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.

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). 

Discover our areas of expertise

Applied health informatics is 1 area of expertise within our Health Informatics research area – explore the others below.

Research groups

Interested in a PhD in Health Informatics?

Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Health Informatics postgraduate research degrees page.