title: The evolution of definitions for nursing informatics: a critical analysis and revised definition.
abstract: Despite the fact that nursing informatics is entering its third decade as a specialty within nursing, many definitions still exist to describe the field. This paper offers a rationale for a definition for nursing informatics and a critical analysis of past definitions. An organizing framework of technology-oriented, conceptual, and role-oriented definitions is used to critique these definitions. Subsequently, a revised definition is proposed. This evolutionary definition integrates critical concepts from past work and adds components that are currently missing--patients, information communication, information structures, and decision making. A separate role specification for informatics nurse specialists is provided.
authors.affiliation: Information Technology Services, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84108, USA. nancy.staggers@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Staggers
authors.forename: Cheryl Bagley
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D008490:Medical Informatics; D009729:Nursing; D009626:Terminology as Topic