IALH Research Fellow Karen L. Courtney has published a new research article entitled Paramedicine informatics – leveraging advancing technology to drive positive change. Collaborating authors include Desmond Hedderson and Ian E. Blanchard. The article was published in Paramedicine.
Abstract:
As all areas of healthcare continue to experience rapid digitisation, the field of health informatics is becoming increasingly important. Large health systems are employing more informatics professionals to ensure that the health information systems deployed are safe, efficient, equitable and, most importantly, adopted by users. The value of informatics to paramedicine is only increasing as we continue to see rapid expansion of digital health technologies. New wearable technologies, improved cellular infrastructure, and leaps in generative artificial intelligence and natural language processing capabilities have made informatics even more relevant to paramedicine. However, we need paramedicine professionals with the necessary informatics competencies in place to take advantage of the opportunities provided by informatics. Health informatics can improve our systems and quality of care by using maturity models, artificial intelligence evaluation frameworks, implementation science, and health data interoperability. Given the unique context of paramedicine in healthcare, we recommend that a specialised informatics subdivision of paramedicine informatics be recognised as a pathway to further professional growth and distinguish paramedicine as a unique healthcare profession with specific knowledge frameworks and needs.
To read the full article, see https://doi.org/10.1177/27536386251333517