The Impact of Health Informaticians on Care Quality in a Digitalized Healthcare Setting

by Rhenna Berania Gedalanga, BSN RN
Informatics Nurse, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

Citation: Gedalanga, R.B. (2025). The impact of health informaticians on care quality in a digitalized healthcare setting. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 20(3). https://cjni.net/journal/?p=15316

Abstract

The digital transformation of healthcare has elevated the importance of health informaticians, professionals who integrate clinical expertise, data analytics, and technology to enhance patient care quality. This article explores the multifaceted role of health informaticians in digitalized healthcare settings, highlighting four key themes: development and implementation of digital health systems, workforce education and training, promotion of digital health literacy, and integration of technology for personalized patient-centered care. Evidence indicates that informaticians play a crucial role in facilitating the successful adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision support systems (CDSS), leading to improved diagnostic accuracy, medication safety, and operational efficiency. Their involvement in workforce development ensures healthcare staff are proficient in digital tools, addressing common barriers such as inadequate training that hinder care quality.

Additionally, informaticians promote digital health literacy among both patients and providers, mitigating disparities in access and engagement, especially during telehealth expansion amid the COVID-19 pandemic. By integrating advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, they support personalized care models that improve clinical outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions. This review underscores the indispensable contributions of health informaticians in enhancing healthcare delivery and recommends institutional recognition, continued training, and collaborative strategies to maximize their impact on quality care in evolving digital environments.

Background

In recent years, the healthcare industry has undergone a notable shift towards digital advancements, including the widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs), data analytics, and other health information technologies (Alawiye, 2024). The successful application and use of these advancements rely on the skills and knowledge of health informaticians to enhance patient outcomes and care quality (Al-Kahtani et al., 2022).

Health informaticians or Health Informaticists are professionals who utilize digital tools and data to bridge the gap between healthcare and information technology, thereby improving the quality of patient care. The role of health informaticians has evolved from focusing primarily on the technical aspects of health data management to a more integrated function that combines clinical expertise, data analytics, and system design in the context of digital health (Nagle et al., 2017). Their responsibilities have expanded to include clinical decision support, health data analytics, and policymaking as healthcare systems become increasingly digitalized (Zhao et al., 2020).

Previous research often focused on the implementation of health information technologies and electronic health records without thoroughly assessing how informaticians facilitate these implementations and affect patient outcomes. For instance, some studies show that electronic health records reduce medication errors and improve documentation efficiency (Gates et al., 2020). However, the specific contributions of health informaticians in improving these systems for patient safety and guided decision-making have not been thoroughly investigated.

This review article explores the role of healthcare informaticians in improving care quality within digital health environments. Although the literature recognizes their growing importance, significant gaps remain. To address this, the article reviews existing studies on how informaticians influence care quality in digitalized healthcare. It identifies key themes to highlight the roles and activities of health informaticians that support quality improvement.

Discussion

The literature highlights growing recognition of health informaticians’ significant impact on quality of care within modern, digitalized healthcare systems. The following themes were identified based on a review of relevant articles and studies:

A. Development and effective implementation of digital health systems.
B. Workforce development through education and training on e-health solutions.
C. Promotion of digital health literacy.
D. Integration of technology into practice for personalized patient centered care.

Development and Effective Implementation of Digital Health Systems

The collaboration between health informaticians and IT architects underscores the importance of informaticians working closely with healthcare professionals to ensure effective implementation and utilization of digital health systems. Rossander (2023) found that 78% of healthcare organizations with active informatician involvement reported improved digital system usability and efficiency. Successful adoption of these systems supports healthcare delivery without compromising care quality (Recsky et al., 2024). This became particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the rapid expansion of telehealth, remote consultations, and digital monitoring highlighted the need for skilled health informaticians. Falconer et al. (2020) emphasized their essential role in facilitating this digital transition.

Several case studies have shown that integrating clinical decision support systems (CDSS) into electronic health records (EHRs) can reduce diagnostic errors by an average of 30% and improve treatment adherence by 25% (Crudu, 2025). Likewise, incorporating digital therapeutics into patient records has facilitated data generation and analysis, thereby enhancing clinical decision-making and patient outcomes (van Kessel et al., 2023).

The literature emphasizes that health informaticians play a critical role in the development and implementation of digital health systems. Their expertise encompasses not only the technological aspects but also the human factors that influence system adoption. Through their active involvement in system integration and data governance, health informaticians facilitate the effective use of digital health tools, thereby contributing to improved data management and enhanced quality of care delivery.

Workforce Development through Education and Training on e-Health Solutions

Health informaticians play a crucial role in workforce development, as their specialized expertise is vital in preparing healthcare professionals to work effectively in digital environments. Their technical knowledge and systems perspective enable them to bridge the gap between healthcare delivery and technology, fostering both innovation and improved quality of care (Meehan, 2024). They play a vital role in training and ensuring that healthcare staff are knowledgeable and equipped with necessary skills and competencies to explore and navigate digital platforms to improve quality of patient care (Iuppa & Suresh, 2022).

Upadhyay and Hu (2022) found that the clinicians who lacked sufficient training in EHRs result in data entry errors and workflow inefficiencies. The lack of training for digital health tools and electronic health records (EHR) can be a barrier in delivering quality of care as revealed in the study by Heponiemi et al. (2021). This finding also aligns with those of Hani et al. (2022) who showed that healthcare providers who received informatics-led training on EHRs demonstrated improved staff knowledge and competencies related to EHR functionalities.

Effective education and training in digital health systems are essential for the successful implementation of health solutions. Evidence shows that inadequate training and support for healthcare professionals can hinder the delivery of quality care. This underscores the vital role of health informaticians in ensuring that staff are well-prepared, competent, and confident in using digital tools. Research further highlights that their commitment to building digital competencies among healthcare teams is critical to enabling staff to deliver improved patient care.

Promotion of Digital Health Literacy

Another area where health informaticians have a significant impact is the promotion of digital health literacy. (Zhao et al., 2024) stated that digital health literacy programs led by informaticians increased patient engagement particularly among older adults. Tailored interventions, such as education programs, mentorship, or structured training sessions, help bridge this gap, promoting digital inclusion and ensuring equitable access to healthcare resources (Shi et al., 2024).

Health informaticians design and deliver targeted education to ensure all patient groups can access and benefit from digital health resources (Marais, 2024). Additionally, due to the rapid shift to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were significant disparities identified in digital literacy among patient and health care providers. Informaticians helped mitigate these challenges by implementing patient education initiatives, leading to increased telehealth utilization among previously underserved populations (Berry et al., 2022).

Health informaticians play a key role in empowering both healthcare professionals and patients to engage effectively with digital health technologies. Increased user confidence not only enhances adoption but also helps reduce stigma and discrimination associated with digital tools. Conversely, inadequate digital literacy, particularly among vulnerable populations, can exacerbate existing health inequities. The literature demonstrates that improving digital literacy in adults leads to better health outcomes. By leading targeted educational initiatives, health informaticians promote equitable access to digital resources, thereby strengthening patient engagement and improving care quality.

Integration of Technology into Practice for Personalized Patient Centered Care

The integration of technology into healthcare practice is central to advancing personalized patient care, and the involvement of health informaticians plays a pivotal role in this process. Informatics-driven system improvements have been shown to reduce medication errors, decrease adverse drug events, and enhance overall care quality (Danso & Lasim, 2024). By leveraging data analytics, clinical decision support systems, and other digital solutions, health informaticians enable the delivery of tailored healthcare interventions that strengthen patient engagement and improve health outcomes (Mondal & Sameer, 2024).

The responsibilities of health informaticians include adapting to rapidly evolving technologies, managing digital tools, and ensuring that these tools align with patient-centered care models (Teal Labs, n.d.). Transitioning to a digitalized healthcare environment demands continuous learning and adaptation from all members of healthcare organizations (Maghool et al., 2024), a process that relies heavily on the support and guidance of health informaticians.

Heath informaticians are increasingly involved in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into health care system. This enhances the personalization and efficiency of care delivery (Hasan et al., 2023). Moreover, AI-driven predictive analytics implemented by health informaticians have been shown to reduce hospital readmission rates by 15-20%. This integration improves operational efficiency and supports informed decision making among healthcare teams (Hossain et al., 2024).     

The integration of technology into healthcare is essential for delivering personalized patient care, with health informaticians playing a central role in facilitating this process. By leveraging data analytics, clinical decision support systems, and other digital solutions, healthcare outcomes are improved, and patient engagement is increased. These technologies contribute to system-level enhancements, including reduced errors and better care coordination. With the guidance of health informaticians, artificial intelligence can be seamlessly integrated, further enhancing care personalization, efficiency, and evidence-informed clinical decision-making.

Conclusion

Health informaticians play a pivotal role in enhancing care quality within digitalized healthcare settings. Their expertise in developing and implementing digital health systems is critical for the successful adoption and effective use of these technologies. By providing training and education, health informaticians support workforce development, ensuring healthcare staff are competent and confident in delivering high-quality care. Their efforts to promote digital literacy among both professionals and patients further strengthen engagement, reduce stigma, and improve equitable access to healthcare resources. Moreover, health informaticians facilitate the integration of technologies, such as clinical decision support systems and data analytics, enabling more personalized, patient-centered care. Overall, their active involvement is essential for improving healthcare delivery, optimizing the use of digital health solutions, and enhancing patient outcomes.

Recommendations

It is strongly recommended that healthcare facilities foster closer collaboration between health informaticians and clinicians to ensure digital tools are tailored to actual clinical workflows. While health informaticians can optimize technologies such as Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) and electronic health records (EHRs), their effectiveness depends on a thorough understanding of real-world clinical challenges. Healthcare organizations should recognize the substantial contributions of health informaticians in facilitating high-quality, effective care.

At institutions such as Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the Nursing Informatics role exemplifies how health informaticians’ expertise can be recognized, empowered, and leveraged. The Nursing Informatics Department (NID) at HMC has contributed to customizing and implementing EHR systems to align with nursing workflows, reducing documentation time, minimizing medication errors, and ensuring data security. They have also developed specialized training programs to enable nurses to effectively use system applications, while integrating AI-driven alerts and predictive analytics to improve early detection of patient deterioration and reduce adverse events.

To support these roles, organizations must establish policies and frameworks that provide funding, resources for system implementation, and technology integration. Continuous, specialized training for health informaticians is essential to keep pace with evolving digital tools and the rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Such education ensures that health informaticians can implement and manage the latest systems effectively, ultimately improving patient care, system functionality, and clinical outcomes.

The author acknowledges several limitations of this review. Despite searching multiple databases using relevant keywords, the number of available studies and research articles on this topic was limited. Future research is recommended to further explore the impact of health informaticians on the quality of care.

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About the Author

Rhenna Berania Gedalanga, BSc Nursing, RN, is an Informatics Nurse in the Nursing Informatics Department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Doha, Qatar. In her current role, she is involved in the design, implementation, and optimization of clinical information systems aimed at enhancing nursing documentation, streamlining workflow efficiency, and improving the overall quality of patient care across HMC’s healthcare facilities. Rhenna actively contributes to education and training initiatives within the department, supporting nurses in leveraging health information technology and integrating informatics best practices into daily clinical operations.