“Big data” is being discussed in the media quite a bit these days. But what exactly is it?
Generally speaking, it’s a data set that’s extremely large and complex, thus requiring advanced technology to turn it into meaningful insights. Yet there’s a good reason to try to collect and interpret it. Simply put, big data can reveal correlations and trends that you couldn’t spot otherwise. As a result, it has the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of disease, crime, traffic, economics and more.
At PatientsLikeMe, where more than 200,000 members are sharing data on their symptoms, treatments and conditions, we’re a perfect example of big data in action. That’s why our team is constantly working on developing the tools needed for you and fellow members to learn from the data that you’re all sharing about your condition(s). Ultimately, our goal is to empower you with the real-world knowledge and big data needed to make informed decisions and achieve the best health outcomes possible.
Want to learn more about the big data movement? Check out this roundup of recent articles discussing how big data is poised to transform the health care industry:
Big Changes Are Ahead for the Health Care Industry, Courtesy of Big Data Fast Company, June 18, 2012
Big Data Can Save Health Care—But at What Cost to Privacy? The Atlantic Weekly, May 25, 2012
The Health Care Industry Turns to Big Data BusinessWeek, May 17, 2012
Health Care Is Next Frontier for Big Data Wall Street Journal, January 19, 2012
What do you think about the excitement surrounding big data?