Registration and regulation of health informatics professionals in the UK National Health Service.
Whilst good health informatics can contribute directly to the delivery of effective patient care, bad informatics can kill. The UK is establishing a regulatory body to register health informatics specialists who can demonstrate that they meet agreed standards of professional practice: the UK Council for Health Informatics Professions (UKCHIP). UKCHIP will also manage the introduction of a Code of Conduct (based on the IMIA Code) and processes for continuous professional development, appeals, and removal from the Register. The challenge has been to design a process that provides a suitable structure for all informatics staff, including records, coding, audit, library and knowledge management, ICT, systems, information management and clinical management specialists. The contention is that this inclusive model of regulation has international applicability.
Millen
Di
D
NHS Information Authority, Barnsley, England. d.millen@nhsia.nhs.uk
Lawton
Paul
P
Hayes
Glyn
G
Taylor
Chris
C
D032781:Codes of Ethics; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D033161:Government Regulation; D048088:Informatics / Q000193:education / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards*; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom