title: Integrating genomics into health information systems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To outline the main issues related to the impact of the data generated by the Human Genome Project on health information systems. A major challenge for medical informatics is identified, consisting of adapting traditional systems to new genetic-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reviewing and analysing the different health information levels from an organisational complexity point of view. A model is proposed to explain the interactions between health informatics, bioinformatics and molecular medicine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We suggest a new framework that integrates genetic data into health information systems. Using this model, new topics for future research and development are identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We are witnessing the birth of a new era (post-genomics). In this era technological advancements in genomics offer new opportunities for clinical applications. Medical informaticians should play an important role in this new endeavour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioinformatics, Health Informatics Coordination Unit, Institute of Health Carlos III, Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs, Madrid, Spain. fmartin@isciii.es
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martin-Sanchez
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maojo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lopez-Campos
mesh_terms: D030541:Databases, Genetic; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics; D008967:Molecular Biology