Medical informatics as a discipline at the beginning of the 21st century.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the present situation of the discipline medical informatics and to propose actions for change.


METHODS
Evaluation of the current situation mainly based on anecdotal evidence.


RESULTS
The difference between the scientific and the engineering aspects of medical informatics get blurred. Because of the requirements of European funding medical informatics focuses more on engineering than on science. Too many manuscripts are submitted that describe engineered artefacts without a scientific purpose. Some of the subjects (like security issues) that are studied in medical informatics are not considered important by medical faculties thus impeding support.


CONCLUSIONS
The methodological underpinnings of our research should be strengthened, impact studies should be more frequently performed; the quality of results reporting should be increased.
Talmon
J L
JL
Department of Medical Informatics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. talmon,hasman@mi.unimaas.nl
Hasman
A
A
D005544:Forecasting; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000639:trends; D007256:Information Systems; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000639:trends*; D008491:Medical Informatics Applications