Answer:

Introduction

The term data can be defined as information that represents or refers to objects, ideas, conditions or persons. Data is available and present everywhere. Clinical or medical data refers to information that is related to clinical trial programs or patients. Data collection refers to the process of assembling, studying and interpreting different kinds of information. Research is the major reason why data is collected; its analysis and interpretation paves way for understanding a certain area of interest and forms the basis for decision making. Better results can be achieved and better decisions made by ensuring that accurate data is collected and analyzed well.

Types of Medical Data Collected & its Importance

There are three medical data types that may be collected. For instance, the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems gathers the views of patients about healthcare services that they receive from different healthcare facilities. Consumers of health services can then use the information to make comparisons between healthcare providers. The information collected publicized with the aim of improving the quality of services given to patients. Another type of data identified by these authors is patient falls. Patient falls may be defined as the unintentional falling of patients which may not or may result in patients having internal bleeding, lacerations of fractures, which may result in the patients needing more healthcare attention, and hospitals may submit this data voluntarily to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI). Health facilities are also required to reduce patient readmission rates within a 30-day window. And for this reason, hospitals are given financial incentives in what is called the hospital readmission reduction program. Organizations, therefore, collect information on patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pneumonia, and heart failure among others. This information is then used by the organizations in formulating ways of improving outcomes.

Another type of data that may be collected is disease data which is collected in what is called patient or disease registry. This type of data is used to track certain medical conditions such as chronic diseases. These may include cancer, Alzheimer's disease, asthma or diabetes. Information that can be used to manage certain medical conditions can be found in these registries. Researchers in need of information on Alzheimer may access it in the GAAIN registry (Global Alzheimer's Association Interactive Network). Hospitals may also improve cardiovascular care by accessing information in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry. From this registry, they can access huge amounts of information and research done on the disease. It is important to note that there are registries of many other diseases and other kinds of data.

Data collection in medicine is motivated by the need to solve the worldwide problems of humanity such as combating diseases and forecasting epidemics and reducing workloads. Medical agencies may also collect data for the purpose of analyzing in an attempt to find ways of increasing profits. In healthcare, reports from analyzed data may also be used to improve communication between patients and doctors, advanced treatment methods, enhance health outcomes, personalize treatments and create holistic views on patients.

For example, information collected in an EHR system may come from multiple sources and it may include procedures that the patient underwent, current health problems, clinical observations, medications taken and diagnoses (Blobel, B2006). The medical card may also send reminders to patients reminding them to comply with prescriptions or inform them on the need to be tested again. By using this kind of data, doctors are able to provide adequate treatment, establish a connection between symptoms and give an accurate diagnosis.

Through research and analysis of collected medical data, wearable electronic devices have also been introduced in the field of medicine. These devices have greatly aided diagnosis. Body conditions can be monitored using these wearable electronic devices that are fitted with sensors. These wearables are great in aiding data collection and can even send collected information to a doctor (Linder, & Kaib, 2004).

Conclusion

Medical data collection and analysis has also led to the improvement of telemedicine. Telemedicine is a term used to describe clinical services offered by remote clinical centers. Telemedicine encompasses the monitoring of health status, consultations, diagnostics, and even surgical services (Perednia & Allen, 1995). Apart from helping in prevention a patient's condition from worsening, telemedicine has also reduced the costs in offering health services. The doctor and the patient may agree to meet anywhere and at any time for consultation, especially with the advent of smartphones.

References:

• Blobel, B. G. M. E. (2006). Advanced EHR architectures-promises or reality. Methods of Information in Medicine, 45(01), 95-101.
• Cherry, B. J., Ford, E. W., & Peterson, L. T. (2011). Experiences with electronic health records: early adopters in long-term care facilities. Health care management review, 36(3), 265-274.
• Linder, M., & Kaib, T. (2004). U.S. Patent No. 6,681,003. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Lown, B. A., & Rodriguez, D. (2012). Commentary: Lost in translation? How electronic health records structure communication, relationships, and meaning. Academic Medicine, 87(4), 392-394.
• Perednia, D. A., & Allen, A. (1995). Telemedicine technology and clinical applications. Jama, 273(6), 483-488.
• Pyper, C., Amery, J., Watson, M., & Crook, C. (2004). Access to Electronic health records in primary care-a survey of patients' views. Medical Science Monitor, 10(11), SR17-SR22.
• Tai, B., Wu, L. T., & Clark, H. W. (2012). Electronic health records: essential tools in integrating substance abuse treatment with primary care. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 3, 1.