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Research

Core Research Strengths

Research is a notable component to the interdisciplinary nature of the CHIP program. Health Informatics research at UNC-Chapel Hill is characterized by close collaborations among faculty across multiple academic departments and professional schools. The health informatics research network on UNC campus also includes several interdisciplinary research and clinical centers and laboratories. Six primary areas of research not only highlight faculty interests, but also demonstrate how the CHIP program has made an impact on knowledge gains in the field. These areas of research focus include: user-centered design and interactive systems; data science, AI, and precision health; computational biology and drug discovery; organizational behavior and patient safety; informational retrieval and librarianship; applied clinical informatics.

User-Centered Design and Interactive Systems

A user-centered design approach involves the user throughout the design process to create easy to use products of value. Interactive systems are defined as the interaction of an individual with technology. Interactive system development benefits from a user-centered design approach to meet user needs and effectively support tasks.

CHIP Core faculty with expertise and interest related to user-centered design and interactive systems:

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Data Science, AI, and Precision Health

Data science is an interdisciplinary field that combines statistics, programming, analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to analyze, visualize, and derive insights from data. These insights can be used to guide decision making.

Precision health is an approach to patient care to formulate treatment and prevention plans based on a patient’s unique background. Through the use of data and data insights, researchers can optimize prevention, treatment and care at the individual level.

CHIP Core faculty with expertise and interest related to data science, AI, and precision health:

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Computational Biology and Drug Discovery

Computational biology builds models of biological systems and collects and analyzes data to answer questions about biological systems. Computational biology can accelerate the discovery of novel drugs.

CHIP Core faculty with expertise and interest related to computational biology and drug discovery:

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Organizational Behavior and Patient Safety

Organizational behavior is the study of how people act in organizations and how organizations can function more effectively. This includes how employees behave with each other, processes, culture, and safety. Organizational behavior plays a crucial role in patient safety in a healthcare setting. A work culture that encourages open communication, error reporting, and engagement creates a strong patient safety environment.

CHIP Core faculty with expertise and interest related to organizational behavior and patient safety:

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Information Retrieval and Librarianship

Information retrieval is the process of finding information effectively and efficiently from a data set. Information retrieval systems assist with the search, location, and presentation of information that matches a user’s request. Search engines, such as google, are an example of information retrieval systems.

Librarianship can help practicing librarians better meet their community or organization’s information and learning needs. From bridging the digital divide to creating more inclusive spaces, SILS faculty strive to find modern approaches to the traditional values of library science: universal access, collaboration, intellectual freedom, self-directed learning, organization, and stewardship.

CHIP Core faculty with expertise and interest related to informational retrieval and librarianship:

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Applied Clinical Informatics

Clinical informatics involves the discovery and management of new information related to health and disease. This includes management of information related to clinical trials and the research use of clinical data. Research in this domain includes evaluation of existing information systems, such as electronic health record (EHR’s).

CHIP Core faculty with expertise and interest related to applied clinical informatics: