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Nursing Informatics Definitions
Over the Last 30 Years

The terms are ordered chronologically in this document, while the list below is alphabetical.

For the seminal article on nursing informatics definitions see:

Staggers, N. and C. B. Thompson (2002). "The evolution of definitions for nursing informatics: A critical analysis and revised definition." Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 9(3): 255-261.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC344585/

For a very detailed, theoretical analysis of nursing informatics definitions, see Kaminski, J. (2007). The Revealing of Nursing Informatics: Exploring the Field [Electronic Version at http://www.nursing-informatics.com/revealing/NI_comp2.pdf], University of British Columbia: 71 pages.

Origin of the Terms Informatics:
Medical Informatics & Nursing Informatics

According to Sackett and Erdley (2002), a Russian Scientist in 1966 coined the term informatika" and defined it as "The discipline of science which investigates the structures and properties (not specific content) of scientific information..." (Collen as cited in Sackett & Erdley).

A Frenchman, in the 1970's, Francois Gremy is credited with coining the term informatique medical, translated to medical informatics (Hannah, Ball & Edwards, 1999). It was defined as the informational technologies which are concerned with patient care and the medical decision making process. Another definition stated that medical informatics is the complex data processing by the computer to create new information.

As with many health care enterprises, there was debate about whether medical referred only to informatics focusing on physician concerns, or if it refers to all health care disciplines. Increasingly, it is seen that other disciplines have a body of knowledge separate from medicine, but part of health care and the term health-care informatics has become more commonly used.

The term "nursing informatics," was probably first used and defined by Scholes and Barber in 1980 in their address to the MEDINFO conference that year in Tokyo.

Health-care Informatics, however, is truly interdisciplinary. In its truest form it focuses on the care of the patient, not a specific discipline (Hannah, Ball & Edwards, 1999). Thus, although there are specific bodies of knowledge for each health care profession, nursing, dentistry, dietetics, pharmacy, medicine, etc., they interface at the patient.

As you read these various definitions of nursing informatics you will find some consistencies, and some differences. The definitions by the same individuals at different times (e.g. Saba & McCormick, and Hannah) reflect a growth in their perspective. What is happening is a movement away from a focus on computers themselves to a focus on gathering and processing information to create knowledge.

References for above paragraph

Collen, M. (1995). A history of medical informatics in the United States, 1950 to 1990. Indianapolis, IN: American Medical Informatics Association.

Hannah, K. J. & Ball, M. J. & Edwards, K. J. (1999). Introduction to Nursing Informatics (2nd edition). New York: Springer-Verlag.

Sackett, K. M. & Erdley, W. S. (2002). The history of health care informatics. In S. Englebardt, & R. Nelson (Eds.). ,Health Care Informatics: An Interdisciplinary Approach (pp 453-477). St. Louis: Mosby.

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Scholes & Barber 1980

...the application of computer technology to all fields of nursing--nursing services, nurse education, and nursing research. (p 73)

Scholes, M. & Barber, B. (1980). Towards nursing informatics. In D. A. D. Lindberg & S. Kaihara (Eds.) MEDINFO: 1980. Amsterdam, Netherlands: North-Holland, 7-73.

 

Hannah 1985

"The use of information technology in relation to any of the functions which are within the purview of nursing and which are carried out by nurses. Hence, any use of information technology by nurses in relation to the care of patients, or the educational preparation of individuals to practice in the discipline is considered nursing informatics." (P. 181)

Hannah, K. (1985). Current trends in nursing informatics: Implications for curriculum planning. In K. J. Hannah, E. J. Guillemin & D. K. Conklin (Eds.). Nursing uses of computers and information science: Proceedings of the IFIP=IMIA international symposium on nursing uses of computers and information science, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, May 1-3, 1985. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Science Publishing, Inc. 181 - 187.

This definition was also adopted by Peterson and Gerdin-Jelger in the 1988 publication Preparing nurses for using information systems" Recommended informatic competencies. (Published by NLN Pub No. 14-2234). They gave examples which included using artificial intelligence or decision making systems, computerized scheduling, computer-assisted learning for patients or nursing education, a hospital information systems of research.

 

Graves & Corcoran 1989

"A combination of computer science, information science, and nursing science designed to assist in the managements and processing of nursing data, information, and knowledge to support the practice of nursing and the delivery of nursing care." (p. 227)

Graves, J. R., & Corcoran, S. (1989). The study of nursing informatics. Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 21 (4), 227 - 231.

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McGonigle & Eggers 1991

"The synthesis of nursing science, information management science, and computer science to enhance the input, retrieval, manipulation and/or distribution of nursing data." (p. 194).

McGonigle, E. & Eggers, R. (1991). Establishing a nursing informatics program. Computers in Nursing 9(5), 174-179.

 

ANA Council on Computer Applications in Nursing 1992

"...a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science in identifying, collecting, processing, and managing data and information to support nursing practice, administration, education, and research; and to expand nursing knowledge. The purpose of nursing informatics is to: analyze information requirements; design, implement and evaluate information systems and data structures that support nursing; and identify and apply computer technologies for nursing."

American Nurses Association Council on Computers in Nursing. (1995). Report on the designation of nursing informatics as a specialty. Congress of Nursing Practice unpublished report. In Saba, V., McCormick, K. Essentials of Computers for Nursing. (2nd ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.

 

Hannah, Ball & Edwards 1994

"... use of information technologies in relation to those functions within the purview of nursing, and that are carried out by nurses when performing their duties. Therefore, any use of information technologies by nurses in relation to the care of their patients, the administration of health care facilities, or the educational preparation of individuals to practice the discipline is considered nursing informatics. For example, nursing informatics would include, but not be limited to, the use of artificial intelligence or decision-making systems to support the use of the nursing process; the use of a computer-based scheduling package to allocate staff in a hospital or health care organization; the use of computers for patient education; the use of computer-assisted learning in nursing education; nursing use of a hospital information system; or research related to information nurses use in making patient care decisions and how those decisions are made." (p 5)

Hannah, K. J., Ball, M. J., & Edwards, M. J. A. (1994). Introduction to Nursing Informatics. New York: Springer Verlag.

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American Nurses Association 1994

"Nursing informatics is the specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science in identifying, collecting, processing, and managing data and information to support nursing practice, administration, education, research and the expansion of nursing knowledge." (p. 3)

American Nurses Association. (1994). The scope of practice for nursing informatics. Washington, DC: American Nurses Publishing, NP-90 7.5M 5/94.

 

Saba & McCormick 1995

"It [nursing informatics] is concerned with the legitimate access to and use of data, information, and knowledge to standardize documentation, improve communication, and support decision-making process." (p. 222)

"The use of technology and/or a computer system to collect, store, process, display, retrieve, and communicate timely data and information in and across health care facilities that:

  • Administer nursing services and resources.
  • Manage the delivery of patient and nursing care.
  • Link research resources and findings to nursing practice.
  • Apply educational resources to nursing education." (p. 226)

Saba, V. K. & McCormick, K. A. (1995). Essentials of computers for nurses (2nd ed). New York: McGraw Hill.

 

Saba & McCormick 1997

"The use of technology and/or a computer system to collect, store, process, display, retrieve, and communicate timely data and information in and across health care facilities designed to:

  • Administer nursing services and resources
  • Manage delivery of patient and nursing care including documentation and planning
  • Link research resources & findings to nursing practice.
  • Apply educational resources to nursing education.
  • administer nursing services and resources
  • Manage delivery of patient and nursing care including documentation and planning
  • Link research resources & findings to nursing practice.
  • Apply educational resources to nursing education."

Saba, V. & McCormick, K. (1997). Summer Institute at U of MD - July 21st, 1997.

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Saba & McCormick 2001

"...nursing informatics is a dynamic discipline, comp;rised of many aspects and defined in many ways. Definitions reflect the definer's perspectives and the emergence of new knowledge in nursing informatics and the sciences with which it is integrated."

Saba, V. K. & McCormick, K. A. (2001). Essentials of computers for nurses (3rd ed). New York: McGraw Hill, p 181.

 

Goossen 1996

The following is a result of a Delphi study with 44 International experts, from the US, UK, Netherlands and the rest of Europe. The consensus on it was very high.

"Nursing informatics is the multi-disciplinary scientific endeavor of analyzing, formalizing and modeling how nurses collect and manage data, process data into information and knowledge, make knowledge-based decisions and inferences for patient care, and use this empirical and experiential knowledge in order to broaden the scope and enhance the quality of their professional practice. The scientific methods central to nursing informatics are focused on:

  1. Using a discourse about motives for computerized systems,
  2. Analyzing, formalizing and modeling nursing information processing and nursing knowledge for all components of nursing practice: clinical practice, management, education and research
  3. Investigating determinants, conditions, elements, models and processes in order to design, and implement as well as test the effectiveness and efficiency of computerized information, (tele)communication and network systems for nursing practice, and
  4. Studying the effects of these systems on nursing practice. "

A distinction is made between communicative, analytical, engineering and managerial methods. For the development of nursing information systems, the use of several different methods, both qualitative and quantitative will be necessary. Some of the most important methods are:

  1. Communicative methods: Communication about motives and objectives for the use of nursing information systems in a discourse
  2. Analytical methods:
  3. Identifying and analyzing information processing behavior, knowledge and decision-making of nurses in several contexts in a rapidly and continuously changing health care system.
  4. Contributing to the development of standard terminology's, classifications and taxonomies of nursing care.
  5. Modeling and/or simulating nursing information processing, for both generalized and highly individualized ways of nursing care delivery.
  6. Designing and utilizing research methods for the analysis of the effects of computerized systems on nursing care delivery
  7. Engineering methods:
  8. Designing information and communication systems to aid information processing of and by nurses.
  9. Developing (automated) nursing information systems for different health care settings, but also for practice, education, management and research
  10. Evaluating the variety of existing information systems, applications and tools for applicability within nursing.
  11. Adapting, improving or customizing existing applications and tools.
  12. Ensuring confidentiality and privacy of patient data
  13. Managerial methods:
  14. As part of strategic planning setting goals for appropriate information flows within institutions and the profession.
  15. Analyzing ongoing and future changes in health care and nursing care delivery
  16. Collaborating with other health care providers and informatics professionals in the development of integrated health care information systems.
  17. Ensuring the availability and accessibility of nursing data in integrated health care information systems, while at the same time ensuring that nursing does not become isolated.
  18. Applying project management methodologies to develop and implement systems in practice and facilitate change."

Goossen W. T. F. (1996). Nursing information management and processing: a framework and definition for systems analysis, design and evaluation. International Journal of Biomedical Computing, 40, 187-195.

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International Medical Informatics Association - Nursing Informatics (IMIA-NI) - 1998

Nursing Informatics is the integration of nursing, its information, and information management with information processing and communication technology, to support the health of people world-wide.

International Medical Informatics Association - Nursing Informatics (IMIA-NI), 1998

Update 2010 from the Nursing Informatics Special
Interest Group of the International Medical Informatics Association

Nursing informatics science and practice integrates nursing, its information and
knowledge and their management with information and communication
technologies to promote the health of people, families and communities world
wide.

Goossen 2000

Nursing informatics is the discipline that is concerned with the development, use, and evaluation of nursing information systems. (p. 25)

Goossen, W. T. F. (2000). Towards Strategic use of Nursing Information in the Netherlands. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Gegevens Koninklijke Bibliltheek Den Haag

 

ANA 2001

Nursing informatics is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, and knowledge in nursing practice. Nursing informatics facilitates the integration of data, information, and knowledge to support patients, nurses, and other providers in their decision-making in all roles and settings. This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology. (p. 17)

American Nurses Association. (2001). Scope and Standards of Nursing Informatics Practice. Washington, DC: American Nurses Publishing.

Canadian Nurses Association 2001

Nursing Informatics (NI) is the application of computer science and information science to nursing. NI promotes the generation, management and processing of relevant data in order to use information and develop knowledge that supports nursing in all practice domains. (See http://www.cnia.ca/education.htm)

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Canadian Nurses Association (2003)

Nursing Informatics (NI): integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, and knowledge in nursing practice. Nursing informatics facilitates the integration of data, information, and knowledge to support clients, nurses, and other providers in their decision-making in all roles and settings. This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology. The goal of nursing informatics is to improve the health of populations, communities, families, and individuals by optimizing information management and communication. This includes the use of information and technology in the direct provision of care, in establishing effective administrative systems, in managing and delivering educational experiences, in supporting lifelong learning, and in supporting nursing research. (See http://www.cnia.ca/education.htm)

 

Saba & McCormick 2006

"The domain of nursing informatics is focused on data and its structures, informatiob management, and the technology, including databases, needed to manage information effectively. Yet is also includes significnat use of theory from linguistics, human-machine interface, decision science, cognitive science, communication, engineering, library science, and organizational dynamics."

Saba, V. K. & McCormick, K. A. (2001). Essentials of computers for nurses (4th ed). New York: McGraw Hill, p 184.

Simpson 2006

"Using technology, research, and professional experience to
manage nursing data, information, and knowledge to improve practice and deliver
better health care."

Simpson, R. (2006). Coherent heterogeneity: Redefining Nursing in a Consumer-smart World. In H. A. Park, P. Murray, & C. Delaney, C. (Eds.). Consumer-Centered Computer-Supported Care for Healthy People. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press, 3-8.

ANA 2008

Nursing informatics is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information,knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. Nursing informatics facilitates the integration of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom to support patients, nurses, and other providers in their decision-making in all roles and settings. This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology.

American Nurses Association (2008). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice, Silver Springs, MD, American Nurses Association. p.65.

Off Site Rererences

Staggers, Nancy; Bagley Thompson, Cheryl. (2002). The Evolution of Definitions for Nursing Informatics: A Critical Analysis and Revised Definition. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. 9(3)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC344585/ Hersh, William (2009, May 15).

A stimulus to define informatics and health information technology. BioMed Central. Excellent definition of informatics.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6947/9/24

 

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Last updated October 21, 2011

© 1999- 2013 Linda Q. Thede & Jeanne P. Sewell

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