Identify how a nurse informaticist can position themselves to add value considering the promises of translational informatics. Cite references.
Reference:
Technology Networks. (2018). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Retrieved from https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Harrington, L. (2012, June 23). The role of nurse informaticists in the emerging field of clinical intelligence. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3799143/
Great insights and points raised, Shaine! I agree that translational informatics has every right and potential to enhance patient care as it transforms scientific breakthroughs into meaningful efforts for our patients. Nurse informaticists can maximize its cause by making electronic health records (EHRs) and other documents of the patient into something that is user-friendly and accessible.
That’s true, Shaine! I completely agree with your perspective on the significant role nurse informaticists play in bridging research and patient care through translational informatics. The ability to integrate the latest evidence into nursing workflows and EHRs is a game-changer for improving patient outcomes. Making EHRs more user-friendly while embedding updated clinical guidelines and reminders directly into the system ensures that nurses have the tools they need to make well-informed decisions at the bedside. Collaborating with IT teams to align technology with clinical needs is an excellent way to translate research into actionable insights that benefit both patients and healthcare providers. Your example highlights how a nurse informaticist can be instrumental in transforming care delivery.
References:
Technology Networks. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Wigley, R. (2024, August 21). Benefits of informatics in nursing. Adelphi University Online. https://online.adelphi.edu/articles/benefits-of-informatics-in-nursing/
Thank you for sharing your insights, and I completely agree with you that a nurse informaticist has the power to expand their impact by utilizing various platforms that enable exploration, synthesis, combination, and interpretation of data. Furthermore, by collaborating with researchers and experts, nurse informaticists don’t just manage data—they actively contribute to shaping healthcare strategies and driving technological advancements.
Totally agree, Bielle! By combining and interpreting data from various scientific fields, they contribute to significant advancements in nursing practice and patient care. Their collaboration with researchers and experts is key to developing innovative strategies and technologies that lead to better health outcomes. I also appreciate your emphasis on their ability to integrate these discoveries into existing healthcare systems and standards of care. This ensures that the benefits of translational informatics are effectively utilized, enabling providers to collaborate across disciplines and deliver high-quality care to patients.
A nurse informaticist can play an important role in ensuring that the potential of translational informatics is fully realized in healthcare. They act as a bridge between complex research findings and practical clinical applications, utilizing their understanding of both patient care and technology. According to Smith and Johnson (2023), embedding translational research in healthcare requires strong leadership, supportive workplace culture, and targeted training for staff. Nurse informaticists can lead the way by advocating for educational programs that boost nurses’ and allied health professionals’ confidence in applying research in their practice. Additionally, they promote collaboration across different departments, which is essential for sharing and effectively using research findings (Smith & Johnson, 2023). By managing data integration and ensuring secure sharing practices, nurse informaticists help foster an environment that supports personalized treatment plans and better patient outcomes. Their involvement in staff training, promoting research culture, and supporting multidisciplinary efforts positions them as vital contributors to translating research into everyday clinical care.
Reference:
Smith, S., & Johnson, G. (2023). A systematic review of the barriers, enablers and strategies to embedding translational research within the public hospital system focusing on nursing and allied health professions. PloS one, 18(2), e0281819. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281819
Technology Networks. (2019). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Retrieved from https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
As written by Fan (2019), their customers echo the recurring theme of: “drowning in data, but starving for insights that will lead to new therapies.” She emphasizes that there must be a strong informatics strategy to produce meaningful insights, with the approach of utilizing data science in conjunction with powerful computing resources to efficiently manage, analyze, and interpret data. A nurse informaticist can add value to the promises of translational informatics by reducing the disparity between data science and patient-centered care.
In many organizations, fostering a culture of nursing excellence involves actively incorporating Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to improve healthcare systems and advance the field of nursing research (Weiss et al, 2018). That said, nurse informaticists can use data analytics to identify trends, gaps, or areas for improvement in patient care. For example, they could analyze patient outcomes to determine whether EBPs like pain management or infection control protocols are being consistently followed, and then implement strategies for improvement through nursing research.
References:
Fan, F. (2019). Technology Networks. Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
Weiss, M. E., Bobay, K. L., Johantgen, M., & Shirey, M. R. (2018). Aligning Evidence-Based practice with translational research. JONA the Journal of Nursing Administration, 48(9), 425–431. https://doi.org/10.1097/nna.0000000000000644
For example, in translational informatics, a lot of research on approaches on how to increase patient outcomes and provide real-time feedback are made as initiatives to enhance patient care. According to Dowding et al. (2013), these two topics are the two most highly ranked areas of importance for nursing research. Thus, a nurse informaticist can spearhead research regarding these topics and use informatics approaches and tools to come up with scientific conclusions.
A nurse informaticist can also educate other nurses about her findings and help plan programs to implement these findings in the hospital and community setting. An example of this is given by Fan (2019), where translational research helps make medicine more precise and tailor-fit to the patient, such as the new classes of drugs for cancer. A nurse informaticist can create guidelines on how to effectively prepare and administer such drugs to a patient.
References:
Dowding, D. W., Currie, L. M., Borycki, E., Clamp, S., Favela, J., Fitzpatrick, G., Gardner, P., Hamer, S., Hardiker, N., Johnson, O., Lawton, R., O'Brien, A., Randell, R., Westbrook, J., Whitewood-Moores, Z., & Dykes, P. C. (2013). International Priorities for Research in Nursing Informatics for Patient Care. ebooks.iospress.nl. https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-61499-289-9-372
Fan, F. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
In addition, nurse informaticists play a significant role in creating clinical decision support systems (CDSS) that provide timely, evidence-based information at the point of care. They focus on user-centered design to ensure these systems fit seamlessly into clinical workflows.
In patient-centered informatics, nurse informaticists foster patient involvement by utilizing accessible health technologies, such as patient portals and mobile apps, while prioritizing privacy and security. They are also instrumental in research collaboration, aiding in clinical studies and sharing findings to enhance evidence-based practice. Furthermore, nurse informaticists contribute to developing informatics skills among healthcare professionals, influencing education and training programs that prepare the next generation of the healthcare workforce. By actively participating in these areas, they establish themselves as vital partners in translational informatics, all going back to promoting innovation and better patient outcomes.
References:
Benefits of Nursing Informatics—Adelphi. (n.d.). https://online.adelphi.edu/articles/benefits-of-informatics-in-nursing/
Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. (n.d.). Informatics from Technology Networks. http://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
What Is Nursing Informatics and Why Is It So Important? | ANA. (n.d.). https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/nursing-informatics/
What is the Role of Nursing Informatics | Carlow Online. (2021, December 23). Carlow University. https://online.carlow.edu/resources/article/role-of-nursing-informatics/
Scientists now have an incredible tool called Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), which lets them quickly read and understand a person’s genetic information. With this, scientists can look for specific "molecular signatures" or biomarkers (cells that give clues about how they might react to certain drugs). These help scientists sort people into groups based on how likely they are to benefit from a particular treatment. This way, clinical trials can focus on those who are most likely to respond, making the process faster and increasing the chances of finding treatments that work.
This approach helps companies lower the costs of developing drugs that might not work for everyone. At the same time, it means that patients can get effective treatments sooner and with less trial and error, making the process safer for them. By matching drugs to the right patients from the beginning, companies can bring valuable medications to market faster and with more confidence.
References:
Challenges and promises of Translational Informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. (n.d.). https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
One example is the focus of the article that I read which focuses on the pharmaceutical field and it is all about how new products of medication are being produced, however its level of productivity is insufficient in comparison to results from last decade. This is where translational informatics come into play since a crucial factor in improving the productivity of drug development is further enhancing its understanding and analysis which is done in the laboratory.
Source: Cantor MN. Translational informatics: an industry perspective. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2012 Mar-Apr;19(2):153-5. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2011-000588. Epub 2012 Jan 11. PMID: 22237867; PMCID: PMC3277629.
References:
Technology Networks. (2018). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Retrieved from https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Narciso, V. (2015). Newborn screening program | doh car. https://caro.doh.gov.ph/newborn-screening-program/
Countless strides have been made to progress patient care in such a way that it can be personalized and prepared for patients with different circumstances. A nurse informaticist should contribute by participating in research that benefits the public. A nurse informaticist should focus on research that can directly impact the health of countless of patients. It should reach levels of genetics, biology, and further concepts that can assist patients on a deeper level.
Their contributions can mark a new era of nursing care. New principles can be discovered and implemented so that more lives can be nurtured and cared for. A nursing informaticist has the responsibility to look beyond the immediate concern of a patient and see what knowledge needs to be discovered so that they can achieve their utmost care.
Technology Networks. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Sethi, P., & Theodos, K. (2009). Translational bioinformatics and healthcare informatics: computational and ethical challenges. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20169020
references:
Clark, B. (2021, May 17). RICE — Outdated for Treating Injury | The Anatomy of Wellness | Pain, Injury & Sports Performance Clinic. The Anatomy of Wellness | Pain, Injury & Sports Performance Clinic. https://theanatomyofwellness.com/rice-outdated-new-injury-treatment/ Fan. (2019, February 21). Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. Technology Networks Informatics. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
DeGrande & Perez (2024) found that translational informatics allows for enhanced ability to visualize, conceptualize, and understand how information systems can impact clinical and business decision-making. This is especially helpful for nurse leaders, given the necessity of understanding a broader scope of health informatics in both clinical and business intelligence. As this study delves into the adaptation of translational pedagogy in nursing informatics course, nursing informaticists can also help students like us to enhance our abilities to utilize information systems not just in clinical applications, but also in the broader aspect of leadership decision-making, as future workers in the field. After all, we are studying to be nurse leaders here in UP.
References
DeGrande, H., & Perez III, M. (2024). Re-visioning of a Nursing Informatics Course With Translational Pedagogy. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 42(11), 796-801. DOI: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000001193
Fan, F. (2019). Technology Networks. Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
As future nurse leaders, it's essential to stay updated on the latest advancements in translational informatics. Consider following relevant journals, attending conferences, and participating in online communities to expand your knowledge and network with other professionals in the field.
According to Stanford Medicine (n.d.), translational informatics is focused on bridging the gap between existing data and new ways to improve it to achieve better health delivery. The technology used in translational informatics is essential to integrate appropriate information technology educational programs for nursing informatics (Darvish et al., 2014).
With this, the nursing informaticists can position themselves in data analysis and interpretation to form a clinical decision and optimize the healthcare processes given to the patient. They can also participate in the accuracy and reliability of the health data provided, which is essential for evidence-based practices in today’s time. With their knowledge of technology in improving health outcomes, they can empower patients to improve digital literacy in seeking health to promote their behaviors. These essential positions that nursing informaticists uphold already add to the value of translational informatics.
References:
Darvish, A., Bahramnezhad, F., Keyhanian, S., & Navidhamidi, M. (2014). The role of nursing informatics on promoting quality of health care and the need for appropriate education. Global journal of health science, 6(6), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v6n6p11
Nursing informaticists are the backbone of technology-driven care. (2021). Oncology Nursing Society. https://www.ons.org/publications-research/voice/news-views/nursing-informaticists-are-backbone-technology-driven-care
Stanford Medicine. (n.d.). Translational Informatics. Center for Biomedical Informatics Research. https://bmir.stanford.edu/research-groups/translational-informatics.html
References:
Cantor, M. N. (2012). Translational informatics: an industry perspective. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 19(2), 153–155. https://doi.org/10.1136/amiajnl-2011-000588
Technology Networks. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
This is a great perspective, Rhana! Their ability to analyze data trends and contribute to research ensures that advancements in healthcare are not only innovative but also practical and patient-centered. Their involvement bridges the gap between research and clinical practice, enhancing individualized care.
References
Stanford Medicine. (n.d.). Translational Informatics. Retrieved from https://bmir.stanford.edu/research-groups/translational-informatics.html
A nursing informaticist's role is important especially when they provide and facilitate evidence-based practices that will be integrated into healthcare systems that fosters a conducive environment for research to be nurtured and be applied to practice to improve patient outcomes. Electronic health records is also one of the nursing informaticists' greatest innovations which can also bridge gaps in improving data analytics as there is a big data problem in translational informatics in keeping all this data effectively. Nursing informaticists would be of value to this aspect by integrating their expertise in data collection, storage, and protection which will all point to improved patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.
Electronic health records do show trends regarding a patient in an accessible way. As mentioned by Fan (2019), translational informatics works in such a way that they pair sequenced exomes to EHRs and combine phenotypic information from these in order to gather information about mutations that can increase or reduce risks of specific diseases. With this example in mind, it is important that nursing informaticists will be able to bridge the gap in the promised translational informatics by integrating their expertise to research in order to make it a practice in improving patient outcomes and collaborating with professionals globally who attain the same goal in translational informatics.
References
Booth, R. G., Strudwick, G., McBride, S., O’Connor, S., & López, A. L. S. (2021). How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. BMJ, n1190. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1190
Technology Networks. (2019). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
Well said, Moni! Indeed, nursing informaticists have a significant role in ensuring that not only do they focus on current possible innovations in the field but also consistently integrate these concepts in further research to ensure that existing data is effectively used for improvement. I also liked how you mentioned that collaboration is crucial in the attainment of the promised translational informatics. Thank you for this!
REFERENCES:
DeGrande, H., & Perez, M. (2024). Re-visioning of a nursing informatics course with translational pedagogy. CIN Computers Informatics Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1097/cin.0000000000001193
Technology Networks. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
As has been always emphasized in our N101 course, nurse informaticists have crucial roles in various aspects when it comes to enhancing the application of informatics in the field of healthcare. As per Fan (2019), translational informatics is ultimately a big data problem. With this, all data must be safeguarded by researchers, upholding privacy, security, and confidentiality. Nursing informaticists can add value to this by ensuring that data is protected and solely used for the enhancement of patient-centered care. Moreover, Mendonca et al. (2022) conducted a study about translational research teams, which yielded results on the effectiveness of advanced training or programs in various areas of clinical informatics. Ensuring the success of said programs requires a strong commitment to utilizing informatics to correlate all aspects of health, clinical care, and research. Nursing informaticists can be one of those on the frontline to make sure that goals and visions, such as these, are met and sustained–considering their knowledge in utilizing data and collaborating with various members of the healthcare team in the pursuit of providing quality care to patients.
Fan, F. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Mendonca EA, Richesson RL, Hochheiser H, Cooper DM, Bruck MN, Berner ES. Informatics education for translational research teams: An unrealized opportunity to strengthen the national research infrastructure. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. 2022;6(1):e130. doi:10.1017/cts.2022.481
Nurse informaticists can shape tools like clinical decision support systems, predictive analytics, and other advanced technologies that make it easier for clinicians to make well-informed decisions, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. Beyond the technology itself, they’re instrumental in helping healthcare teams adopt these innovations—educating providers, addressing concerns, and guiding the entire change process. By engaging in these areas, nurse informaticists play a key role in transforming healthcare and fully realizing the potential of translational informatics to benefit patients and providers alike.
References:
What is the Role of Nursing Informatics | Carlow Online. (2021, December 23). Carlow University. https://online.carlow.edu/resources/article/role-of-nursing-informatics/
What Is Nursing Informatics and Why Is It So Important? | ANA. (2024, February 19). ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/nursing-informatics/
Despite the growing number of nurse informaticists, I feel that data resources are not always optimally utilized or managed to their full potential. Nurse informaticists have a unique opportunity to bridge clinical care with research advancements, such as those in genetics and molecular biology, to enable personalized treatments and improved patient outcomes. By integrating insights from diverse research fields with patient data, they can help create a more holistic approach to healthcare, ensuring that clinical decisions are guided by the latest scientific knowledge.
Technology Networks. (2019, February). Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks; Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
I agree with you, Coco! With the skills that nursing informaticist holds, they play a huge role in promoting holistic approach towards patient care across various healthcare professions.
Due to the interplay of various disciplines and the numerous scientific experiments and examinations employed to achieve its goal, one major challenge translational informatics faces is data integration. In solution to that, nursing informaticists can help in terms of creating a system, that allows researchers or medical professionals to sort, organize, and store their data properly, as well as in creating a system that easily helps those involved in navigating past results and discoveries.
One feature of translational informatics is that it can help us in making medicine more precise and personalized. With that, nursing informaticists could create a database, containing the personal details of the patient, significant medical history and physical examination, past medication history, etc. and connect it to its present chief complaint, to achieve this feature. This is very important to ensure that all considerations are met to avoid further complications related to drug-related complications.
Reference:
Challenges and promises of Translational Informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. (n.d.). https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Translational medicine. (2022, July 20). EUPATI Toolbox. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://toolbox.eupati.eu/resources/translational-medicine/
The focus of translational informatics is on improving diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and treatment of disease (Translational Informatics, n.d.), which could further be improved by nurse informaticists by complementing these breakthroughs and designing nursing actions that would focus on patient advocacy and welfare.
A nurse informaticist must be able to collaborate with their clinical colleagues in creating methodological rigor and carrying out translational efforts. In this way, since many nurses are immersed in the applications of patient-centered care, gaps in the implementation of an innovation may be filled by proposing new research studies utilizing data from clinical settings. Aside from the clinical competence of nurses, being leaders also paves the way for a greater position and adding value in translational informatics. Nurse informaticists may lead in the implementation of evidence-based practices in clinical settings to monitor and assess their effectiveness while identifying areas for improvement, with much priority to the patient's response (Zullig et al., 2019).
This signifies that nurse informaticists can bring breakthroughs in the field of nursing and healthcare by assuming various positions to add to the value of translational informatics.
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References:
Translational Informatics. (n.d.). Center for Biomedical Informatics Research. https://bmir.stanford.edu/research-groups/translational-informatics.html
Zullig, L. L., Deschodt, M., & De Geest, S. (2019). Embracing implementation science: A paradigm shift for nursing research. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(1), 3-5.
Furthermore, as translational research offers the opportunity to bridge scientific knowledge and clinical practice, nurse informaticists may position themselves as key implementers of the new evidence-based protocols, providing support and IT training for nurses, given its importance in the field (Khezri & Abdekhoda, 2019), and ensuring that the systems are working properly to enhance patient outcomes. Since they can involve themselves in the implementation of these new systems, nurse informaticists may also be one of the key people to ensure data privacy of scientific knowledge and patient information through implementation of stringent guidelines on the use of translational informatics.
Finally, nurse informaticists may also add value in translational informatics by being advocates for its integration into the nursing curricula and field. By doing so, nurses will be actively involved in creating evidence-based practices and be able to easily adjust into the evolving field of healthcare.
Word count: 233 words
References:
Khezri, H., & Abdekhoda, M. (2019). Assessing nurses’ informatics competency and identifying its related factors. Journal of Research in Nursing, 24(7), 529–538. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987119839453
Young, S. (2022, January 6). A Nurse Informaticist: 3 Essential responsibilities. Health Catalyst. https://www.healthcatalyst.com/insights/nurse-informaticist-3-essential-responsibilities
In the context of precision medicine, nurse informaticists play a key role in making sure that these advancements are not only accessible but equitable across different populations. As highlighted by Tang et al. (2022), translational bioinformatics can elevate equity by ensuring that the molecular, clinical, and digital aspects of patient care are integrated effectively, particularly to reduce disparities in healthcare access. By adopting a holistic approach to data integration, nurse informaticists can help create more personalized, efficient, and equitable care, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for all patients.
Reference:
Tang, A., Woldemariam, S., Roger, J., & Sirota, M. (2022). Translational bioinformatics to enable precision medicine for all: Elevating equity across molecular, clinical, and digital realms. Yearbook of Medical Informatics, 31(1), 106-115. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1742513
According to Jayakumar & Savarimuthu (2019), Translational Research (TR) in nursing is a crucial process that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. By converting descriptive theories into patient assessment tools, explanatory theories into comprehensive assessment frameworks, and predictive theories into realistic intervention protocols, TR expands the integration of research findings into clinical practice. This approach not only enhances patient care quality and outcomes, but also reduces the time it takes for research to positively impact patient lives. Translational research fosters collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to promote knowledge exchange, innovation, and evidence-based practice. Ultimately, it aims to influence patient care policies in both hospital and community settings, leading to improved health outcomes for all.
References:
Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. (n.d.). Informatics from Technology Networks. http://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
Jayakumar, J., & Savarimuthu, R. (2019). Translational research. Indian Journal of Continuing Nursing Education, 20(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijcn.ijcn_9_19
Re: Translational Informatics
You’ve done a fantastic job highlighting the importance of Translational Research (TR) in nursing and its critical role in bridging the gap between theory and practice. I really appreciate how you broke down the process—transforming descriptive, explanatory, and predictive theories into practical tools and frameworks that directly impact patient care. Your emphasis on the collaborative nature of TR, involving researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, is spot on, as it truly highlights the interdisciplinary efforts needed to drive innovation and improve healthcare. You also make an excellent point about how TR accelerates the translation of research into real-world improvements in patient outcomes. This post does a great job showing the broader impact of translational research on health care systems and policies. Well written, Nath!
Schoenbaum, A. (2021). Nursing informatics key role in defining clinical workflow, increasing efficiency and improving quality. HIMSS. https://gkc.himss.org/resources/nursing-informatics-key-role-defining-clinical-workflow-increasing-efficiency
Translational informatics applies bioinformatics and statistical approaches to transform vast datasets from medical research, health records, clinical studies into valuable insights. Without informaticists, these data would not achieve transformation and will only be mere data. According to Fan (2019), it is common to have an overwhelming amount of data but struggle to extract insights that could drive innovation. This is where the role of nurse informaticist in evaluating data for target solutions comes into place. A nurse informaticist’s expertise bridges the gap between data and clinical application. They evaluate and communicate data to team members so that health systems can operate at optimal efficiency (Menkiena, 2021). With nurse informaticists guiding data-driven decisions, data reaches beyond data platforms to meet the healthcare team’s and patient’s needs better.
Fan, F. (2019). Technology Networks. Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
Menkiena, C. (2021, February 2). A Nurse Informaticist: 3 Essential Responsibilities. Health Catalyst. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.healthcatalyst.com/insights/nurse-informaticist-3-essential-responsibilities
References:
Guzzetti, J. (2024). Nursing Informatics. https://www.registerednursing.org/nursing-informatics/
McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. (2018). Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge, Fourth Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
The University of New Mexico. (n.d.). Informatics and Software: UNM's Translational Informatics Division. https://hsc.unm.edu/medicine/departments/internal-medicine/academic-divisions/translational_informatics/
You did an excellent job of outlining the vital role nurse informaticists play in bridging the gap between clinical practice and technology! I love how you connected their role in integrating translational informatics to improve patient outcomes. Your point about incorporating evidence-based research into health records to guide clinical decisions is particularly strong, as it highlights the real-world impact of informatics in improving care. You also made a great case for how nurse informaticists can foster collaboration through user-friendly interfaces and efficient data collection. Overall, your post provides a clear, well-rounded view of how nurse informaticists drive meaningful change in healthcare through their work with technology and research. Well said, Candice.
Translational informatics is said to be an area of science that focuses on “collecting, representing, storing, retrieving, and processing data and knowledge for improving human health,” essentially merging different areas of research with medical practice. Similarly, nursing informaticists analyze data to improve patient care and develop research and technologies that may improve nursing practice. Considering the similarities in the scope of nursing and translational informatics, one way a nurse informaticist can add value to the promises of translational informatics is through becoming involved in new areas of research such as genomics, proteomics, etc. to improve methods of patient care and corresponding outcomes. Research may also be applied in evaluating current nursing practices, determining whether their continued use is still appropriate in terms of current knowledge we have of their effectiveness.
References
Fan, F. (2019). Technology Networks. Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
Translational Bioinformatics - Biomedical Informatics and Data Science. (n.d.). University of Alabama at Birmingham. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.uab.edu/medicine/informatics/research/translational-bioinformatics
Nursing informaticists can use translational informatics, which aims to investigate and apply existing data to bridge new ways to better diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and treatment of disease, to improve patient care by applying their technological and health-related knowledge and experience. For instance, they can improve nursing practices and patient outcomes by implementing new evidence-based protocols in the current health systems. Nursing informaticists are needed to bridge the gap between research and healthcare because clinical trials are grounded in science and not all important discoveries can be effectively translated into novel interventions. The administration, governance, and stewardship of data by nursing informaticists allows researchers to retain and examine their findings in a manner that can be clinically beneficial.
References:
Hulsen, T. (2019, November 25). The ten commandments of translational research informatics—IOS Press. https://content.iospress.com/articles/data-science/ds190020
Weiss, M. E., Bobay, K. L., Johantgen, M., & Shirey, M. (n.d.). Aligning Evidence-Based Practice With Translational Research: Opportunities for Clinical Practice Research.
References
American Nurses Association. (2023, July 5). What Is Nursing Informatics and Why Is It So Important? | ANA. ANA Nursing Resources Hub. https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/nursing-informatics/
Fan Fan. (2019, February 1). Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. Technology Networks Informatics. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#
Walden University. (n.d.). What Does a Nursing Informatics Specialist Do? Walden University. https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/msn-nursing-informatics/resource/what-does-a-nursing-informatics-specialist-do
Nurse informaticists can position themselves in data integration and management, as well as in training healthcare teams, to enhance manpower and increase their knowledge in translational informatics. With their balance of clinical and technical expertise, this enables them to be more adept and immersed in the facilitation of the application of translational informatics insights to improve patient outcomes. Essentially, a nurse informaticist bridges the gap between clinical practice and data analytics, ensuring that scientific discoveries can be applied as effective treatments for patients.
Technology Networks. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
In terms of reforming nursing education, the need for the provision of educational opportunities was recognized in which its curriculum and competencies required was suggested to be improved (Buchanan et al., 2021). In addition, “opportunities to work with and learn from computing, engineering, and other interdisciplinary colleagues” was emphasized.
In terms of building nursing leadership in digital health, the concept of being advocates and investors for technology-related professions was pointed out. This is because ensuring that the “critical mass of nursing” to be literate will be a safety net of the quality of nursing.
In terms of investigating artificial intelligence in nursing practice, the aspect of ethics must be reviewed to determine the opportunities and dangers it poses. As such, the creation of new policies and guidelines must be considered in nursing practice.
In terms of re-envisioning nurse-patient relationships, the process of nurse-patient interaction must be reframed. Virtual care modalities must continuously be developed to expand its reach.
In terms of embracing digital practice, the gap between traditional nursing and modern nursing must be bridged. In this way, new models and approaches can be integrated in the delivery of care.
Reference:
- Booth et al. (2021). How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8201520/
Nurse informaticists can help add significant value in the era of transformational informatics by first fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare workers, researchers, and IT professionals. Nurses, with their firsthand clinical experiences, are well-positioned to identify the most suitable technologies for improving practices in their areas of expertise. Nurse informaticists can facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies and evidence-based practices. Finally, nurse informaticists can significantly contribute by educating and training other healthcare workers. Given that not everyone is technology-savvy and healthcare professionals are often busy, someone must take the initiative to teach others and facilitate the adoption of beneficial technologies and practices.
References:
Kleib, M., Chauvette, A., Furlong, K., Nagle, L., Slater, L., & McCloskey, R. (2021). Approaches for defining and assessing nursing informatics competencies: a scoping review. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 19(4), 794–841. https://doi.org/10.11124/jbies-20-00100
Wilson, M. L., Elias, B. L., & Moss, J. A. (2020). Education in nursing Informatics. In Computers in health care (pp. 23–43). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53813-2_3
Nurse informaticists, aside from their role in handling data, must be involved in the formation of technological tools for translational informatics. Perhaps, one could be the participation of nurse informaticists such as in the design of user interfaces for monitoring clients in the bedside care, as nurse informaticists have background knowledge on nursing care and the flow of documentation (Dykes & Chu, 2020). If there is improved efficiency in the workflow of nurses in documentation of the results from new technological devices, there also could be improved patient health outcomes as the nurse spends less time maneuvering and navigating through the devices and focuses on bedside care.
References:
Dykes, S., & Chu, C. H. (2020). Now more than ever, nurses need to be involved in technology design: lessons from the COVID‐19 pandemic. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(7–8). https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15581
Fan, F. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Javaid, M., Haleem, A., & Singh, R. P. (2024). Health informatics to enhance the healthcare industry's culture: An extensive analysis of its features, contributions, applications and limitations. Informatics and Health, 1(2), 123-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infoh.2024.05.001
Translational research aims to formulate insights based on laboratory research findings and use them to create new ways of managing disease to improve the health of the people (Wang et al., 2024). As a profession, nurses are at a strategic position for collaborating with different fields. With their expertise, nurse informaticists can participate in advancing healthcare by proposing research questions, conducting research, participating in research projects, and implementing evidence-based practice. They can also ensure that clinical feedback informs future research, and facilitate the integration of innovations in translational research (Wang et al., 2024). Overall the role of nurse informaticists in translational research enhances the development and dissemination of actionable insights across healthcare teams.
Reference:
Wang, C., Yu, W., Yang, F., Peng, F., Zhang, L., & Li, M. (2024). Cognition of Nursing Translational Medical Research among nursing practitioners in China. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 75, 180–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2023.12.020
REFERENCES:
Monteiro, I. (2024, August 16). What is a nurse informaticist and what do they do? Indeed.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-a-nurse-informaticist#:~:text=A%20nurse%20informaticist%2C%20sometimes%20referred,with%20a%20knowledge%20of%20IT.
Re: Translational Informatics
REFERENCES
Fan Fan, PhD. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
Reference:
Harrington, L. (2012, June 23). The Role of Nurse Informaticists in the Emerging Field of Clinical Intelligence. NI 2012 : 11th International Congress on Nursing Informatics, June 23-27, 2012, Montreal, Canada. International Congress in Nursing Informatics (11th : 2012 : Montreal, Quebec). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3799143/
I agree with your sentiments, Gian! It just shows how nurse informaticists indeed play a pivotal role as communicators through translating complex clinical data into comprehensible information! Like what you said, by fostering standardized vocabulary and designing tools that prioritize usability, they significantly contribute to robust health exchange and improved patient outcomes!
They could also create websites with patient engagement and education to improve patient adherence to proper treatments, maintain their health, and access their health information or status (Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, n.d.). Engaging or establishing rapport with patients is also essential in health literacy, which translational informatics may lack. Lastly, they could also stay up to date with current technological advancements and conduct research to assess the success of interventions (Carlow University, 2022).
References:
Carlow University. (2022, August 5). What is the role of Nursing Informatics: Carlow Online. https://online.carlow.edu/resources/article/role-of-nursing-informatics/
Center for Biomedical Informatics Research. (n.d.). Translational Informatics. https://bmir.stanford.edu/research-groups/translational-informatics.html
However, one of the challenges of translational informatics is the storage and analysis of large amounts of data. Nurse informaticists can work closely with IT professionals to identify and implement/adapt appropriate storage systems or platforms that are capable of handling large datasets without sacrificing speed, accuracy, or privacy. Given the amount of data involved, it is important to select technologies that can specifically process and analyze all the information efficiently while still maintaining data integrity.
The focus on privacy and security in translational informatics is also crucial as healthcare providers must be stewards and protectors of sensitive patient data. Nurse informaticists can reinforce these by adhering to strict guidelines and ethical standards on data storage, sharing, and even disposal. They can help ensure that patient information is handled with utmost care, maintaining confidentiality and compliance with legal frameworks all throughout.
Reference:
Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. (2019, February 21). https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
REFERENCE:
McDonough CW, Breitenstein MK, Shahin M, Empey PE, Freimuth RR, Li L, Liebman M, Tuteja S. Translational Informatics Connects Real-World Information to Knowledge in an Increasingly Data-Driven World. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2020 Apr;107(4):738-741. doi: 10.1002/cpt.1719. Epub 2019 Dec 14. PMID: 31837229; PMCID: PMC7678684.
Jiang et al. 2022 discussed that to emphasize the transformation of data into meaningful outcomes (particularly in the medical setting), translational informatics aims to close the gaps between bench research and clinical application. Accordingly, nurse informatics is crucial in collaborating with multidisciplinary fields to tailor informatics solutions that align with clinical workflows and processes. This then facilitates adapting evidence-based practices and data integration in the clinical setting (Zadvinskis et al., 2018).
Accordingly, nurse informatics can leverage data analytics and information technology to improve the quality of patient care, predict desirable outcomes, and support precision medicine initiatives. Aside from that, they can also engage in educating and training other healthcare providers on new tools and practices that align with translational goals, leading to stronger overall data literacy within the clinical teams (Rantz et al., 2019). Through these efforts, informatics contribute to realizing translational informatics’ promise—driving improvements in patient care and operational efficiencies.
References:
Jiang, J., Zheng, M., & Wang, H. (2022). Translational informatics in healthcare: A comprehensive review. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 104, 103-119.
Zadvinskis, I. M., Smith, R., & Trehearne, B. (2018). Nurse informaticists and data-driven decision making: Leveraging translational research and big data analytics. Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 36(4), 187-192.
Rantz, M. J., Skubic, M., Abbott, C., & Galambos, C. (2019). Health informatics integration in translational research: Opportunities for nurse informaticists in promoting data-driven care. Nursing Outlook, 67(3), 257-263.
Nurse informaticists play a key role in translating complex data insights into practical patient care. They help to produce personalized therapy and improve patient outcomes by transforming complex data from a variety of sources, including genetics and electronic health records, into meaningful information.
One of the most significant contributions of nurse informaticists is to improve data management and integration. They can efficiently organize and evaluate large, diverse datasets, ensuring that they meet clinical workflows and real-world patient needs. They provide valuable insights to frontline healthcare practitioners by incorporating translational data into clinical decision support systems (CDSS).
Furthermore, nurse informaticists play an important role in maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy. They have robust data security protocols in place to protect sensitive information.
Collaboration is important in translational informatics. Nurse informaticists foster clear communication and mutual understanding by serving as effective liaisons between clinical teams and data scientists. Data-driven insights serve to advance personalized medicine and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes by ensuring that they are clinically relevant and scientifically valid.
To summarize, nurse informaticists play an important role in translational informatics. They bridge the gap between complex data and clinical practice, allowing healthcare practitioners to make more informed decisions and give the best possible patient care. As the healthcare landscape changes, nurse informaticists will become increasingly crucial in shaping the future of medicine.
Reference:
Fan Fan. (2019, February). Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks; Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
I agree with your insights, Pauline! I appreciate that you highlighted the importance of collaboration in the practice of informatics, specifically in translational informatics. The weight that effective communication and mutual understanding bears to carry out effective data translation should always be kept in check to ensure that patient outcomes are met and that all interventions and data are utilized significantly.
Additionally, according to Carroll (2022), nursing informaticists would also advocate for the presence of patient-centered safety and usability during technology development stages. They would consider bringing to light any form of safety and ethical concern there may be. Thus, they work closely with healthcare teams and IT developers. New technologies must meet both regulatory standards and clinical needs at the same time to engender a culture of quality and safety in healthcare technology use. Because these professionals know the intricacies of health care delivery and the potential capabilities of informatics, they help mitigate some of the risks associated with data security and patient confidentiality, thereby improving usability and rate of adoption and thus increasing the potential quality improvements for patients.
References:
- Carroll, W. (2022, January 13). Nursing informaticists safeguarding the use of emerging technologies. HIMSS. Retrieved from https://gkc.himss.org/resources/nursing-informaticists-safeguarding-use-emerging-technologies
- Schoenbaum, A. (2022, May 16). Nursing Informatics Key role in defining clinical workflow, increasing efficiency and improving quality. HIMSS. Retrieved from https://gkc.himss.org/resources/nursing-informatics-key-role-defining-clinical-workflow-increasing-efficiency-and
The growth of technology over the years is undeniable as it continues to help improve our lives and its different aspects. Its resonance with healthcare and medicine has made numerous breakthroughs that helped medical professionals and practitioners in providing care with their patients. Moreso, translational informatics has emerged as a new avenue for biomedical data to inform and analyze predictive, preventive and personalized care outcomes (Stanford University School of Medicine, n.d.). It has become pivotal in advanced data science methods such as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) with the influx of biological data from opportunities rooted on efforts of discovering patient-centered interventions (McDonough, 2019). With this in mind, the question now lies with nurses and other healthcare professionals as to how they can position themselves to keep up and contribute substantially to the emerging prowess of such innovations. According to Booth et al. (2021), nurse informaticists can venture into deep, continuous learning that can immediately transform their practice and efforts into digitally inclined responses to complex global challenges facing their respective patients and community stakeholders. For example, they can expand their expertise and competencies by furthering nursing education and practice through learning technologies better. Mobile devices enable nurses to offer remote consultation and treatment with their patients as well as provide supplementation with their learning efforts and ease of content delivery and remote learning opportunities.
REFERENCES:
Booth, R. G., Strudwick, G., McBride, S., O’Connor, S., & Solano López, A. L. (2021). How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. BMJ, 373(1190). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1190
McDonough, C. W., Breitenstein, M. K., Shahin, M., Empey, P. E., Freimuth, R. R., Li, L., Liebman, M., & Sony Tuteja. (2019). Translational Informatics Connects Real‐World Information to Knowledge in an Increasingly Data‐Driven World. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 107(4), 738–741. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt.1719
Stanford University School of Medicine (n.d.). Translational Informatics. Center for Biomedical Informatics Research. https://bmir.stanford.edu/research-groups/translational-informatics.html
References
Fan, F. (2019, February 21). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Technology Networks Informatics. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Guzzetti, J. (2024, May 30). What is nursing informatics & how to become a nurse informaticist. Registered Nursing.org. https://www.registerednursing.org/nursing-informatics/
Nurse informaticists, with their extensive knowledge in both clinical practice and technology (Menkiena, 2021), will be able to contribute substantially to the promises of informatics by bridging gaps, refining interventions, and facilitating the usage of evidence-based practice.
This may be done by partnering with the appropriate health professionals for data collection and selecting the necessary data to lead and envision the interventions for various problems (The Nurse Informaticist Role Evolves to Lead Data Analytics and Accountable Care, 2023). Another example is how nurse informaticists were able to gather and select information to refine the workflow and systems for electronic health delivery during the pandemic (Kennedy, 2024; Menkiena, 2021).
REFERENCES:
Kennedy, S. (2024, October 7). Breaking down the 7 types of health informatics | TechTarget. Healthtech Analytics. https://www.techtarget.com/healthtechanalytics/feature/Breaking-down-types-of-health-informatics
Menkiena, C. (2021, February 2). A Nurse Informaticist: 3 Essential Responsibilities. https://www.healthcatalyst.com/insights/nurse-informaticist-3-essential-responsibilities
The nurse informaticist role evolves to lead data analytics and accountable care. (2023, November 20). Wolters Kluwer. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/leadership-opportunities-for-nurse-informaticists-bridge-data-technology-and-nursing-science
Nurse informaticists have a unique role, especially with translational informatics helping to make research findings more usable in real-world clinical settings. Fan (2019) explains that the whole goal of translational informatics is to take data from research and lab work and turn it into something useful for patient care. Nurse informaticists can play a huge part here by making sure that all the data collected is accurate and organized, so it can actually be used in care settings.
Nurse informaticists also help make these tools easier for everyone to use. Since they understand both the clinical and technological sides, they can teach other healthcare staff how to use informatics tools effectively. And, by collaborating with research teams, they can make sure that the data is relevant and helpful in real-life healthcare. As more data gets integrated, nurse informaticists can advocate for a holistic approach to patient care that aligns with the goal of translational informatics, which is a more personalized treatment (Fan, 2019).
References:
- Fan, F. (2019). Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
References:
Faustorilla, J. F. (2022). Establishing a Pathway to Define Nursing Informatics Practice: Defining a Clear Scope of the Specialty Practice. Journal of Health and Caring Sciences, 3(2). https://journalofhealthandcaringsciences.org/index.php/jhcs/article/view/83.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2021). Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://academic.oup.com/jamia/article/23/4/835/2201104.
Nursing informaticist has the ability to advance the practice of nursing to keep pace with the fast-driven world of technologies. With their knowledge on what the medical professionals need and what the patient deserve, this will fuel them to innovate for the better healthcare delivery of the patient and also a better work environment for healthcare facilities. Najjar (2022) stated, “Several benefits are evident…minimization of medical errors, timely diagnosis, and the efficiency of care services, improved communication between the healthcare providers and the patients, and drivers for research and integration of more advanced technologies aiming at improving healthcare quality.”
Najjar, R. I. A. (2022). Impact of Nursing Informatics on the Quality of Patient Care. International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research Studies, 02(05). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmscrs/v2-i5-19
Hi, Matthew! We have the same sentiment that nursing informaticists can promote evidence-based practices, which is highly crucial and relevant to today's society to make healthcare delivery more efficient and effective.
Nurse informaticists can position themselves to add value in translational informatics by enhancing their data literacy and understanding of electronic health records (EHRs), which are crucial for optimizing patient care. They should focus on bridging the gap between clinical practice and data management, ensuring that healthcare teams can effectively utilize data for decision-making and workflow improvements. By collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, they can facilitate the implementation of evidence-based practices and promote patient-centered outcomes. Additionally, engaging in continuous education about emerging technologies and advocating for policy changes that support informatics integration will empower nurse informaticists to drive meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery. Their role is vital in transforming data into actionable insights that enhance care quality and efficiency.
References
- Darvish A, Bahramnezhad F, Keyhanian S, Navidhamidi M. The role of nursing informatics on promoting quality of health care and the need for appropriate education. Glob J Health Sci. 2014 Jun 25;6(6):11-8. doi: 10.5539/gjhs.v6n6p11. PMID: 25363114; PMCID: PMC4825491.
- Kennedy, S. (2024, October 7). Breaking down the 7 types of health informatics. Healthtech Analytics. https://www.techtarget.com/healthtechanalytics/feature/Breaking-down-types-of-health-informatics
- McDonough CW, Breitenstein MK, Shahin M, Empey PE, Freimuth RR, Li L, Liebman M, Tuteja S. Translational Informatics Connects Real-World Information to Knowledge in an Increasingly Data-Driven World. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2020 Apr;107(4):738-741. doi: 10.1002/cpt.1719. Epub 2019 Dec 14. PMID: 31837229; PMCID: PMC7678684.
Nurse informaticists play a vital role in advancing translational informatics by combining clinical knowledge with expertise in data management to enhance patient outcomes. Translational informatics connects laboratory research and clinical care, using large datasets like electronic health records (EHRs) and genomic data to generate actionable insights. Nurse informaticists contribute by ensuring these data are effectively analyzed and applied to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers, supporting the development of precision medicine approaches (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2024).
These professionals add value by managing complex data while maintaining a focus on patient-centered care. They streamline clinical workflows by designing and implementing tools to integrate genomic and clinical data on a large scale. For instance, nurse informaticists could facilitate projects like Regeneron’s collaboration with Geisinger, which demonstrated how genomic data improves diagnosis and treatment. By ensuring secure and compliant data-sharing platforms, they also address privacy and regulatory challenges, enabling effective collaboration in translational research (De Grande & Perez, 2024).
Additionally, nurse informaticists serve as bridges between multidisciplinary teams, ensuring research remains focused on practical, patient-centered outcomes. Their work in global collaborative projects helps overcome obstacles related to data sharing and integration. By aligning research findings with clinical practice, they support the translation of discoveries into personalized treatment strategies. Nurse informaticists ultimately enable healthcare systems to utilize translational informatics more effectively, fostering progress in precision medicine and improving patient care.
References:
- DeGrande, H., & Perez III, M. (2024). Re-visioning of a Nursing Informatics Course With Translational Pedagogy. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 42(11), 796-801.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2024). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
References:
Cantor, M. N. (2012). Translational informatics: an industry perspective. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 19(2), 153–155. https://doi.org/10.1136/amiajnl-2011-000588
Challenges and promises of Translational Informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. (n.d.). https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
According to the Center for Biomedical Informatics Research (n.d.), translational informatics focuses on studying and analyzing existing data to bridge new ways in improving the diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and treatment of disease. In this way, nurse informaticists can add significant value in leveraging this subject in the use of electronic health records and research driven studies that can help develop evidence- based interventions in tailored patient needs. Learning these information tools and systems can significantly help in advocating for a user friendly improvement to their patients coupled with improved health literacy and increased patient engagement.
References:
Center for Biomedical Informatics Research (n.d.). Translational Informatics. https://bmir.stanford.edu/research-groups/translational-informatics.html
Menkiena, C. (2021). The Three Essential Responsibilities of a Nurse Informaticist. https://www.healthcatalyst.com/insights/nurse-informaticist-3-essential-responsibilities#:~:text=A%20nurse%20informaticist%20provides%20information,chance%20of%20optimal%20care%20delivery.
Take for example the seminar that we had with Professor Fisher, wherein through the numerous research papers on the use of AI in healthcare, we are able to discover that it can have the potential to guide in the reading of radiologic results. With this discovery, we can create a system that can integrate nursing implications to the results provided by the AI to make sure that nurses are guided in the delivery of care and extra precautions are taken to ensure the safety of patients.
Reference:
Stanford Center for Biomedical Informatics Research. (n.d.). Translational informatics. Stanford University. https://bmir.stanford.edu/research-groups/translational-informatics.html
Reference:
Technology Networks. (2018). Challenges and promises of translational informatics. Retrieved from https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890#:~:text=For%20healthcare%2C%20translational%20research%20seeks,patient%20outcomes%2C%20often%20through%20the
Translational Informatics focuses on analyzing and utilizing existing data to develop innovative approaches for enhancing disease diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and treatment (Translational Informatics, n.d.).Nurse informaticists are uniquely positioned to advance healthcare through the power of translational informatics. By combining clinical expertise with data management and technology, they can enhance evidence-based care, optimize clinical workflows, improve patient safety, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and drive innovation in research (Carlow University Online, 2022). Through their work, they can streamline processes, reduce errors, and ensure timely interventions. Additionally, they can facilitate communication among healthcare teams, leading to more coordinated and effective care. Ultimately, nurse informaticists play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing the potential of technology to improve patient care and drive innovation.
References:
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Carlow University Online. (2022, August 5). Leveraging Technology for Better Care: The role of nursing informatics in medicine. Carlow University. https://online.carlow.edu/resources/article/role-of-nursing-informatics/
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Translational Informatics. (n.d.). Center for Biomedical Informatics Research. https://bmir.stanford.edu/research-groups/translational-informatics.html
Fan, F. (2019, February 1). Challenges and Promises of Translational Informatics. Informatics from Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/blog/challenges-promises-of-translational-informatics-314890
A nurse informaticist plays a vital role in enhancing patient care and healthcare quality by integrating technology into various areas of nursing, including practice, management, research, and education. This integration starts with building essential skills in computer usage and informatics knowledge. For example, having a deep understanding of electronic health records (EHRs) can boost patient safety and improve workflow efficiency. Tools such as clinical decision support systems and electronic scheduling programs help in managing resources better and freeing up more time for direct patient interaction (Darvish et al., 2014). Their involvement with online technologies—like telemedicine, telemonitoring, and virtual education—also broadens health professionals' access to care and training.
Nurse informaticists enhance nursing education by developing courses incorporating technology and using simulation tools for practical learning. Through their research efforts and digital health projects, they support the field of big data science and apply research findings directly to clinical settings. Managing and analyzing healthcare data allows for well-informed decision-making, improving care quality. By facilitating effective communication and ensuring different healthcare systems can work together, nurse informaticists help maintain a continuum of care. Their contributions are crucial for advancing healthcare systems and aligning technology with patient care needs (Park et al., 2022).
Furthermore, nurse informaticists can lead the charge in developing clinical intelligence (CI) by merging their nursing knowledge with technological advancements. Improving communication and documentation, helps healthcare delivery become more efficient. Their involvement in rolling out and optimizing EHRs ensures that the necessary technical infrastructure is solidly in place. Their expertise in data analysis, commitment to evidence-based practices, and ability to initiate system-wide improvements are all vital in translating informatics research into tangible healthcare enhancements (Franjić, 2020). Overall, nurse informaticists are key players in harnessing technology to improve patient care, streamline healthcare systems, and support ongoing enhancements in clinical practice.
References
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