Suman Mazumder

Radiology & Imaging Technology

Basic of Health Informatics
Spring-2021
1. What is database management system? Write down the application of database
management system?
Database Management System: A database management system (DBMS) is a collection of
interrelated data and a set of programs to access those data.
Database System Applications:
Banking: For customer information, accounts, loans, banking transactions.
Airlines/Railways/Road Transport: For ticket reservation, schedules and routes.
Universities: For student information, courses and grades (education management).
Credit card transaction: For purchases on credit card, monthly statement generation
Telecommunication: For keeping records of call made, generating monthly bills, maintaining
balances on prepaid calling cards, storing information about the communication networks.
Finance: For storing information about holdings, sales, and purchases of financial instruments
such as stocks and bonds; also for storing real-time market data to enable on-line trading by
customers and automated trading by the firm.
Sales: For customer, product and purchase information.

2. Write down the Hierarchy of data?

Hierarchy of Data:
Bit: a bit is the smallest unit of data representation (value of a bit may be a 0 or 1). Eight bits
make a byte which can represent a character or a special symbol in a character code.
Field: A field consists of a grouping of characters. A data field represents an attribute (a
characteristic or quality) of some entity (object, person, place, or event).
Record: A record represents a collection of attributes that describe a real- world entity. A
record consists of fields, with each field describing an attribute of the entity.
File: A group of related records. Files are frequently classified by the application for which they
are primarily used (employee file). A primary key in a file is the field (or fields) whose value
identifies a record among others in a data file.
Database: Is an integrated collection of logically related records or files.

3. How data repository system works in Hc?

In healthcare, a data repository system acts as a central hub for storing, managing, and
accessing large amounts of patient information from various sources. It's like a secure library
for all your health data, but much more powerful! Here's how it works:
Data Input:
It collects data from different healthcare systems, including electronic medical records (EMRs),
imaging systems, lab results, pharmacy systems, and even wearables.
The data is then processed and standardized to ensure consistency and compatibility.
Data Storage: The system securely stores the data in a centralized location, ensuring its
integrity and accessibility.
This eliminates data silos and makes it easier to access information from different providers
and sources.
Data Access:
Authorized healthcare professionals can access the data through a secure platform, allowing
them to:
View a patient's complete medical history in one place.
Generate reports and perform data analysis for research and quality improvement.
Improve clinical decision-making by having access to a more comprehensive patient picture.

4. What is information security? Write down some ethical issues for safety and security in
health care?
Information Security: Information security, often abbreviated as InfoSec, is the practice of
protecting information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification,
perusal, inspection, recording or destruction.
Ethical Issues for Safety and Security:
1. Patient Privacy and Confidentiality:
Ethical Issue: Balancing the need to share patient information among healthcare professionals
for effective care while maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of patients.
Concerns: Unauthorized access, breaches, or inappropriate sharing of patient information can
violate privacy rights and erode trust.
2. Informed Consent:
Ethical Issue: Obtaining valid and informed consent from patients before any medical
procedures, treatments, or data collection.
Concerns: Without proper consent, patients may feel their autonomy is compromised, and
ethical principles related to respect for persons are violated.
3. Data Security and Cybersecurity:
Ethical Issue: Protecting patient data and health information from unauthorized access, data
breaches, and cyber threats.
Concerns: Breaches can lead to harm for patients, identity theft, and compromise the integrity
of healthcare systems.
4. Resource Allocation and Rationing:
Ethical Issue: Deciding how to allocate limited resources, such as medical supplies or
personnel, especially during crises or emergencies.
Concerns: Ensuring fairness, transparency, and equity in resource distribution to prevent
discrimination and promote justice.
5. Patient Safety Reporting:
Ethical Issue: Encouraging healthcare professionals to report safety incidents, errors, or near-
misses without fear of retribution.
Concerns: A culture of blame or punishment can discourage reporting, hindering opportunities
for learning and improvement in patient safety.

5. Public health informatics (Definition, Steps).

Definition: Public Health Informatics refers to the systematic application of information and
computer science and technology to public health practice, research, and learning.
Steps:
- Data Collection
- Data Management
- Data Analysis
- Data Interpretation
- Information Dissemination
- Decision Support
- Surveillance and Monitoring
- Interoperability
- Policy Development
- Education and Training

6. What is Health Informatics?

”The science regarding ways to define, collect, organize and analyze medical and healthcare
information”
Here medical used to refer clinical (medicine) and healthcare used to refer other intervention
ex. people, care facility, care delivery, organization (hospital) etc.

7. Write down 5 common challenges in Healthcare?

Common challenges in Healthcare
- Finance
- Shortage of resources
- Mismanagement
- Healthcare policy
- Patient waiting time
- Lack of MIS.
- Increasing aging population

8. What is PACS?
A picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is a medical imaging technology which
provides economical storage and convenient access to images from multiple modalities.
9. What is STEEEP?
STEEEP is an acronym that stands for Safe, Timely, Effective, Efficient, Equitable, and Patient-
Centered. It is often used in the context of healthcare to describe a set of principles and goals
that healthcare organizations and providers should aim to achieve in order to deliver high-
quality care.

10. What STEEEP stands for?

STEEEP stands for Safe, Timely, Effective, Efficient, Equitable, and Patient-centered care.

11. What is Knowledge? Write types of knowledge.

Knowledge is often defined as a “justified personal belief.”
There are mainly two types of knowledge
- Tacit Knowledge
- Explicit Knowledge

12. Give one real life example for each type of Knowledge.
For example: Bicycle -> Learn how to (learning Curve) -> Tacit Knowledge (hidden within
person’s mind) -> Explicit knowledge (documents).

13. Show the difference between data, information and knowledge with real life example.
- Data is the raw, unprocessed facts.
- Information is processed data that provides context and meaning.
- Knowledge is the understanding and application of information to solve problems or make
decisions.

14. Definition of Knowledge Management (KM)? Why KM is important in Healthcare?

“Knowledge management involves the acquisition, storage, retrieval, application, generation,
and review of the knowledge assets of an organization in a controlled way.
Knowledge Management in healthcare boosts
- Patient outcomes: better diagnosis, fewer errors, personalized care.
- Efficiency: less wasted time, smarter decisions, teamwork.
- Patient satisfaction: informed choices, better communication, continuous learning

15. Define Knowledge Management main activities?

Knowledge Management Activities:
1. Acquire knowledge (learn, create, or identify);
2. Analyze knowledge (assess, validate, or value);
3. Preserve knowledge (organize, represent, or maintain);
4. Use knowledge (apply, transfer, or share)..

16. What do you mean by Organizational Learning?

- OL to focus on the process, and KM to focus on the content, of the knowledge that an
organization acquires, creates, processes and eventually uses.
- OL as the goal of KM.

17. How can you represent knowledge? Write down the name of two knowledge
representation tool.
Knowledge can be represented through textual documents, visual tools like graphs and
diagrams, models, databases, semantic networks, ontologies, algorithms, concept maps,
symbolic representation, and human memory and experience.
Name of two knowledge representation tool:
- Cmap
- Ontology

18. What is ICD-10? What is the purpose of this coding?

ICD-10: ICD stands for International Classification of Diseases. This classification system has
been developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). ICD is used worldwide for morbidity
and mortality statistics, reimbursement systems and automated decision support in medicine.
Purpose of this coding
- Standardization: Ensures consistent recording and reporting of diagnoses across different
healthcare settings and countries
- Data analysis: Enables tracking of disease trends, resource allocation, and research
- Billing and reimbursement: Used by insurance companies to process claims and determine
payment

19. What is Evidence based medicine?

Evidence based medicine (is the conscientious, explicit, judicious and reasonable use of
modern, best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients
=> EBM integrates clinical experience and patient values with the best available research
information
=> It is a movement which aims to increase the use of high quality clinical research in clinical
decision making
20. What is CDSS? What is the need of CDSS?
CDSS: Clinical decision support (CDS) provides clinicians, staff, patients or other individuals
with knowledge and person specific information, intelligently filtered or presented at
appropriate times, to enhance health and health care.
CDS has a number of important benefits, including:
=> Increased quality of care and enhanced health outcomes
=> Avoidance of errors and adverse events
=> Improved efficiency, cost benefit, and provider and patient satisfaction

21. Define e-Health, Telemedicine and Tele-health and mHealth.

e-Health: e-Health refers to the use of the Internet for the transmission of medical
information.
Telemedicine: Telemedicine refers to the use of information and telecommunications
technologies to exchange clinical information.
Telehealth: Telehealth (TH) is the result of that exchange. By definition, telehealth involves a
separation of distance and/or time between a patient and a diagnosing or treating clinician.
mHealth: mHealth (also written as m-health) is an abbreviation for mobile health, a term used
for medicine and public health practice supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phones,
patient monitoring devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other wireless devices
(WHO).

22. Scopes of eHealth.

The scopes of eHealth include electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, mobile health
(mHealth), health information exchange (HIE), health analytics and big data, digital imaging
and diagnostics, health information systems, e-learning for healthcare professionals, remote
patient monitoring (RPM), block chain applications in healthcare, and public health
informatics. These technologies aim to enhance health and healthcare delivery through the
use of information and communication technologies.

23. What do you understand by synchronous and asynchronous telehealth?

Synchronous Telehealth: Real-time communication (e.g., video calls, live chat) between
healthcare providers and patients. Immediate interaction, suitable for urgent situations.
Asynchronous Telehealth: Non-real-time communication (e.g., messaging, store-and-forward)
with a time delay. Offers flexibility for communication at different times, suitable for non-
urgent matters.
24. Why telehealth is important in the present day context?
Here are key reasons why telehealth is important:
- Connects the unconnected: Reaches rural areas, helps those with mobility issues, tackles
stigmas.
- Saves time and resources: Cuts down on wait times, promotes remote monitoring, fits busy
schedules.
- Protects everyone: Minimizes disease transmission, offers quicker care in emergencies, and
provides mental health support during crises.
- Tech fuels innovation: Expanding internet access, AI chatbots, wearable devices all boost
remote care.

25. Scopes and challenges of Telemedicine.

Scope: The scope of telemedicine is narrower than that of tele-health, and refers specifically to
the provision of health care services and education over a distance, through the use of
telecommunications technology.
Challenges:
•Lack of reimbursement
•Licensing and Credentialing issues
•Liability
•Privacy
•Infrastructure
•End-user Issues

26. Significance of EMR in improving a country’s healthcare system.

For Patients:
- Smooth care journey: No more hunting for records across doctors.
- Fewer mistakes: Less risk of wrong meds or duplicate tests.
- Empowered patients: Take charge of your health with easier access to your data.
For Public Health:
- Fast outbreak response: Spot disease trends early and act quickly.
- Smarter policies: Use data to guide healthcare decisions and interventions.
-Targeted care: Identify high-risk groups and focus resources where needed.
For the System:
- Less paperwork: Save time and money on administrative tasks.
- Smarter resource allocation: Use data to get the most out of doctors, equipment, and more.
- Reduced costs: Prevent unnecessary tests and procedures.
27. Name 5 telemedicine devices.
- Digital Cameras for Dermatology
- Digital Stethoscopes
- Telehealth Kiosks
- Remote Patient Monitoring Devices
- Digital Otoscopes

28. Telemedicine Applications.

1. Remote Consultation
2. Remote Monitoring
3. Remote Education
4. Telementoring

29. Why m-health promises to be a winning solution?

•Overall, more people —nearly everyone —has access to a mobile, while some percent of the
population does not have desktop Web access.
•Phones are always on, computers are not
•Carrying a Phone/Tablet is part of a modern lifestyle
•Low network maintenance
•Remote monitoring in rural areas
•Using a small portable multi-communication computing device is convenient, economical,
practical and personal
•mHealth is more personal.

30. Task shifting by using mHealth.

mHealth task shifting: Reshuffling healthcare tasks with mobile tech.
- Doctors remotely consult: Telemedicine connects patients and specialists, even in remote
areas.
- Chronic disease management: Patients track vitals, medication, and get remote support from
nurses or community workers.
- Community health workers empowered: Training, tools, and data collection apps boost their
skills and reach.
- Patients take control: Health info, appointment booking, and medication reminders put them
in charge.
- Disease surveillance: Quick data collection and contact tracing for faster outbreak response.
31. mHealth for Social and Behavioral change communication .
•Appointment reminders
•Health education or promotion
•Hotlines and information services
•Mass messaging campaigns
•Treatment adherence

32. How telemedicine is utilized in a biosensor network for monitoring health?

Telemedicine, integrated with biosensor networks, enables continuous remote health
monitoring. Biosensors collect real-time data on vital signs, which is securely transmitted to
healthcare providers. Telemedicine platforms facilitate virtual consultations, personalized
healthcare plans, and early intervention based on biosensor data. This integrated approach
improves patient outcomes, reduces hospital visits, and enhances healthcare accessibility.

33. How does telemedicine play an important role in treating psychiatry? Give example.
Telepsychiatry, another aspect of telemedicine, also utilizes videoconferencing for patients
residing in underserved areas to access psychiatric services. It offers wide range of services to
the patients and providers, such as consultation between the psychiatrists, educational clinical
program, diagnosis and assessment, medication therapy management, etc.

34. Do you thing telemedicine can be employed successfully in dermatology?

Yes, telemedicine is successfully employed in dermatology, leveraging visual assessments
through images or live video consultations. It provides convenience for patients, supports
follow-up appointments, enables quick triage, facilitates efficient referrals, allows remote
prescriptions, and promotes education and prevention. Dedicated tele dermatology platforms
enhance virtual dermatology consultations, making it an effective and accessible model of
care.

35. What does tele-radiology mean? Explain with one example.

Tele-radiology: Tele-radiology simply means using technology to transmit medical images, like
X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, from one location to another for expert interpretation by
radiologists. Think of it as X-ray pictures traveling the internet instead of patients!

Example: Imagine a remote hospital in a rural area has a patient with a complex abdominal
pain. They perform an abdominal CT scan, but there's no on-site radiologist to interpret it.
Through tele-radiology, the hospital can securely send the CT scan images to a radiologist in a
larger hospital or specialized imaging center. The radiologist remotely examines the images,
determines the cause of the pain (perhaps appendicitis), and sends their diagnosis back to the
rural hospital within minutes. This allows the patient to receive prompt and accurate diagnosis
and treatment without needing to travel for further expertise.