Clinical Informatics and the Future of Medicine with Dr. Brian Fung

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, it's important for healthcare professionals to understand the benefits of using electronic health records (EHRs) and to work together to improve the user experience. In a recent podcast, I had the tremendous opportunity to interview Brian K. Fung, a licensed pharmacist and specialist in pharmacy informatics.

If you are lost and have no idea what "Pharmacy Informatics" entails, check out this riveting conversation that provides insights into the growing field of healthcare. We also had the opportunity to discuss the challenges and benefits of using EHRs, which as we know, can be a major barrier to providing outstanding medical care!

Overview:

The conversation begins with Fung's background and his reasons for pursuing a career in pharmacy. Fung explains that his interest in healthcare began when his grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This inspired Fung to switch his focus from computer engineering to healthcare. After his grandfather passed away due to a medication error, Fung became even more interested in healthcare and eventually chose pharmacy as his career path!

Fung then discusses his interest in clinical informatics, a field that blends clinical and technical expertise to improve patient care. He explains that clinical informatics focuses on one-on-one interactions with patients and how to improve the user interface to make the documentation process more seamless. Clinical informatics is a growing field that combines clinical expertise with technical knowledge to improve patient care.

While EHRs have their challenges, Fung points out that they offer many benefits. One of the most significant benefits is improved interoperability, which allows healthcare professionals to share patient information more easily. This can lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient care.

However, there are also challenges associated with the use of EHRs. Gartland expresses frustration with the amount of documentation and the challenges with navigating the EHR as a medical student. Fung acknowledges the challenges but points out that the benefits outweigh the challenges. He explains that EHRs allow healthcare professionals to access patient information rapidly and with general ease, which can improve patient outcomes as a whole.

The conversation then shifts to Fung's role in his clinical informatics residency at the University of Utah. Fung's focus was on the optimization of the electronic health record (EHR) at the University of Utah. He also explains that clinical informatics has different subcategories, including physician informatics, nursing informatics, and pharmacy informatics.

Fung's role in his residency shows the importance of focusing on the user experience when it comes to EHRs. By optimizing the EHR, healthcare professionals can spend more time focusing on patient care and less time navigating the system. Fung's residency shows that there is a significant need for healthcare professionals with expertise in clinical informatics.

The interview also highlights the importance of mentorship in healthcare. Fung received mentorship from a resident during his pharmacy school years who introduced him to the field of clinical informatics. This mentorship was instrumental in Fung's decision to pursue a career in clinical informatics. Fung also received mentorship from Melissa Newhouse, the national formulary coordinator for antibiotics at the VA. Newhouse helped Fung understand the importance of clinical informatics in infectious disease and how it could help him achieve his career goals.

One of the challenges with EHRs is the documentation process. Fung explains that one of the goals of clinical informatics is to reduce the documentation burden for healthcare professionals. This can be achieved by improving the user interface and making the documentation process more seamless. By doing so, healthcare professionals can spend more time focusing on patient care and less time on documentation.

The conversation also touches on the challenges associated with implementing EHRs in healthcare organizations. One of the challenges is the cost associated with implementing the system. Fung explains that the cost can be significant, but the benefits of using EHRs outweigh the cost. Another challenge is the resistance to change. Healthcare professionals may be resistant to using EHRs because they are used to paper-based systems. Fung explains that it's important to work with healthcare professionals to address their concerns and to provide training to ensure that they are comfortable with the system.

The interview concludes with a discussion of Fung's career after his residency. Fung had a unique opportunity to work at the Mayo Clinic, where he focused on improving the charge capture system. Fung's work at the Mayo Clinic highlights the importance of clinical informatics in healthcare organizations. By optimizing the charge capture system, Fung was able to improve the financial performance of the organization.

Overall, the conversation between Gartland and Fung provides insights into the field of clinical informatics and the challenges and benefits of using EHRs in healthcare. Clinical informatics is a growing field that offers many opportunities for healthcare professionals. The use of EHRs has its challenges, but the benefits outweigh the challenges. By working together and focusing on improving the user experience, we can continue to improve patient care and outcomes.

In conclusion, healthcare professionals must understand the importance of clinical informatics in the healthcare industry. By optimizing the use of EHRs, healthcare professionals can spend more time focusing on patient care and less time on documentation. The benefits of using EHRs, such as improved interoperability and better patient outcomes, outweigh the challenges associated with their implementation. Mentorship and collaboration are also crucial in the field of clinical informatics. By working together and focusing on the user experience, we can continue to improve patient care and outcomes in the healthcare industry.

Check out the complete episode on here

Understanding Clinical Informatics:

Healthcare informatics specialists are professionals who play a crucial role in the healthcare industry by leveraging technology and data to improve patient care, enhance operational efficiency, and drive evidence-based decision-making. With their expertise in information systems, data analysis, and healthcare management, these specialists aim to bridge the gap between healthcare and technology, ultimately revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered.

One of the primary objectives of healthcare informatics specialists is to ensure the seamless flow of information within healthcare organizations. They design, implement, and maintain electronic health record (EHR) systems, which serve as comprehensive repositories of patient data. By enabling healthcare providers to access and update patient information in real-time, these systems enhance the quality and continuity of care. Informatics specialists also focus on interoperability, ensuring that different healthcare systems can communicate and share data securely, facilitating the exchange of critical information among healthcare professionals.

Moreover, healthcare informatics specialists harness the power of data analytics to derive valuable insights. They collect, analyze, and interpret vast amounts of healthcare data to identify trends, patterns, and potential areas for improvement. By leveraging advanced statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms, they can detect early warning signs, predict disease outbreaks, and recommend personalized treatment plans. These data-driven insights empower healthcare providers to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and deliver targeted interventions, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

In addition, healthcare informatics specialists play a pivotal role in healthcare research and innovation. They collaborate with researchers and scientists to design and implement clinical studies, leveraging technology to collect and analyze research data. They also contribute to the development and evaluation of new healthcare technologies, such as telemedicine platforms, wearable devices, and health monitoring systems. By combining their knowledge of healthcare processes and technology, informatics specialists drive the adoption of innovative solutions, paving the way for advancements in healthcare delivery and patient engagement.

Overall, healthcare informatics specialists strive to harness the power of technology and data to transform healthcare delivery. Their multidisciplinary expertise empowers healthcare organizations to make data-driven decisions, enhance patient care, and improve overall efficiency. By leveraging information systems, data analytics, and their understanding of healthcare processes, these specialists are at the forefront of shaping the future of healthcare.