Fellow

This is your dedicated time to immerse yourself in the world of clinical informatics (CI). You'll gain a strong foundation in core concepts and develop the practical skills needed to become a leader in the field. Maximize this opportunity by actively engaging in all aspects of your fellowship program.

Year One: Building Your Foundation

Didactics and Coursework

Master core concepts and immerse yourself in foundational topics, including:

• Data standards and interoperability (HL7, FHIR, SNOMED CT, LOINC).
• Clinical decision support systems (CDSS).
• Electronic health record (EHR) systems and their functionalities.
• Data analytics and visualization.
• Database design and management.
• Project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall).
• Human factors and usability.
• Change management and implementation science.
• Healthcare policy and regulations (e.g., HIPAA, Meaningful Use/Promoting Interoperability).
• Ethics and privacy in CI.
• Biomedical and health informatics.

If not already obtained, consider pursuing a master's degree in biomedical or health informatics, or a related field (many fellowships offer this as part of the curriculum). You should also attend lectures, seminars, and journal clubs to engage with faculty, guest speakers, and your co-fellows. This is an opportunity to build strong professional relationships. The CI community is a relatively small and tight-knit one compared to emergency medicine (EM), and you will likely run into familiar faces across multiple settings.

Rotations and Clinical Experiences

• Immerse Yourself: Participate in rotations across various informatics-related departments, such as clinical decision support, ;EHR optimization and implementation, quality improvement and patient safety, data analytics and reporting, telehealth and digital health, research informatics, and pharmacy informatics.
• Gain Hands-On Experience: Participate in system design, implementation, and evaluation activities. Shadow informaticists, analysts, and other team members to observe their daily workflows.
• Apply Your Knowledge: Start to connect the dots between your didactic learning and real-world informatics practice.

Scholarly Activity

• Identify a Project: Begin exploring potential research or operational projects that align with your interests and the needs of your institution.
• Develop a Proposal: Work with your faculty mentors to develop a well-defined project proposal, including aims, methods, and anticipated outcomes.
• Data Collection/Initial Work: If possible, start preliminary data collection or project work.

Year Two: Specialization and Leadership

Advanced Training

• Deepen Expertise: Focus on areas of particular interest through advanced coursework, electives, or specialized rotations. Consider topics such as natural language processing (NLP), machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, predictive modeling, population health management, or consumer health informatics.
• Develop Leadership Skills: Seek out opportunities to lead project teams, mentor junior colleagues, or present your work at conferences.

Capstone Project

• Execute Your Project: Conduct your research or operational project, applying the knowledge and skills you've acquired.
• Analyze and Interpret: Analyze your data, draw meaningful conclusions, and develop recommendations for practice or further research.
• Disseminate Findings: Prepare a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and/or present your work at a national conference.

Professional Development

• Engage with Professional Societies: Become an active member of organizations like the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) and the Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
• Networking: Attend conferences, workshops, and networking events to connect with leaders in the field.
• Board Certification: Prepare for and pass the CI board exam offered by the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) or the American Board of Pathology (ABP).

Job Search

• Define Your Career Goals: Refine your career aspirations based on your fellowship experiences.
• Prepare Your CV and Portfolio: Highlight your projects, publications, presentations, and relevant skills.
• Network and Interview: Leverage your professional network to identify job opportunities and practice your interviewing skills.

Throughout Your Fellowship

• Mentorship: Cultivate strong relationships with your faculty mentors. Seek their guidance on academic, research, and career matters.
• Self-Reflection: Regularly assess your progress, identify areas for improvement, and seek feedback from mentors and colleagues.
• Stay Current: The field of CI is constantly evolving. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies by reading journals, attending conferences, and participating in online forums.

By the end of your fellowship, you should be well-equipped to embark on a successful career in CI, contributing to the improvement of healthcare delivery through the effective use of information and technology.