Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for improved clinical workflow using gesture recognition. Certain embodiments include establishing a communication link between an interface and a remote system, and utilizing gesture input to transmit data to, retrieve data from, and/or trigger functionality at the remote system via the communication link. Additionally, the method may include using the gesture input to perform data acquisition, data retrieval, order entry, dictation, data analysis, image review, and/or image annotation, for example. In certain embodiments, a response from the remote system is displayed. In certain embodiments, the gesture input corresponds to a sequence of healthcare application commands for execution at the remote system. In certain embodiments, the interface includes a default translation between gestures and functionality. In certain embodiments, a translation between a gesture input and a functionality may be customized for a user and/or a group of users.