Clinical Informatics is the application of data and clinical knowledge to support healthcare delivery. This growing field bridges healthcare and technology, enhancing how healthcare data is captured and analysed. Within the NHS, it encompasses diverse applications from analysing clinical data and workflows to supporting healthcare IT system implementation. Clinical informaticians combine medical knowledge with technical expertise, using strong communication skills to translate between clinical needs and technical solutions.
I am a Clinical Informatics trainee within the Clinical Scientific Computing team at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT). I started this position in September 2023 and am following the three-year Scientist Training Programme and adhering to the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) curriculum.
As part of my training, I am developing skills and gaining experience in:
- Medical software and AI development
- Clinical validation and deployment of AI
- AI model training for medical imaging
- Clinical decision support systems
- Data science and analytics
- Business intelligence in healthcare
- Data curation and management
- Genomics and bioinformatics
- Clinical system integration and connectivity
- Software development and programming
- Maintenance of clinical software
- Policy and regulation around clinical data usage
- Hospital data utilisation across various domains
The training programme is structured into core, rotation, and specialist modules, culminating in an MSc in Clinical Science and eligibility for registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council.
| Phase | Modules | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Throughout | Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science | 20 |
| Throughout | Individual Professional Development | 0 |
| 1 | Rotation modules | 40 |
| 2 | Research Skills in Healthcare Science | 10 |
| 2 | Specialist module(s) | 20 |
| 3 | STP Project | 60 |
| 3 | Specialist module(s) | 30 |
| Total Credits | 180 |