Yearbook of Medical Informatics

The Yearbook of Medical Informatics gives an overview of the latest significant research activities in the field of Health and Medical Informatics. It contains original papers from the categories Health and Clinical Management Patient Records Education and Consumer Informatics Health Information Systems Decision Support, Knowledge Representation and Management Medical Signal Processing Biomedical Imaging Bioinformatics · This year's special research section: Ubiquitous Health Care Systems Information technology helps to improve the quality of health care by disseminating and systematizing knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities as well as the organization and management of care. Unobtrusive, active, non-invasive technologies, including wearable devices, allow us to continuously monitor and respond to changes in the health of a patient. Such devices range from micro-sensors, integrated in textiles, through consumer electronics, embedded in fashionable clothes, to belt-worn personal computers with head mounted displays. Such ubiquitous computing allows us to identify new ways of managing care that promises to be considerably easier in letting patients maintain their good health while enjoying their life in their usual social Settings, rather than having to spend much time at costly, dedicated healthcare facilities. It may prove essential for ensuring quality of life as well as health care for increasingly aging societies. The section comprises a selection of some of the most advanced research publications in this challenging field. The IMIA Yearbook of Medical Informatics also presents original reviews by senior scientists describing the current developments of Health and Medical Informatics and keeps its reader informed about international education programs of the field. The Yearbook of Medical Informatics provides information about the work of IMIA and IMIA regional groups.