Clinical Informatics likely to become board-certified medical sub-speciality

Medical informatics, which has long fallen into a gray area between information technology and medicine, may soon be recognized as a full-fledged medical subspecialty. If this recognition occurs, it will come just as many healthcare organizations and physician practices are beginning to view health information technology as an essential tool for improving the quality and lowering the cost of healthcare.

The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) recently proposed board certification for clinical informatics to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Their proposal was endorsed by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pathology.