Data and computation are reshaping medicine. Here, we focus on their impact on clinical decision-making. We define “decision-making” as cognitive and other process that directly drive clinical action. Historically, the clinical judgment that underlies decision-making was the sole province of individual providers. Increasingly, however, data and feedback are being incorporated into decision-making processes to improve outcomes and healthcare value. We also note that decisions are not only made within the context of the doctor-patient relationship but also at various organizational levels within the healthcare system (e.g. individual clinical unit, hospital system). Below, we discuss core medical and technological concepts; key stakeholders; emerging trends; and representative clinical examples.
Digitization, Data, and Computation
Data and its “Unreasonable Effectiveness”