Role of data in healthcare industry

Chapter 1 - Role of data in healthcare

Introduction

• Data consumption/ generation Trend

Have you ever tried to imagine how much data is being generated annually in global level and in what rate is growing?

IDC (International Data Corporation) and Statista, both well recognized organizations in the area of data within multiple industries, agree on the following trend, regarding data consumption trend:?

Data in healthcare

AS mentioned, an enormous amount of data is being constantly generated from different sources, in different types and formats, within a year, in a way that each record or event of the captured data, meet our social needs differently.

One of these impactful social needs is healthcare. Similar to any other industries healthcare organizations produce data at a tremendous rate, which presents several advantages and challenges at the same time.

Elaboration?

• Sources of “big data” in healthcare

In order to leverage the produced data in the healthcare industry, in an optimum manner, it is vital to understand the sources in essence, to categorize them.

What can be considered as a source for big data in healthcare?

• Challenges

While data and the insights that are generated from, can be very useful, there are still delicate challenges that might negatively affect the results, and hence the interpretations.

Since the topic is healthcare, the misinterpretations of the data, which will potentially impact the decisions, must be kept to minimum through tests and multiple validations.

Some of the evident challenges:

-???????Merging the databases

-???????Validity of the collected data

-???????Functional data models and complexities

-???????Strict privacy regulations on collecting health data

-???????Confidential records of data, mainly captured by giant companies?

• Applications

If all concerns considered addressed, big data is applicable and may significantly improve the following areas:?

Using big data analysis to deliver information that is evidence-based will, over time, increase efficiencies and help sharpen our understanding of the best practices associated with any disease, injury or illness.

Conclusion

All in all, the benefits and the huge positive impact that data can drive in healthcare industry is evident and eventually unavoidable. Meanwhile, concerns such as data management, infrastructural requirements and privacy, will remain topics of discussions.

In future releases, the data sources, analytical methodologies, requirements, benefits as well as challenges will be dissected further.?

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