 competencies from an initial list of 108 competencies. This work can advance nursing practice to move beyond "on-the-job informatics training" to a more competency-based model of nursing informatics education and practice.

An Approach for All in Pharmacy Informatics Education

Computerization is transforming health care. All clinicians are users of health information technology (HIT). Understanding fundamental principles of informatics, the field focused on information needs and uses, is essential if HIT is going to support improved patient outcomes. Informatics education for clinicians is a national priority. Additionally, some informatics experts are needed to bring about innovations in HIT. A common approach to pharmacy informatics education has been slow to develop. Meanwhile, accreditation standards for informatics in pharmacy education continue to evolve. A gap remains in the implementation of informatics education for all pharmacy students and it is unclear what expert informatics training should cover. In this article, we propose the first of two complementary approaches to informatics education in pharmacy: to incorporate fundamental informatics education into pharmacy curricula for all students. The second approach, to train those students interested in becoming informatics experts to design, develop, implement, and evaluate HIT, will be presented in a subsequent issue of the Journal.

The UCLA Health Resident Informaticist Program - A Novel Clinical Informatics Training Program.

Few opportunities exist for physician trainees to gain exposure to, and training in, the field of clinical informatics, an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited, recently board-certified specialty. Currently, 21 approved programs exist nationwide for the formal training of fellows interested in pursuing careers in this discipline. Residents and fellows training in medical and surgical fields, however, have few avenues available to gain experience in clinical informatics. An early introduction to clinical informatics brings an opportunity to generate interest for future career trajectories. At University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Health, we have developed a novel, successful, and sustainable program, the Resident Informaticist Program, with the goals of exposing physician trainees to the field of clinical informatics and its academic nature and providing opportunities to expand the clinical informatics workforce. Herein, we provide an overview of the development, implementation, and current state of the UCLA Health Resident Informaticist Program, with a blueprint for development of similar programs.