Evaluation as a tool to increase knowledge in healthcare informatics

The evaluation of information systems is an important topic in Clinical Informatics. It is argued that past evaluations have not been particularly informative in progressing the effective use of IT in healthcare due to their narrow focus. The different roles of evaluation in Clinical Informatics are examined, and the breadth and diversity of the available methodological tool kit highlighted. The aim is to stimulate a greater awareness of the roles and methods of evaluation. Challenges in evaluation which face the Clinical Informatics community are discussed and finally some comments made concerning the way in which evaluation might be made more effective in order to improve our knowledge of how to deliver useful systems into healthcare.