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Informatics: A Primer
Mary Lou Klem, PhD, MLIS
Health Sciences Library System
University of Pittsburgh
What is it?
The study and use of information and communication systems
Coiera, 2003, pg xxii
The field of information science concerned with the analysis and dissemination of data through the application of computers
National Library of Medicine (MeSH), 2005
…the interdisciplinary study of the design, application, use and impact of information technology
http://www.ics.uci.edu/informatics/qa/#general02
What is it?
The study and use of information and communication systems
Coiera, 2003, pg xxii
The field of information science concerned with the analysis and dissemination of data through the application of computers
National Library of Medicine (MeSH), 2005
…the interdisciplinary study of the design, application, use and impact of information technology
http://www.ics.uci.edu/informatics/qa/#general02
Friedman, et al., 2004
The practice of informatics requires
• A set of skills derived from the informational and computing sciences
Friedman, et al., 2004
The practice of informatics requires
• A set of skills derived from the informational and computing sciences
• Knowledge, experience and activity in one or more application domains or sub domains– Biomedical informatics
• Bioinformatics• Imaging informatics• Clinical informatics• Public health informatics
As cited in Schoolman & Lindberg, 1988
John Shaw BillingsDirector, National Library of Medicine
1881
“The geometric progression of publication in medicine of the last few decades, if continued, would lead to the absurd conclusion that the time would soon come when it would require the services of everyone in the world not engaged in writing to catalogue and index the annual output of medical literature.”
Growth of Molecular Databases
Source: Nodal Point Blog
http://www.hsls.pitt.edu/guides/genetics
Source: nodalpoint.org
Helms, et al., 2004
Bioinformatics: Librarian Opportunities
• Collection development
• Education and training
• Communication
Bioinformatics: HSLS
• Collection development– Site licensing of bioinformatics resources
• Prevents purchasing of multiple licenses by individual labs or departments within the School of Medicine
• Estimated cost savings 2005-2006 for 2 databases: $200,000
Bioinformatics: HSLS
• Education and training– Molecular Biology Information Service
• Introductory workshops on use of molbio software and databases• One-to-one consultations• Search.HSLS.MolBio
Bioinformatics: HSLS
• Communication– Head of MolBio Service: PhD in biochemistry
• Assistant Information Specialists: PhD in biology or neuroscience • Current Assistant has PhD + MLIS
PubMed’s Clinical Queries
• There are different types of clinical questions– Therapy: does compression bandaging increase the
healing of venous leg ulcers compared with no compression?
– Prognosis: Does having a stroke increase risk of dementia in older people?
• There are different types of “best evidence” for answering these different types of questions
“Best Evidence” for Question Type
Question Type Best Evidence
Therapy Individual randomized controlled trials
Prognosis Individual cohort studies or follow-up studies that assess morbidity, mortality or survival
A lit search for best evidence must include:
• Terminology reflecting the clinical concepts– Venous leg ulcers, compression bandaging– Stroke, dementia, elderly
• Terminology capturing characteristics of “best evidence”– Randomized controlled trial– Follow-up or cohort study
PubMed Clinical Queries (Haynes, et al)
Question Type MEDLINE Query
Therapy “Clinical trial” in Title/Abstract OR clinical trials in MeSH OR clinical trial in Publication Type OR random* in Title/Abstract OR “random allocation” in MeSH OR “therapeutic use” in MeSH Subheading
Prognosis Incidence in MeSH OR mortality in MeSH OR follow up studies in MeSH OR prognos* in Title/Abstract OR predict* in Title/Abstract OR course* in Title/Abstract