There’s an interesting article from Forbes.com that looks at the next big revolution in health care–big data. I’ve provided a brief excerpt below. You may wish to read the complete article.
Every 50 years, there is a revolution in healthcare based on the trends of the era. In the 1870s, healthcare was revolutionized by the germ theory of disease and promotion of public health efforts. In the 1920s, the discovery of penicillin propelled forward the use of medication as treatment for disease. In the 1970s, use of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) ushered in an era of evidence-based medicine. As we approach the 2020s, the trend toward big data, tools and systemization of care will revolutionize the way hospitals and physicians work and, most importantly, the way patients are treated.
Big data refers to a set of information and data so large and complex that it becomes difficult to process using conventional database management tools. At issue is how to access, distribute and utilize this vast amount of “unstructured” data. For patients, clinicians and hospitals that have massive amounts of clinical content in electronic health records (EHRs) that remains unused, the implications can be rising medical error rates and medical costs.
This is the future of healthcare: big data, robust tools and clear processes for intervention. It represents an opportunity for innovators and those that care about healthcare. It represents the potential for better outcomes and better care for patients. Brace for a revolution in healthcare where we all have the opportunity to help and everyone has a stake.
Source: www.forbes.com