Informatics and Knowledge Management Directorate

What is health informatics?

Health informatics encompasses the capturing, processing and modelling of health-related information. It is the integration of computer science, information science, networking and communication with the aim of improving health.

Researchers in the field of health informatics study the effectiveness of health information systems - both to compare various systems and to improve existing systems. They also investigate to how effectively health information is communicated to end users - whether the messages are understood, and have the desired effect.

Every time someone accesses health care in South Africa, information systems play an important role. Information about each patient has to be captured correctly and should be regularly updated to ensure that patients receive the correct treatment at the right time, and that their progress is monitored.

In South Africa today, health information systems at most levels of our health system are increasingly becoming computer based. Although this is greatly increasing South Africa’s capacity to deliver health services, there are some systems that are not functioning as they should.

These inefficient or faulty systems hamper the effective management of our health system and can eventually pose a threat to the health of our nation. In addition, they are implemented using large sums of money, underlining the importance of ensuring that they work and achieve the objectives for which they have been designed.

To date, little knowledge exists that can explain the failure of some health information systems or why other systems succeed.

Health informatics at the MRC
The MRC Health Informatics Research and Development Co-ordination Division (HIRD), a division of the MRC Informatics and Knowledge Management Directorate, undertakes a wide range of health informatics research and related activities.

The research done by HIRD addresses the problems surrounding computerised and manual information systems for both patient care and management. Our research also aims to develop technologies that can bring health services closer to people where they live, especially in rural environments.

Overall, the goal of health informatics research at the MRC is to support, inform and guide health information systems planning and decision making, as well as health information systems policy, in South Africa and in the rest of Africa.

Our work consists of the following:

• Conducting relevant studies to find IT solutions for health problems.
• Providing guidelines for implementation of health information systems.
• Giving feedback to managers and implementers of health information systems by engaging in formative evaluation studies.
• Providing knowledge and medical terms to increase understanding between patients and doctors.
• Presenting courses and other forms of training in health informatics for health workers, managers and information managers.