ABSTRACT
There is a rapid pace of discovery in modern imaging technologies and physicians are challenged by the explosion of bioimaging information available in everyday clinical practice. Imaging informatics has developed to a distinct subspecialty of imaging sciences, mainly radiology, and endeavors to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of imaging services within the medical enterprise (Branstetter, 2007a,b; Harrington, 2006a,b). Basically, informatics studies the flow and distribution of information between different places or individuals and analyzes the various means that are employed for data processing and manipulation (Branstetter, 2007a; Hersh, 2009; Kagadis et al., 2008). Van Bemmel has conceptualized six different structural levels of computer applications in health and medicine. This model essentially applies across all disciplines involving informatics in everyday patient care. Level 1 is Communication and Telematics and deals with data acquisition and transfer. Level 2 is Storage and Retrieval and deals with information storage in a data repository. Level 3 is Processing and involves a computer program to process the data as necessary. Level 4 is Diagnosis and combines data processing with human interaction to assist with decision making. Level 5 is Treatment and finally level 6 is Research (van Bemmel, 1984).
