Applying medical Informatics to support evidence based clinical practice

This paper outlines the need for trained informatics professionals to become partners and members of the multidisciplinary team in the clinical research environment. Informatics, as well as the informaticist, are important components for supporting the process of evidence-based medicine (EBM). In this manuscript we intend to describe situations occurring in our cancer center that justify the need for a customizable electronic medical record system that will enable us to monitor new treatments for cancer and identify when they work best. Additionally we will describe the challenges encountered when proposing and establishing an informatics component for cancer research.