1 University of Waterloo Computer Science Department Health Informatics Initiatives Dominic Covvey December 12, 2000

2 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Inaugural Meeting Participants Dr.Robert M. Bernstein*  Dr.Brenda Bonnett* Mr.Ray Briggs*  Ms.Heidi Brown* Dr.Jonathan BussDr. Nick Cercone Mr.Tom Closson*Mr.Dominic Covvey Dr.Don Cowan*Dr.Rueben Devlin* Dr.Chrysanne DiMarcoMr.V. Arnie Dyck Dr.J. Alan GeorgeMr.Steve Huesing*  Mr.Tom Jenkins*Dr. David Johnston Dr.Paul KearneyDr.Robert Kerton Dr.Noni MacDonald*  Ms. Janice MacNeill Dr.J. Ian MunroMr.Eric Peterson* Ms.Anne PidduckMr.Brian Porter Dr.Prabhakar RagdeDr.Michael Sharratt Dr.J. Graham StrongMr.Adam Topp* Mr.Paul VanArragonMr.W.G. (Bill) Weiler* Dr. Andrew Wong* Ms.Helen A.I. Wright* Dr. David Zitner*  * Advisory Board Invitee  Remote Participant

3 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Outline of Presentation  Introduction to Health Informatics  The Center for Computer Science Research in Health Informatics  Graduate Specialization in Health Informatics  The Education Program for Health Informatics Professionals  The Health Informatics Advisory Board  Questions and Discussion

4 University of Waterloo Computer Science Department What is Health Informatics?

5 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives What is Health Informatics?  The development of concepts, structures, frameworks, approaches, and systems to enable efficient and effective health services, including all aspects of health research, disease prevention, health promotion, healthcare, disease management, and terminal care.  Health data mining; knowledge discovery.  The nature and structure of health information; a health ontology.  The meta-analysis of clinical trials.  Health care guidance systems; decision-support systems.  Bio-medical computing.  Anything in: HEALTH Computer Science Information Science Math

6 University of Waterloo Computer Science Department The Center For Computer Science Research In Health Informatics

7 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives CCSRHI Vision  A component of the emerging UW Institute for Health Informatics.  Other components: Applied Health Sciences.  The advancement of HI depends on the creation of a CS conceptual infrastructure that will enable progress.  The CCSRHI is an environment that catalyzes and fosters creativity focused on the development of CS knowledge that is essential to the advancement of HI.  We aspire to solve problems that hinder progress in HI.  And to produce HI researchers whose strength is their CS knowledge.  Our focus is distinct from that of groups that apply concepts and tools to satisfying the need for HI solutions.

8 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives CS Research in HI: Concept Health Info Management Intelligent Health Systems Op Systems + Languages in Health Social Aspects of Computing Interactive Systems Health Communications Mathematical Computing in Health THE WORLD OF THE KNOWN THE UNKNOWN Current Research

9 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives CCSRHI Goals  To become a center of excellence in CS research that extends the conceptual underpinnings of Health Informatics.  Developing new CS concepts, frameworks, and approaches that enable the development of robust systems that address key needs of the health sector.  To provide a focus for intra- and inter-departmental inter-disciplinary Computer Science (CS) research that attracts both faculty and student involvement and enhances the CS graduate program.  Health Informatics problems provide interesting and arresting real- life topics for Masters and Ph.D. theses, as well as for faculty research.

10 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Faculty + Associates Interested in HI Research NameAreas Forbes BurkowskiData Mining, Warehousing; Optimization; Compression Nick CerconeDept. Chair: Health Data Mining; AI Dominic CovveyCurriculum Dev.; Co-op. Info Systems; Image Processing Bill CowanEnsemble Characteristics of Large DBs; Image Proc. Don CowanHI Education Chrysanne DiMarcoNatural Language Generation; AI Paul KearneyBioinformatics Alan LawMathematical Modeling; Algorithms Jan MacNeillManagement of Technology; Organizational Factors Anne Banks-PidduckSoftware Engineering; e-Commerce; Org’l Issues Dale SchuurmansHealth Databases; Data Mining, Warehousing; AI Frank TompaText Databases; Structure Docs.; Data Mining Grant WeddellHealth Databases

11 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Current CCSRHI Health Informatics Activities  Bioinformatics (Kearney).  Natural Language Generation in Health Promotion (DiMarco).  HI Curriculum Development (Covvey).  The Limits of UMLS (Under Investigation).  Word Prediction for Impaired Users (Renaud*).  Bayesian Techniques for Decision Support (Lu*).  Health Resource Scheduling (Thompson*). * Students Seeking collaborators in the health sector with interesting problems where CS can contribute.

12 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Other CCSRHI Activities  Planning a monthly seminar on HI topics of current interest.  Open to UW faculty and students.  Also open to interested parties from the health system and related industries.  Developing a website that provides information about the Center, as well as an access point to HI literature.  Planning think tanks on topics of importance in HI.  Remotely accessible via virtual conferencing techniques.  Identifying and cultivating collaborators in industry, in the health system, and at other schools with HI programs.

13 University of Waterloo Computer Science Department Graduate Specialization in Health Informatics

14 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Health Informatics Research-Related Activities  Graduate Specialization in Health Informatics  Opportunity to do Computer Science research in a health-related area.  Health Information Management.  Intelligent Health Systems  The Health User Interface and Interactive Systems.  Health Communications.  Mathematical Computing in Health.  The Health Infrastructure: Operating Systems, Languages, Systems Architectures.  Research Preparation Course: Frontiers of CS Research in Health Informatics.  Identifying, understanding, and looking beyond the CS underpinnings of health informatics.

15 University of Waterloo Computer Science Department Graduate Course: Frontiers of CS Research in Health Informatics

16 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives The Frontiers of CS Research in HI: Learning Objectives  On completion of this course, the student will be able:  To identify the major current thrusts of HI research.  To explain the pathway to the current research, describing predecessor systems/approaches.  To define next steps in terms of potential research problems that likely lie ahead of current work and that can potentially significantly advance the field.  To identify concepts and methods from Computer Science, Mathematics, and other disciplines that might be productively applied in this research.  To launch his or her own research more independently.

17 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives The Frontiers of CS Research in HI: Format  Course meets for 1.5 hrs twice 2X/wk (1 st offered summer 2000).  For each topical area there is a “breadth session” that parses the area and summarizes current activity and knowledge.  The 2nd session for each topic (the “depth session”) identifies key issues and gaps in knowledge, methods, and tools.  In the 3rd session, student research into a specific HI sub-topic identifies and characterizes open problems, what needed for progress, and where potential solutions might come from.  The final session in each topical area is an invited keynote talk by an active HI researcher in a selected HI sub-topic.  Highlights problems at the leading edge of current research, and imparts an understanding of the key advances required.  Evaluation: class reading and presentation assignments, presented and written project on an HI topic, oral.

18 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Potential Health Informatics Research Areas  Health Information Management.  The multimedia longitudinal patient record.  Intelligent Health Systems.  The Nature of Cognition and Decision-Making in Health.  The Health User Interface and Interactive Systems.  Adaptive Interfaces for Health Care Providers; Provider Wkstns  Health Communications.  Telehealth and Telemedicine.

19 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Potential Health Informatics Research Areas  Mathematical Computing in Health.  Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.  Operating Systems, Languages, and the Health Infrastructure.  Security of Health Systems.  Social Aspects of Computing.  Privacy and confidentiality.

20 University of Waterloo Computer Science Department The Education Program For Health Informatics Professionals

21 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives EPHIP Motivation  There are thousands of IT/IM professionals in the health system and health-related industries.  Many are incompletely prepared for their roles.  Most lack either management or Computer Science education.  Virtually none have a Health Informatics background.  All are employed adults, with only a few willing or able to leave their jobs to attend school.  There are many recognized educational needs:  IT/IM strategic planning and action.  Process and product re-engineering.  Technology management and evaluation expertise.  Fundamental Computer Science knowledge.  Knowledge of best practices methodologies and techniques.  Leadership and interpersonal skills.  Knowledge of the nature and operation of the health system.

22 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives EPHIP  Target:Employed Health IT/IM Professionals.  Curriculum:Based in Applied Health Informatics Model Curriculum.  Courses:Introduction to Applied Health Informatics. A Health Informatics Perspective of the Health System. The Nature of Health Information and Systems. Health Process and Product Innovation. AHI Management and Personal Competencies. Evaluating IT/IM in Health. Managing the Health Systems Life Cycle. Essentials of Computer Science for Health Informaticians.  Delivery:Synchronous distance education using audio and document conferencing, and follow-up interaction.

23 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives EPHIP  Credentials:Certificate for each course. Diploma for entire program.  Initiation:During  Features:Case-based learning. Highly modular, short “micro-courses”. Modular evaluation. Strong self-directed learning orientation. Course projects.  Fees:~$2,000-$2,500 per course; $15,000-$17,500 for 7-course diploma.  Status:Seeking funding for rapid course development. Course 1 ready Spring of 2001.

24 University of Waterloo Computer Science Department The Health Informatics Advisory Board

25 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Health Informatics Advisory Board (Confirmed) R. BriggsDirector ISLakeridge Health Corporation R. BernsteinHead, M.I. Res.University of Ottawa H. BrownData General Canada T. ClossonPres. + CEOToronto Health Network D. CowanProf. EmeritusUniversity of Waterloo R. DevlinPres. + CEOHumber River Reg. Hospital S. HuesingPresidentHealthcare Comp. + Comm. A. ToppVP, FinanceSunnybrook Hospital, Toronto W. WeilerCitizenWaterloo, Ontario H. WrightCEO Cambridge Memorial Hospital D. ZitnerDirector MIDalhousie University/HEALNet

26 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Health Informatics Advisory Board (Invited) B. BonnettProfessorOntario Veterinary College T. JenkinsCEOOpenText Corporation N. MacDonaldDean of Med.Dalhousie University E. PetersonPresidentMitra Corporation A. WongProfessorVirtek Vision Corporation

27 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives HI Advisory Board Why We Need You:  To obtain advice and feedback from the health sector regarding what we propose to do.  From health organizations, private industry, different provider types, academics, health informatics professionals.  To avail ourselves of continuous health system review and critique of our programs.  To develop collaborations with health system professionals that foster research projects of mutual interest  To develop partnerships that attract research funding. Together we can build a program that benefits the health system.

28 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives What Happens Next  We will follow-up with questions on each of our initiatives.  We seek your critical reactions, insights, and ideas via or direct contact.  Especially regarding the EPHIP, initially.  Regarding how to enhance the relevance of these initiatives to the health system and to industry.  We would welcome meeting with you to discuss areas of mutual interest.  Student projects.  Collaborative research.  Innovation.

29 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives Questions and Discussion

30 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiative Facing Reality

31 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiative Facing Reality

32 University of Waterloo Health Informatics Initiatives