Digital health care and data work: Who are the data professionals?

Abstract

Background: This article reports on a study that investigated data professionals in health care. The topic is interesting and relevant because of the ongoing trend towards digitisation of the healthcare domain and efforts for it to become data driven, which entail a wide variety of work with data. Objective: Despite an interest in data science and more broadly in data work, we know surprisingly little about the people who work with data in healthcare. Therefore, we investigated data work at a large national healthcare data organisation in Denmark. Method: An explorative mixed method approach combining a non-probability technique for design of an open survey with a target population of 300+ and 11 semi-structured interviews, was applied. Results: We report findings relevant to educational background, work identity, work tasks, and how staff acquired competences and knowledge, as well as what these attributes comprised. We found recurring themes of healthcare knowledge, data analytical skills, and information technology, reflected in education, competences and knowledge. However, there was considerable variation within and beyond those themes, and indeed most competences were learned “on the job” rather than as part of formal education. Conclusion: Becoming a professional working with data in health care can be the result of different career paths. The most recurring work identity was that of “data analyst”; however, a wide variety of responses indicated that a stable data worker identity has not yet developed. Implications: The findings present implications for educational policy makers and healthcare managers.

A Call for a Health Data–Informed Workforce Among Clinicians

“…The complexity of health data has evolved into the field of health informatics. Multiple studies have indicated that the field of health informatics is diverse, with a wide variety of education and workplace requirements [ 1 7 8 ]. Health informatics is a field that explores the use of health data for “scientific inquiry, problem-solving, decision making” with the intent to improve health care delivery and impact [ 9 ].…”

“…In other words, health informatics is a wide field focused on health data and their utility to impact health care outcomes. Health informaticists hold expertise in data management, security, privacy, and governance requirements to support safe handling of protected health information [ 1 ]. They are also challenged to ensure that health data are interpreted and presented meaningfully to stakeholders, including clinicians; health care leaders; and most importantly, patients [ 22 ].…”

“…They can be invaluable in selecting health technology, vendor management, training and implementation, and project implementation, not to mention data handling! They offer a wide variety of skills to a team interacting with health technology and data, including data extraction, quality metrics, data analysis, dashboard builds, etc [ 1 ].…”

“…The clinician coauthors listed here represent this sphere and are still learning every day. We represent the diverse background of professionals that exist in the health data space, with a wide variety of journeys into this arena [ 1 ]. “Health data” is a broad term, often referring to data collected and exchanged in electronic systems.…”

“…In health care, a health data–informed workforce is needed to remedy the gaps and make the important connections for positive change. In our experiences and those of our peers, we interact with clinicians who learned about informatics and health data on the job [ 1 ]. Many stories start with an interest in data and technology or some savviness with technology.…”