Applied health informatics research
Explore our work in applied health informatics
Research from the World Health Organisation shows long-term conditions (LTCs) are an increasingly important part of the human experience, responsible for socioeconomic burdens and for 71% of all global deaths.
We’re working on the ways ‘smart healthcare’ – personalised technology, effective use of patient data and patient involvement in treatment plans – can make a difference in patient care and quality of life. We’re also exploring the assumption that digital health technologies will promote a cost-effective way for patients to better manage their long-term conditions.
Health and care services use an assortment of IT systems – some modern and well-designed, but many are old and inefficient. Our applied health informatics research examines the effective design and use of IT in health and social care.
One of the issues we are tackling is medication adherence, and we’re looking at improving medication adherence using methods such as mobile applications and telecommunication. Another one of our projects is apathy in people with dementia – and we're looking at reducing apathy in different ways, such as through applications that support play and reminiscing, which can promote wellbeing.
We're also investigating low-cost solutions that address health priorities in developing countries – such as the major challenges these countries face due to a lack of infrastructure.
Our applied health informatics research covers the following topics
- Operational impact of digital health solutions
- Scientific quality of health informatics evaluation
- Safety and usability of health IT
- IT solutions to support complex clinical decision-making
- Quality of standards for health and care information exchange
- Quality of patient transitions of care
- Health IT in low and middle income countries
- IT tools to facilitate behavioural change and promote wellbeing
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Healthcare synthetic data generation
Methods and facilities
Health informatics assesses quantitative outcomes – such as timings, quality scores and volumetrics – and qualitative dimensions – such as what works for who, and in what circumstances. We also use mixed research methods so we can assess both quantitative and qualitative outcomes.
Funders and collaborations
Recent research projects have received funding from Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustainability and Transformation Partnership. Our researchers have access to frontline clinical experience of IT systems through our collaboration with Portsmouth Hospitals, University Hospitals Southampton and Hampshire Hospitals – and to a global network of expertise and decision-makers through our participation in the European Federation of Medical Informatics (EFMI), the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA), the British Computer Society Health & Care (BCS), and the Professional Record Standards Body for health and social care (PRSB).
Publication highlights
Andrikopoulou, E., Anywar, M., & Schreiweis, B. (2023). Interdisciplinary teams in health informatics: using FHIR standards to share computable knowledge
In M. Hägglund, M. Blusi, S. Bonacina, L. Nilsson, I. C. Madsen, S. Pelayo, A. Moen, A. Benis, L. Lindsköld, & P. Gallos (Eds.), Proceedings of Medical Informatics Europe 2023 (pp. 541-545). (Studies in Health Technology and Informatics; Vol. 302). IOS Press BV. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI230201
Andrikopoulou, E., & Scott, P. (2022). Personal health records an approach to answer: what works for whom in what circumstances?
In B. Séroussi, P. Weber, F. Dhombres, C. Grouin, J-D. Liebe, S. Pelayo, A. Pinna, B. Rance, L. Sacchi, A. Ugon, A. Benis, & P. Gallos (Eds.), Challenges of Trustable AI and Added-Value on Health (pp. 725-729). (Studies in Health Technology and Informatics; Vol. 294). IOS Press BV. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI220572
Andrikopoulou, E., & Scott, P. (2022). Experiences of creating computable knowledge tutorials using HL7 Clinical Quality Language
In P. Scott, J. Mantas, A. Benis, I. Ognjanovic, K. Saranto, A. Ware, I. Wells, & P. Gallos (Eds.), Digital Professionalism in Health and Care: Developing the Workforce, Building the Future (pp. 92-96). (Studies in Health Technology and Informatics; Vol. 298). IOS Press. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI220914
Discover our areas of expertise
Applied health informatics is 1 area of expertise within our Health Informatics research area – explore the others below.
Clinical outcome modelling
We're exploring ways of analysing health data to better calculate the risks patients face, and to evaluate new and improved techniques for managing patient care.
Digital wellbeing
We're investigating how information technology – including communications and sensors – can be help people live long and healthy lives.
Cross reality applications
We're exploring how virtual reality (VR) can improve patient's physical and psychological rehabilitation, and developing VR simulations for a range healthcare applications.
Research groups
Centre for Healthcare Modelling and Informatics
We're working to develop technology that makes work more efficient for the organisations that form the National Health Service (NHS).
Interested in a PhD in Health Informatics?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Health Informatics postgraduate research degrees page.