title: Pathology training in informatics: evolving to meet a growing need.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mechanics of the practice of medicine in general and of pathology in particular is evolving rapidly with the rise in the use of electronic information systems for managing the care of individual patients, including the ordering and reporting of laboratory tests, maintaining the health of served populations, and documenting the full range of health care activities. Pathologists currently in practice and those in training need to acquire additional skills in informatics to be prepared to maintain a central role in patient care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the evolving landscape of pathology informatics, with particular attention to the preparation of pathologists for this discipline and to the possible influence of the new subspecialty certification in clinical informatics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Most of the information discussed is drawn from the authors' direct experience with informatics, resident and fellow education, and the organizations supporting these activities in pathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increasing reliance of medical practice on electronic health records and other clinical information systems is creating a greater need for physicians skilled in the use and management of these tools. The establishment of clinical informatics as a formal subspecialty in medicine will likely help secure a role for physicians within information management structures at health care institutions. Pathologists must actively engage in informatics to assure that our specialty is appropriately recognized and represented in this growing discipline.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Sinard); the Department of Pathology, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas (Dr Powell); and the Department of Pathology, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC (Dr Karcher).
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sinard
authors.forename: Suzanne Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Karcher
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D063025:Health Information Management / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010336:Pathology / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States