Data: The Lifeblood of Modern Healthcare

According to the second 2018 Future Health Index report, which looked at the obstacles facing the integration of electronic health records and how to move data to the heart of healthcare systems, 89 percent of nurses and 88 percent of doctors believe electronic health records (EHRs) to be extremely or somewhat important.

The report, commissioned by Philips and based on interviews with global leaders in value-based and healthcare data from 16 countries, unearthed practical insights designed to accelerate the collection, analysis and use of healthcare information.

The report suggests that data has become “the lifeblood of modern healthcare systems”.

High-quality data, held within effective information and analytical systems, is key to dealing with increased demands being placed on public health, health systems and care workers.

Key recommendations

The Index offers five key recommendations to drive better collection, analysis and use of healthcare data in order to deliver value based healthcare.

1. Get regulation right

Clearly defined policies and robust data privacy and security standards at the national level build confidence in all parts of the healthcare continuum. Healthcare institutions develop their own data codes of practice, as well as encouraging healthcare professionals and the general population to collect, share and analyse data with greater confidence.

2. Modernise education

While the importance of HER integration is recognised by the majority of doctors and nurses, a Stanford Medicine study states that 71% of physicians believe EHRs are a major contributor to healthcare professional burnout. With this in mind, adoption of digital tools must start with medical school curriculum.

3. End top-down implementation

Creating EHRs and artificial intelligence solutions must be carried out in collaboration with both healthcare professionals and the general population to successfully integrate.

4. Prove and explain value

Measuring and communicating outcomes will create a body of evidence that will help bridge the understanding of how data collection and analytic tools can make a difference.

5. Harmonise data standards

Companies, healthcare professionals and governments in each market must work together to reach a greater degree of consensus on data formats and protocols.

Read the full report here.

Click here for the key findings of the first 2018 Future Health Index, which looked at building systems for better outcomes.

Photo by Hunter Harritt