View source for Clinical Informatics Training and Career Opportunities for Physicians – United States

'''Clinical Informatics''' is “the medical specialty involved in the use and management of information generated by patient care, clinical research, and electronic health records systems.” [1,2] Likewise a Clinical Informatician is a clinician (physician or non-physician) with either formal training or extensive job experience in informatics. [3] This article will cover informatics training options and career pathways for physicians in the United States.  


== '''Training in Clinical Informatics''' ==

Physicians can obtain formal training in clinical informatics through the following: 

'''AMIA 10 X 10''' [4] 

The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) in collaboration with the Oregon Health State University (OHSU) offers the AMIA 10 X 10 course for clinicians and non-clinicians who are interested in pursuing a career in health informatics. The name 10 X 10 came from the original intent to train 10,000 health professionals in informatics by 2010. This introductory course covers a wide range of informatics topics such as computing concepts, electronic health records, interoperability, and artificial intelligence. It is taught online with an optional in-person session.  

'''Graduate Degree in Clinical Informatics''' [2,3] 

Graduate certificates and master's in Clinical Informatics are offered by many schools. The core competencies for graduate medical education in Biomedical Informatics (BMI) have been defined by the AMIA. Those who are interested in pursuing a career in informatics research or academia may seek a doctorate in philosophy (PhD) in BMI.  

'''AMIA Health Informatics Certification (AHIC)''' [5] 

Certification in health informatics through AMIA is available for candidates with qualifying work experience and graduate degree in health informatics or health informatics related field. Physicians who spent 50%-100% of their work time in health informatics for 6 years within the past 8 years or 20%-49% of their work time in health informatics for 8 years within the past 10 years are eligible to take the AHIC exam. 

'''Fellowship in Clinical Informatics''' [2,3,6,7,8] 

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) offers funding for postdoctoral fellowships in Biomedical Informatics. The funding is limited to candidates who are US citizens or green card holders. NLM sponsored postdoctoral fellowships usually take 1 to 2 years to complete and open to physicians and non-physicians doctoral-level degree holders. 

With the recognition of clinical informatics as a medical subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in 2007, a new clinical fellowship came to light. Since 2013, the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) and the American board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) have been offering board certification in Clinical Informatics. A valid license to practice medicine, in any state, and primary board certification, in any specialty, are core requirement for board certification. The ABPM offers two pathways to achieve subspecialty board certification in Clinical Informatics: 1- Practice Pathway and 2- Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-Accredited Fellowship Pathway. Practice pathway is open through the year 2025, afterward completion of 24-month ACGME-accredited fellowship will be required for board certification. As of 2018, there are more than 30 ACGME-accredited Clinical Informatics fellowship programs. In 2019, there were more than 1800 board certified physicians in informatics.

== '''Career Pathways''' [3,9] ==

Career opportunities for physicians in clinical informatics are rapidly growing and evolving. There are 3 major career pathways for physician informaticists:  

1- '''Operational informatics''': Chief Medical Informatic Officer (CMIO) is a leadership role in many healthcare organization. It is typically filled by a physician with experience in clinical informatics. The role of CMIO is to serve as the bridge between medical staff and clinical information systems.  

2- '''Industry''': some physician informaticists may choose to work with healthcare technology startups and companies. As medical experts, they can help with developing and promoting new technological products.  

3- '''Academic Clinical Informatics and research''': In this role, physician informaticists focus on medical research and education.  


'''Summary'''
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There are multiple pathways for physicians to gain formal training in clinical informatics in the United States ranging from graduate degree to fellowship training. Board certification in Clinical Informatics is new and continues to grow rapidly. Career opportunities are diverse and include working for healthcare organizations, healthcare technology companies and academic centers.


'''References'''  
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[1] Smith SE, Drake LE, Harris JB, Watson K, Pohlner PG. Clinical Informatics: A Workforce Priority for 21st Century Healthcare. Australian health review 2011 Jun 1,;35(2):130-135. 

[2] Lee R, Hitt J, Hobika GG, Nader ND. The Case for the Anesthesiologist-Informaticist. JMIR Perioper Med 2022;5(1).
 
[3] Hersh WR, Hoyt RE. Health Informatics: Practical Guide, Seventh Edition. : Lulu; 2018. 

[4] https://amia.org/education-events/amia-10x10-virtual-courses

[5] https://amia.org/careers-certifications/amia-health-informatics-certification-ahic

[6] https://www.theabpm.org/become-certified/subspecialties/clinical-informatics/

[7] https://www.emra.org/books/fellowship-guide-book/informatics/#:~:text=Currently%20there%20are%2031%20ACGME,1%2D2%20fellows%20per%20year.&text=You%20must%20be%20board%20eligible,ABMS%20approved%20specialty%20to%20apply.

[8] https://www.hcinnovationgroup.com/clinical-it/news/21079314/amia-surveys-physicians-certified-in-clinical-informatics-subspecialty

[9] Finnell JT. Clinical informatics study guide. Cham <<[u.a.]>>: Springer; 2016. 

Submitted by Mohammed Abdelaziz
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