Big data may have different potential benefits and challenges. However, some strategies can be used to overcome the risks. This discussion presents the potential benefits and challenges of using big data as part of a clinical system and the reasons behind these potential benefits or challenges. It will also propose a strategy to mitigate big data’s potential challenges or risks effectively.
">Adopting new healthcare technology as information technology also advances comes with big data. According to Dash et al. (2019), big data means the enormous amount of information created by adopting technologies that collect patients’ records, which require new technology to capture, store, analyze, and assist decision-making, optimize processes, and manage hospital performance.
Big data may have different potential benefits and challenges. However, some strategies can be used to overcome the risks. This discussion presents the potential benefits and challenges of using big data as part of a clinical system and the reasons behind these potential benefits or challenges. It will also propose a strategy to mitigate big data’s potential challenges or risks effectively.
The potential benefits of having big data as a part of a clinical system include improved research and better patient care. As mentioned earlier, big data means enormous amounts of information. When researchers have large volumes of information, they are more likely to collect enough data for medical research.
Hassan et al. (2019) note that big data enhances better and more unbiased medical research since there is enough data from which to draw conclusions. In addition, big data in clinical systems can lead to better patient care in that adequate data volumes mean a better understanding of current patient care services. According to Shilo et al. (2020), big data enables healthcare administrators to understand patient care experiences better, thus improving them.
The potential challenges and risks of using big data in clinical systems include privacy and security issues and lack of the required talent/skillset. Big data entails patients’ personal/medical information. Thew (2016) notes that access to patient data by unauthorized persons may lead to privacy and security issues as the data can be used for phishing and scams, among other malicious intentions. In addition, managing and analyzing big data requires a certain skill set, which is a significant challenge. A combination of statistical, medical, and information technology knowledge is needed to apply big data solutions, which is hard to find.
One strategy to mitigate the risks of using big data in clinical systems is robust data privacy and security safeguards. These safeguards include biometric verification, passwords, firewall installation, and the development of institutional policies for data protection. The other strategy is providing comprehensive and quality data training for the personnel to manage big data in an institution. Therefore, using the proposed strategies will help overcome big data risks and enable an institution to enjoy big data benefits.
Dash, S., Shakyawar, S. K., Sharma, M., & Kaushik, S. (2019). Big data in healthcare: management, analysis and future prospects. Journal of Big Data, 6(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40537-019-0217-0
Hassan, M. K., El Desouky, A. I., Elghamrawy, S. M., & Sarhan, A. M. (2019). Big data challenges and opportunities in healthcare informatics and smart hospitals. Security in Smart Cities: Models, Applications, and Challenges, 3-26. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01560-2_1
Shilo, S., Rossman, H., & Segal, E. (2020). Axes of a revolution: challenges and promises of big data in healthcare. Nature Medicine, 26(1), 29-38. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0727-5
Thew, J. (2016, April 19). Big data means big potential, challenges for nurse execs. Accessed 21st June 2023 from https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/nursing/big-data-means-big-potential-challenges-nurse-execs
HealthIT.gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR)? Retrieved from
Struggling with online classes or exams? Get expert help to ace your coursework, assignments, and tests stress-free!