A medical information officer devises strategies for integrating technology into clinical settings. This includes patient care settings such as hospitals and clinics, as well as clinical trial research labs and facilities. When technology complements the goals and working styles of the organization, it can make research and medical practice more efficient and effective. A medical degree and experience as a doctor, as well as knowledge of health informatics, information technology, and industry-wide systems, are typically required for careers in this field.
A medical information officer can help facilities with poorly implemented technology or without integrated technology develop a plan to help streamline operations. To find out what the organization needs and how it is currently meeting those needs, the officer can interview employees, survey existing systems, and collect other data. This process may entail paying special attention to areas where simple technology could save money or time, such as better record transfers so that offices don’t have to pass around hard copies of files as patients see different doctors.
This information can be used the medical information officer to develop a strategy that may include a mix of systems, including custom systems. Employees and staff are given the information they need to use the technology effectively in the next phase, and small tweaks can be made as the system is used. This combines the benefits of information technology with the practice of medicine, allowing care providers and researchers to focus on results while being supported technology. With a system that helps medical providers find the information they need, clinics may find it easier to implement evidence-based medicine.
Companies that want to sell information technology products and services to a facility can meet with the medical information officer to discuss their options. These may provide a more efficient and effective way to complete a task, in which case the facility representative should consider incorporating them into the larger plan. These meetings can also be used to talk about custom software and hardware, maintenance packages, and other features that the facility would like in a product.
This job may require travel between facilities as well as attendance at conferences and other events where new systems and technology may be discussed. Experience, employer, and region can all influence pay and benefits. The medical information officer must keep up with advances in medicine, bioinformatics, and information technology, so continuing education is an important part of the job.