Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Big Data in Health Care

Big Data is a term give to large amounts of data that are too complex to track, usually growing exponentially. Being able to view these large amounts of data and arrange it into a format that is easy to understand can be tricky. However, health care services are using digital media across many platforms and are now delving in to big data. 

The main use of big data has mainly revolved around trying to look at historical trends on things such as epidemics in the hope to be able to predict upcoming epidemics. Ben Wolin (2013) has suggested and presented ideas on big data, his first example is an app designed for sufferers of diabetes. Sufferers of the disease are expected to track food, carbs, glucose and weight, most people give up on this. However, a new app released last year by WellDoc shows how big data can be used across any industry. The app works by analysing user data and providing real time alerts with clinical analysis. The app has FDA approval and shows how big data can support the health care industry, keeping up with dietary habits is now a lot easier.

Another current use of big data in health care is an app produced for people with asthma. The app works along with hardware that attaches to the users inhaler which detects when and where the inhaler is used. It also connects wirelessly to the users smart phone where they can input triggers of asthma attacks which helps over use. Another more innovative use is through sensors embedded in medication which allows users to track what medication they have taken. This is useful when considering the ageing population where older patients often forget which medication they have taken.

In 2013 Everyday Health released a new data tool to customise newsletters to recipients using Content Optimisation and Relevancy Engine (CORE). This tool executes 400 billion comparisons a day using 150 terabytes of data. During a year Everyday Health would send out 2 billion emails, since using CORE engagement has increased by 75% causing adherence to increase by 20%. Big data is also useful in marketing health care products.

It is these simple yet innovative tools that can improve health care through big data.

http://henrystewart.metapress.com.ezproxy.brighton.ac.uk/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,6,13;journal,1,5;linkingpublicationresults,1:122831,1

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