The status and challenges of clinical informatics development in South Africa

Abstract

Clinical informatics has enormous potential to ensure healthcare quality in both developed and developing countries. This paper examines the status and challenges of clinical informatics in the South African health care sector, In a recent survey of major international research databases such as Scopus, it was observed that there is a gap in knowledge on clinical informatics particularly as related to the status and challenges in the country’s healthcare facilities . The current status and challenges of clinical informatics in South Africa has not been examined. The present study explores the the current status of clinical informatics in the South African  healthcare system as well as the challenges facing the development of clinical informatics in South Africa. Through a literature review, the paper provides a  conceptual background of clinical informatics, discusses the status and challenges of clinical informatics in South Africa. The last part of the paper discusses the  implications of the reviewed literature through a PEST analysis. The paper provides invaluable information on clinical informatics in South Africa that can be used to inform and support further studies in this growing field. The paper is a contribution to discussions and debates on the development of social informatics.

Keywords: clinical informatics, status, challenges, ICT4D, Social informatics, South Africa