Emerging Spinecare Trends
Spine Informatics
Bioinformatics is the field of science in which
biology, computer science, and information technology merge to form a
single discipline. Spine informatics can be defined as the intersection
of spine science, computer science, and a spine pathology database. This
emerging field will strongly impact future spinecare. It will enable
the discovery of new biological insights and be used to develop global
databases from which unifying principles in spine physiology and
pathology can be discerned. Spine informatics encompasses the technology
and methods required to optimize the acquisition, storage, retrieval,
and use of information in spinecare. Informatics tools include
computers, merged databases, and communication systems.
Software programs will be designed to identify specific findings such as disease characteristics or structural features on imaging studies and map them to standard ontologies in an accepted lexicon. This will allow for quick and comprehensive retrieval of information on patients with spine disorders who have had imaging studies done. Major advances in spinecare will emerge secondary to broader development and application of informatics. It will help drive population-based prevention programs and community education.
Software programs will be designed to identify specific findings such as disease characteristics or structural features on imaging studies and map them to standard ontologies in an accepted lexicon. This will allow for quick and comprehensive retrieval of information on patients with spine disorders who have had imaging studies done. Major advances in spinecare will emerge secondary to broader development and application of informatics. It will help drive population-based prevention programs and community education.