What is Clinical & Imaging Informatics?

This four-part, after-hours series introduces imaging informatics and its role in modern medicine, helping students and trainees understand how imaging data, technology, and clinical workflows come together to improve patient care, while also highlighting emerging innovations and potential career paths in the field. Register for each session separately. 

April 20 | Session 1

What is Clinical & Imaging Informatics

April 27 | Session 2

How Clinical Data Moves: The Infrastructure Behind Modern Imaging

May 4 | Session 3

The Imaging Lifecycle: Workflow, Bottlenecks, and Safety

May 11 | Session 4

The Future of AI – Algorithms and Data Sets

Session 1 will be an introductory conversation for undifferentiated medical students, trainees, and residents. This discussion serves as a foundational primer on clinical and imaging informatics, clarifying what the field encompasses and why it matters to every clinician.  

Participants will define informatics beyond “IT,” exploring its role in clinical decision-making, workflow optimization, patient safety, and digital transformation. A focused look at imaging informatics highlights how radiology has historically led the way in health data innovation. The conversation also explores diverse career pathways—including imaging informatics, consumer health, public health, operational leadership, and industry partnerships—offering a practical roadmap for those interested in entering the field. 

Objectives

1. Define clinical informatics and distinguish it from traditional IT roles 
2. Describe the scope and importance of imaging informatics within healthcare systems 
3. Identify major domains of informatics, including consumer health, public health, enterprise operations, and AI 
4. Compare common career pathways in academic, operational, and industry settings 
5. Develop an initial framework for pursuing training or leadership in informatics