Another timely reminder that before one get's carried away by big data, streaming data, self-service BI, data discovery, predictive analytics, AI and what have you.....
In the case cited, 3 million apparent patients in UK GP's databases could be phantom patients. Which means any analytics is for a start working on a phantom 5% of the total universe.
Gaining a better control of data will help the NHS improve precision and accuracy in its records. Its data will become an asset, and a means of national health intelligence. It can help the health service drive positive, preventative outcomes, reducing pressure on the service and improving health and fitness. A utopian view? Perhaps – but without the need for ghostbusters.
