Difference between revisions of "Aggregated data"

Revision as of 16:19, 8 March 2013

Aggregate Data and Healthcare

Aggregate data is used to develop information about groups of patients. It allows healthcare professionals to to identify common characteristics that might predict the course of the disease or provide information about the most effective way to treat a disease. It is often used for disease prevention purposes. This can be done through patient interviews, research, and statistical data. Researchers could identity connections between lung cancer and smoking or diabetes and exercise through the use of aggregated data. It is a great way to educate patients and healthcare professionals on the statistical relationship of various healthcare conditions and patient lifestyle decisions.

Public Health

Aggregated data is an important part of public health. It provides researchers information that promotes patient safety, prevention and awareness. The impact of multiple environmental exposures within a given area is a good example of using aggregated data for public health awareness. Environmental exposures has various categories; chemical (contaminated water), radiation (x-rays), air pollutants (gas) and occupational hazards (lead). Assessing population exposure distribution allows researchers to define healthcare outcomes and quantify the association between exposure and response. It also verifies risk characterization which estimates the number of people affected, duration and severity of condition caused by the environmental agent {1}.

Research/Education

Education is an important part of healthcare. It encourages better patient care because healthcare professionals become confident and knowledgeable of healthcare data which makes them comfortable completing their healthcare duties. Aggregated data provides educators and researchers raw real-time data to help establish standard information for education and research. Cancer is a disease that must be studied to obtain information regarding treatment options, medication requirements, progression, etc. A recent study was performed to assess the efficacy and venerability of chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer on a group of patients. Clinical trials were conducted on first-line chemotherapy patients with gastric cancer receiving medication assistance during their treatment. The results showed that the best survival results were achieved with a combination of chemo therapy and a three-drug regimen containing FU, an anthracycline, and cisplatin. This research information through aggregated data has allowed our healthcare team to learn how to manage patients with gastric cancer aggressively and effectively {2}.

Patient Care Cost

The cost of healthcare can be very expensive for the average person. The majority of insurance companies will only cover a small portion of healthcare cost and the rest is left up to the patient. Through aggregated data research healthcare professionals are able to provide patients a cost estimate of their care before they get the recommended treatment/procedures. This allows patients to prepare for upcoming healthcare cost that might not be covered by their insurance company. This is a good way to prevent financial burden from impacting the patient and their families during this transition.

Marketing

Marketing is an important part of buying and selling products in healthcare. Through marketing patient prescriptions, treatments, procedures, EHR vendors, hospital equipment and preferred physicians are recommended. It gives our healthcare team and patients the opportunity to learn different avenues they can take that best fits their needs and situation. It also promotes a growing economy within the healthcare industry. If we didn't have proof of research and experience through aggregated data we wouldn't be able to market products with productive information that guarantees effective results.