Potential benefit of using big data in a clinical system:

Improved patient care: Big data can be used to improve patient care in a number of ways. For example, it can be used to identify patients who are at high risk of developing certain diseases, so that they can be monitored more closely and preventive measures can be taken. Big data can also be used to develop more personalized treatment plans for patients, based on their individual medical history and other factors.

Example: A hospital uses big data to identify patients who are at high risk of developing pneumonia. The hospital then uses this information to develop a targeted intervention program for these patients, which includes providing them with education about pneumonia prevention and encouraging them to get vaccinated. As a result of this program, the number of patients at the hospital who develop pneumonia has decreased by 20%.

Potential challenge or risk of using big data in a clinical system:

Privacy and security risks: One of the biggest challenges of using big data in clinical systems is protecting the privacy and security of patient data. Big data systems often contain large amounts of sensitive data, such as patients’ medical histories, financial information, and personal contact information. This data is a valuable target for hackers and other criminals.

Example: In 2015, hackers breached the computer systems of Anthem, a major health insurance company. The hackers gained access to the personal information of over 78 million Anthem customers, including their names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. This data breach is a reminder of the importance of protecting the privacy and security of patient data.

Strategy to mitigate the challenges or risks of using big data:

Data encryption: One way to mitigate the privacy and security risks of using big data is to encrypt the data. This means that the data is converted into a format that is unreadable to anyone who does not have the encryption key.

Example: A hospital uses encryption to protect its patients’ medical records. The hospital’s medical records system is encrypted, so that only authorized personnel can access the data.

Conclusion

Big data has the potential to revolutionize healthcare. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges and risks associated with using big data in clinical systems. By taking steps to mitigate these risks, such as encrypting data, healthcare organizations can safely and effectively use big data to improve patient care.