About AMIA
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About AMIA

AMIA is the professional home for biomedical and health informatics. 

AMIA is dedicated to promoting the effective organization, analysis, management, and use of information in health care in support of patient care, public health, teaching, research, administration, and related policy. AMIA’s 4,000 members advance the use of health information and communications technology in clinical care and clinical research, personal health management, public health/population, and translational science with the ultimate objective of improving health.

For over thirty years the members of AMIA and its honorific college, the American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI), have sponsored meetings, education, policy and research programs. The federal government frequently calls upon AMIA as a source of informed, unbiased opinions on policy issues relating to the national health information infrastructure, uses and protection of personal health information, and public health considerations, among others.

AMIA is an interdisciplinary and diverse group of individuals and organizations that come from over 65 countries. Individual members include:

  • Physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other clinicians
  • Researchers and educators
  • Advanced students pursuing a career in informatics
  • Scientists and developers
  • Government officials and policy makers
  • Consultants and industry representatives
  • Standards developers

What is Biomedical and Health Informatics?

Biomedical and health informatics applies principles of computer and information science to the advancement of life sciences research, health professions education, public health, and patient care. This multidisciplinary and integrative field focuses on health information and communication technologies (HICT), and involves the computer, cognitive, and social sciences. Biomedical and health informatics has developed its own areas of emphasis and approaches that sets it apart from other professions and disciplines. 

Biomedical and health informatics is an emerging, interdisciplinary and diverse field that:

  • Combines health sciences (such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and allied health) with computer science, management and decision science, biostatistics, engineering and information technology.
  • Solves problems in health care delivery, pharmaceutical, biomedical and health sciences research, health education and clinical/medical decision making.
  • Is essential in all aspects of health care and biomedicine.

The Biomedical and Health Informatics Profession

The demand for workers who understand health care, information systems, and technology is growing rapidly. The US Department of Labor estimates a 49% growth in the demand for trained individuals prepared to be administrators, specialists, consultants, educators, and researchers at organizations that include:

  • Academic institutions
  • Community-based organizations
  • Government agencies and the military
  • Health care facilities
  • Industry
  • International health
  • Private practice
  • Research facilities

Informatics is fundamental to the future of health care, biomedical, clinical, and translational research, and public health. Informatics puts you in a position to make a difference and joining AMIA assures that you will succeed!

Careers in Biomedical and Health Informatics

Careers in biomedical and health informatics exist in clinical care and research, personal health management for patients and consumers, public and population health, health policy, and translational science (translating basic genetic discoveries to improve personal health care). Informaticians help in the design, implementation, and use of systems that manage the increasingly complex and voluminous information in health care delivery and research.

Where Can I Obtain Informatics Training?

  • AMIA's initiatives such as the 10 x 10 informatics training programs offer opportunities for learners at different levels to gain knowledge and skills. The 10x10 program is conducted in a wide range of settings across the United States by AMIA in collaboration with strategic partners in the informatics education community. The program provides introductory and specialized training courses to help build a workforce that will enable information technology to improve the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of health care.
  • Digital Patient Record Certification Examination and Study Guide Healthcare professionals today are faced with a technology-driven environment, one in which their skills in operating new Health Information Systems managing the entire patient environment are necessary to succeed. The DPRC certification was developed to assess a healthcare professional's ability to accurately, dependably, and legally manage patient records in this environment.
  • Formal training and/or certification requirements are essential to ensure that informatics courses and programs prepare graduates for this work. There are excellent college and university programs offering options in biomedical and health informatics.

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