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Overview

The Division of Clinical Informatics, created over 40 years ago by Drs. Howard Bleich and Warner Slack, was among the first academic divisions in the world to concentrate on the use of computers for patient care, teaching, and medical research.

The goals of the Division have been to improve the quality and reduce the cost of medical care, to enhance the quality of medical education, to improve the relationship between doctor and patient, and to explore innovative approaches to research through computing.

Beginning in 1976 the faculty and staff of the Division designed, developed, implemented and studied hospital-wide, integrated computing systems for doctors, other clinicians, and students that would give the results of diagnostic studies immediately upon request; offer access to the biomedical literature with PaperChase (the first program of its kind, which in turn gave rise to a new field of literature searching and spawned numerous derivative programs); offer advice, consultation, alerts and reminders; assist with communication by electronic mail (with the Division's home-grown system, which was the first e-mail to be installed in a clinical facility); assist with order entry; and assist in the day-to-day practice of medicine, both for inpatient and ambulatory care.

40th Anniversary Celebration photos are online!
Click here to View the Gallery

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Division Faculty interviewed on SiriusXM Doctor Radio

Division Faculty member Dr. Henry Feldman was interviewed by SiriusXM's Doctor Radio on August 4th regarding the OpenNotes research project. Click here to hear the interview.

Patient-computer Dialogue Editorial Published

Division Faculty member Dr. Warner Slack wrote an editorial on Patient-computer Dialogue. The editorial was recently published in the proceedings of the Mayo Clinic. Click here to read the editorial.

Division Faculty Interviewed on iPad Use in Healthcare

As previously reported, Division Faculty member Dr. Henry Feldman shared his perspective and reflection on his use of an iPad during his regular care of patients on the hospital wards. Dr. Feldman's writeup was featured on the popular Geek Doctor blog on June 11, and again on June 18th. This unique perspective caught the eye of mobile medical applications site iMedicalApps.com who also conducted an interview with Dr. Feldman.

DCI Challenges Partners Informatics in Paintball

Division faculty, staff, family and friends met at the Maynard Paintball Club for a friendly challenge on the paintball course on June 19th, 2010. DCI (lead by Division Chief Dr. Charles Safran) entered battle against the Partners Informatics group (lead by Division Chief David Bates) and had a great time in the woods. Pictures of the event can be seen in the Gallery.

Division Faculty Details iPad Use in Healthcare

Division Faculty member Dr. Henry Feldman shared his perspective and reflection on his use of an iPad during his regular care of patients on the hospital wards. Dr. Feldman's writeup can be read on the popular Geek Doctor, a blog written by BIDMC and HMS CIO and Division Faculty member Dr. John Halamka.

Division Faculty Highlighted in New Book

Division Faculty member Dr. Warner Slack was highlighted in the book The Decision Tree by Thomas Goetz of Wired.com fame. Dr. Slack's accomplishments in promoting the importance of Patient-Centric medicine and his ground breaking work in proving the effectiveness and importance of the open exchange of information with the patient are the focus of the book's final chapter. Click here for more information on the book.

Division Celebrates 40 Years

The Division of Clinical Informatics proudly celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Symposium and Gala dinner on March 8th, 2010. Current and former faculty and staff as well as friends and well wishers were invited to the celebrations at the Harvard Club where the Division's history, influence and impact were highlighted by Division founders, Drs. Warner Slack and Howard Bleich, and Division Chief Dr. Charles Safran. Event media can be viewed here.

Division Chief meets Kuwaiti Health Minister

Division Chief Dr. Charles Safran and a delegation from Joslin Diabetes Center met with the Minister of Health, Dr. Hilal Al Sayer, in Kuwait in Mid-January. A picture of their meeting can be seen here.

Division Faculty Attends Arab Health 2010 with NZTE

Division Faculty Dr. Shane Reti (QSM) acted as an Industry expert for the New Zealand Healthcare Technologies Seminar, an event organized by the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) at Arab Health 2010 in Dubai. Dr. Reti not only presented, but also helped to facilitate and organize the seminar. A photo of Dr. Reti at Arab Health 2010 can be seen here.

Division Faculty Presents To Analysts & Policy Makers At The NZ Embassy, Washington D.C.

Division Faculty Dr. Shane Reti (QSM) was greeted by the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, DC in December 2009. A photo of the meeting with other key New Zealand representatives can be seen here.

Division Faculty Accepts Position at General Electric

Dr. Meghan Dierks has accepted a position as a Physician Executive at General Electric's Healthcare Division. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading the risk assessment and patient safety processes, reviewing clinical risk as it relates to patient safety from interaction with Device/Healthcare IT products, and provide clinical input to Risk Assessments, Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Health Severity assessments with the risk management process. Dr. Dierks will continue on the division's part-time faculty and will help to mentor fellows and PHD students.

Division Faculty Speak at MIT

Dr. Henry Feldman, Dr. Meghan Dierks and Dr. Stan Finkelstein spoke at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology regarding a Stroke study being conducted between the United States and United Kingdom.

Division Faculty Featured For Work With Pet Therapy

Dr. Henry Feldman was featured in ACP Hospitalist magazine for his work with Caring Canines to bring pet therapy to BIDMC. The article can be seen here.
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Division Faculty Appointed APA Distinguished Life Fellow

Steven Locke, MD, HST Affiliated Faculty member and Technology and Course Director for HST921, was appointed a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association at its 2009 Annual Meeting. Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession, and is the highest membership honor the APA bestows upon members.
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Division Chief Featured in New York Times Article

Division Chief Dr. Charles Safran is featured in an article in the New York Times titled "Health Care Industry Moves Slowly Onto the Internet".
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Division Faculty Gives Talk in Brighton, UK

Division Faculty Member Dr. Henry Feldman spoke to the Health and Care Infrastructure Research and Innovation Centre about the differences in care for strokes between the US and UK.
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Division Chief Featured in BusinessWeek Article

Division Chief Dr. Charles Safran is featured in an article in the BusinessWeek titled "Stopping Epidemics Before They Start".
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Division Faculty Given National Award

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center psychiatrist Steven E. Locke, MD was awarded the "Ronnie Stangler" Award for Innovation by the American Association of Technology in Psychiatry (AATP), an affiliate of the American Psychiatric Association, at their annual meeting held in Washington DC on May 3rd, 2008. <More...>