Exam 4: Information Systemstechnology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care

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The responses may vary based on several factors, but here are some basic ideas about Big Data and mobile health apps. Big Data is the massive size and amount of data which is being captured through the use of informatics in healthcare such as the EHR. The use of mobile apps such as fitness apps, diet trackers, and heart rate trackers can be used to learn about individual's habits and behaviors related to health. The companies who have this data can provide information at the level of the individual or at the level of a geographic area. For example, some fitness trackers aggregate data from a geographic area to report the activity level of residents in that area. This can help identify geographic areas that have more physical activity compared to those that do not. When these systems are able to effectively interface with health information systems, the individual's information can be placed in the health record and compared to the population area or used to help track health behaviors. Some problems from the mobile apps include privacy and confidentiality concerns. For example, will the company creating the app be able to gain access to personal health records when data is placed in the EHR? Other issues include the fact that the geographic data may only be applicable to people who have purchased certain devices. It is less likely that low income populations will purchase something like the Apple Watch, therefore the data available may not give a complete picture of a population area. Some mobile apps are better at picking up on physical activity or monitoring heart rates compared to others, so the quality of the data also becomes a concern. Other factors may be discussed related to mobile apps and their ability to transform healthcare.