You are an IT manager for a large healthcare entity. A major initiative for your organization is to better leverage healthcare data to improve patient outcomes and drive a reduction in cost. You have been tasked to create a memo to senior leadership on why you should begin to leverage the enormous amount of data that the organization currently is paying an exorbitant amount of money on and how better utilizing this data will help to drive other organizational cost down.
In creating this memo, you will need to explain the three Vs of big data, and consider how better utilizing this data will reduce other cost either related to consolidation of resources, decreased external threats to your organization by securing data, and how improved reporting capacities impacts patient outcomes. Discuss how data creates excellence in care and population health management as well as how health disparities can improve.
Carefully Read:
Sharma, N., Panwar, A., & Sugandh, U. (2018). Big Data Analytics in Health Care: A Literature Survey. International Journal Of Recent Research Aspects, 5(1), 127-132.
Vuong, Z. (2017, January 6). Health: Big data could be the new hope for the future of health. Retrieved from USC News: https://news.usc.edu/114592/big-data-could-be-the-new-hope-for-the-future-of-health/
Matthews, M. R., Miller, C., Stroebel, R. J., & Bunkers, K. S. (2017). Making the Paradigm Shift from Siloed Population Health Management to an Enterprise-Wide Approach. Population Health Management, 20(4), 255-261. doi:10.1089/pop.2016.0064
Wang, Y. C., & DeSalvo, K. (2018). Timely, Granular, and Actionable: Informatics in the Public Health 3.0 Era. American Journal Of Public Health, 108(7), 930-934. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304406
Consider him or herself IT manager for a large healthcare entity.
1. The student is to prepare a formal memo which will go out to Senior Leadership.
2.As a reminder, the student must describe to Senior Leadership what the three V’s of big data are.
3. And consider how better utilizing this data will reduce other cost either related to consolidation of resources, decreased external threats to your organization by securing data.
4. And how improved reporting capacities impacts patient outcomes.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step 1: Understand the Assignment and Audience
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Audience: Senior Leadership—executives who may not be technical. Keep explanations clear, concise, and persuasive.
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Goal: Demonstrate the value of leveraging big data to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
Step 2: Review Key Concepts
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Three Vs of Big Data:
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Volume – The large amount of data collected daily (e.g., EHRs, lab results, claims data).
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Velocity – The speed at which data is generated and needs to be processed.
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Variety – Different types of data (structured, unstructured, clinical notes, imaging, wearables).
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Step 3: Organize Your Memo
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Header: Include To, From, Date, Subject.
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Introduction: Briefly explain why leveraging big data is critical for the organization.
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Body: Use clear sections:
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Three Vs of Big Data – Define each and provide healthcare examples.
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Cost Reduction Opportunities – Discuss resource consolidation, decreased external threats, and improved reporting efficiencies.
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Patient Outcomes & Population Health – Explain how data supports excellence in care, identifies high-risk populations, and reduces health disparities.
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Conclusion/Recommendation: Summarize benefits and propose actionable steps for leadership approval.
Step 4: Use Evidence to Support Your Points
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Cite articles and studies to strengthen your memo:
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Sharma et al. (2018) on healthcare big data analytics
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Vuong (2017) on the promise of big data in healthcare
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Matthews et al. (2017) on enterprise-wide population health management
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Wang & DeSalvo (2018) on public health informatics
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Step 5: Make It Persuasive and Practical
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Use concrete examples: fewer readmissions, quicker diagnostics, lower IT storage costs.
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Highlight strategic value: improved patient satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and reduced errors.
Step 6: Review and Edit
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Ensure the memo is professional and clear.
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Avoid technical jargon where unnecessary—leadership needs actionable insights, not technical manuals.
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Check grammar, formatting, and citation style.
Step 7: Resources for Students