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Introduction to Clinical Data Science

4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 421 ratings
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Laura K. Wiley, PhD

This course will prepare you to complete all parts of the Clinical Data Science Specialization. In this course you will learn how clinical data are generated, the format of these data, and the ethical and legal restrictions on these data. You will also learn enough SQL and R programming skills to be able to complete the entire Specialization - even if you are a beginner programmer. While you are taking this course you will have access to an actual clinical data set and a free, online computational environment for data science hosted by our Industry Partner Google Cloud.

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This course will prepare you to complete all parts of the Clinical Data Science Specialization. In this course you will learn how clinical data are generated, the format of these data, and the ethical and legal restrictions on these data. You will also learn enough SQL and R programming skills to be able to complete the entire Specialization - even if you are a beginner programmer. While you are taking this course you will have access to an actual clinical data set and a free, online computational environment for data science hosted by our Industry Partner Google Cloud.

At the end of this course you will be prepared to embark on your clinical data science education journey, learning how to take data created by the healthcare system and improve the health of tomorrow's patients.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the Clinical Data Science Specialization
Learn what clinical data science is all about and get access to the free technology environment hosted by Google Cloud!
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Prepares learners to complete other courses in the Clinical Data Science Specialization
Assists learners who have little to no programming experience
Introduces SQL and R programming skills, which are essential for data science
Provides access to an actual clinical data set and a free, online computational environment for data science
Taught by an experienced instructor with a PhD in Clinical Psychology

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Reviews summary

Intro to clinical data science basics

According to learners, this introductory course provides a solid foundation for the Clinical Data Science Specialization. Students particularly value the opportunity to work with real clinical data and gain hands-on experience with key tools like SQL and R (Tidyverse). The course also provides access to a free Google Cloud environment for completing assignments. While many find the content practical and relevant for career goals, some absolute beginners report the pace in coding sections can be challenging, suggesting some prior exposure to programming might be beneficial. Overall, it successfully prepares many for deeper study in the field.
Access free computational resources for labs.
"Having access to the Google Cloud environment for labs was very convenient and helpful."
"The integrated environment made it easy to follow along with the exercises."
"Appreciated not having to set up complex software locally."
Effectively sets up learners for the next courses.
"This course did an excellent job preparing me for the subsequent courses in the specialization."
"Feel much more confident moving forward after completing this introduction."
"It serves its purpose well as a foundational course for the rest of the series."
Learn foundational programming skills in SQL and R.
"The sections on SQL and R using the tidyverse provided a great starting point for me."
"I gained functional skills in SQL and R that are essential for clinical data science."
"This course gave me the basic programming tools needed for the specialization."
Practice skills using authentic healthcare data.
"Working with the actual clinical data set was incredibly valuable and made the concepts feel real."
"The opportunity to use real clinical data is a huge plus and makes the learning very practical."
"I really appreciated getting to work with a real dataset instead of just theoretical examples."
May be fast-paced for those entirely new to programming.
"If you've never coded before, the pace in the R and SQL parts might feel a bit fast."
"Found it challenging to keep up with the coding exercises without any prior programming background."
"Would recommend getting a very basic intro to R or SQL beforehand if you are completely new."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Clinical Data Science with these activities:
Find a mentor who works in the field of clinical data science
This activity will provide you with guidance and support from an experienced professional.
Show steps
  • Network with people in your field
  • Attend industry events
  • Reach out to potential mentors and ask for their guidance
Review SQL basics
Refresh your knowledge of SQL before starting the course to strengthen your foundational understanding of data querying.
Browse courses on SQL
Show steps
  • Review SQL syntax and commands
  • Practice writing basic SQL queries
  • Complete online tutorials or exercises on SQL
Review concepts of clinical data
This activity will give you a strong foundation in clinical data, which will be essential for understanding the course's content and assignments.
Browse courses on Clinical Data
Show steps
  • Read up on clinical data standards and regulations
  • Explore the different types of clinical data sources
  • Identify the challenges and opportunities of working with clinical data
11 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 14 activities
Complete beginner-friendly R tutorials
Build your R programming skills by following guided tutorials designed for beginners, which will enhance your ability to work with clinical data in R.
Browse courses on R Programming
Show steps
  • Find beginner-friendly R tutorials online or on platforms like Coursera
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step
  • Practice writing basic R code
Review basic SQL skills
This activity will help you prepare your foundational knowledge in SQL, which will be essential for the course's data manipulation assignments and projects.
Browse courses on SQL
Show steps
  • Read through the official SQL tutorial
  • Complete the SQL practice exercises
  • Create a simple database and practice querying it
Learn the basics of R and the tidyverse
This activity will help you develop the programming skills necessary to complete the course's data analysis assignments and projects.
Browse courses on R
Show steps
  • Follow the official R and tidyverse tutorials
  • Complete the practice exercises provided in the tutorials
  • Install R and the tidyverse packages on your computer
Solve SQL practice exercises
Reinforce your SQL skills by solving practice exercises, which will improve your proficiency in data querying and manipulation.
Browse courses on SQL
Show steps
  • Find SQL practice exercises online or in textbooks
  • Solve the exercises independently
  • Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement
Complete SQL challenges and exercises
This activity will help you develop your SQL skills and prepare you for the course's data manipulation assignments.
Browse courses on SQL
Show steps
  • Sign up for an online SQL practice platform
  • Complete the practice challenges and exercises
  • Identify areas where you need additional practice and focus on them
Practice SQL Queries
Reinforce your understanding of SQL and get comfortable with the syntax by practicing writing and executing queries.
Show steps
  • Review the SQL syntax and concepts covered in the course materials.
  • Use the online SQL fiddle or a local database to practice writing queries.
  • Start with simple queries and gradually increase the complexity.
Participate in online discussion forums
Engage with peers by participating in online discussion forums, which will allow you to exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from others' perspectives on clinical data science.
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums related to clinical data science
  • Participate in discussions by posting questions, sharing insights, and responding to others
Create a data dictionary for the clinical data set
This activity will help you understand the structure and content of the clinical data set used in the course.
Show steps
  • Load the clinical data set into a spreadsheet or database
  • Identify the different variables and their data types
  • Create a table or document that describes each variable, including its name, description, and possible values
Develop a data visualization project
Apply your understanding of clinical data by creating a data visualization project, which will enhance your ability to communicate and present clinical insights effectively.
Browse courses on Data Visualization
Show steps
  • Identify a clinical dataset
  • Choose appropriate data visualization techniques
  • Create a data visualization using a tool like Tableau or Power BI
  • Present your visualization and explain your insights
Participate in a study group with other students
This activity will allow you to connect with other students, discuss the course material, and learn from each other's perspectives.
Show steps
  • Find other students who are taking the course
  • Set up a regular meeting time and place
  • Discuss the course material, work on assignments together, and share resources
Participate in a data science competition using clinical data
This activity will challenge you to apply your data science skills to a real-world problem.
Show steps
  • Find a data science competition that uses clinical data
  • Develop a model or approach to solve the problem
  • Submit your solution to the competition

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Clinical Data Science will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associates work with doctors and patients to conduct clinical trials. They collect data from patients and monitor their progress. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Clinical Research Associate. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Data Analyst
Clinical Data Analysts use data to improve the quality of healthcare. They collect, clean, and analyze data from clinical trials and other sources to identify trends and patterns. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Clinical Data Analyst. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Data Analyst
Medical Writer
Medical Writers write articles, reports, and other materials for healthcare professionals and patients. They explain complex medical information in a clear and concise way. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Medical Writer. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultants help healthcare organizations improve their performance. They analyze data to identify areas for improvement, and then develop and implement solutions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Healthcare Consultant. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers build and maintain machine learning models. They work with Data Scientists to develop models that can predict future events. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Machine Learning Engineer. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer
Health Information Manager
Health Information Managers oversee the management of health information. They ensure that data is accurate, complete, and secure. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Health Information Manager. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Information Manager
Medical Librarian
Medical Librarians help people find and use health information. They work in libraries, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Medical Librarian. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Librarian
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to build models that can predict future events. They use a variety of statistical and machine learning techniques to develop these models. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Data Scientist. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use data to solve problems and make decisions. They collect, clean, and analyze data, and then present their findings to stakeholders. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Data Analyst. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of databases. They ensure that data is stored securely and efficiently, and that users can access the data they need. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Database Administrator. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Physician
Physicians provide medical care to patients. They diagnose and treat diseases, and they prescribe medications. This course may be useful for Physicians who want to learn more about clinical data science. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Physician
Nurse
Nurses provide medical care to patients under the direction of a Physician. They administer medications, monitor patients' vital signs, and provide emotional support. This course may be useful for Nurses who want to learn more about clinical data science. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse
Pharmacist
Pharmacists dispense medications and provide information about their use. They also work with Physicians to develop and manage medication plans for patients. This course may be useful for Pharmacists who want to learn more about clinical data science. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrators oversee the management of healthcare organizations. They set policies, manage budgets, and ensure that the organization is running smoothly. This course may be useful for Healthcare Administrators who want to learn more about clinical data science. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator
Health Policy Analyst
Health Policy Analysts analyze and develop policies that affect the healthcare system. They work with government agencies, healthcare organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that the healthcare system is fair, efficient, and effective. This course may be useful for Health Policy Analysts who want to learn more about clinical data science. You will learn how to use SQL to query databases, and how to use the tidyverse to analyze and visualize data. You will also learn about the ethical and legal restrictions on clinical data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Clinical Data Science.
Cover image
HCISPP HealthCare Information Security and Privacy...
Save
Provides a practical guide to healthcare data analytics, including data management, data analysis, and data visualization. It also covers the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in healthcare.
HCISPP HealthCare Information Security and Privacy...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Practical Data Science with R, Second Edition
Save
Provides a practical guide to using R for data science. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to use R to analyze data.
Practical Data Science with R, Second Edition
Paperback
Check
Practical Data Science with R, Second Edition
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Text Analysis with R
Save
Provides a practical guide to using R for text analysis. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to use R to analyze text data.
Text Analysis with R: For Students of Literature...
Paperback
$$
Text Analysis with R: For Students of Literature...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Doing CBT
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of clinical data analytics for patient safety and quality improvement. It covers topics such as data collection, data analysis, and data visualization. It also discusses the ethical and legal considerations of using clinical data analytics.
Doing CBT: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with...
Paperback
$$$
Doing CBT: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with...
Hardcover
$$$
Doing CBT: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Fundamentals of Machine Learning for Predictive...
Save
Provides a practical guide to using data science in a business setting. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how data science can be used to improve business outcomes.
Fundamentals of Machine Learning for Predictive...
Hardcover
$$$
Fundamentals of Machine Learning for Predictive...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Save
Discusses the challenges that large organizations face when they try to innovate. It provides a framework for understanding how to innovate successfully. It valuable read for anyone interested in innovation in healthcare.
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Paperback
$$
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Doing Data Science
Save
Provides a thought-provoking look at the ethical and social implications of data science. It valuable read for anyone who wants to learn more about the potential dangers of data science.
Doing Data Science: Straight Talk from the Frontline
Paperback
$$
(中文) 数据科学实战 (图灵程序设计丛书) (Chinese Edition)
Kindle Edition
$
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Provides a practical guide to using lean principles to build successful businesses. It valuable read for anyone interested in starting a business in healthcare.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, Or How to Build the...
Save
Provides a unique perspective on building successful businesses. It valuable read for anyone interested in starting a business in healthcare.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the...
Hardcover
$$
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
Save
Provides a realistic look at the challenges of building a successful business. It valuable read for anyone interested in starting a business in healthcare.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a...
Hardcover
$$
The Hard Thing About Hard Things [Hardcover] By Ben...
Paperback
$$
(Español) Emprender y liderar una startup: El duro camino has...
Kindle Edition
$
The Hard Thing About Hard Things [Hardcover],...
Paperback
$$
The hard thing about hard things: ondernemen zonder...
Paperback
$$$
Summary of 'The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben...
Audible Audiobook
$
Cover image
Good to Great
Save
Provides a framework for understanding how companies can achieve sustained success. It valuable read for anyone interested in building a successful business in healthcare.
Good to Great
Paperback
Check
Good to Great
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The E-Myth Pest Control Business
Save
Provides a practical guide to building a successful small business. It valuable read for anyone interested in starting a business in healthcare.
The E-Myth Pest Control Business: Why Most Pest...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
The 4-Hour Work Week
Save
Provides a controversial perspective on how to achieve financial freedom. It valuable read for anyone interested in starting a business in healthcare.
The 4-Hour Work Week
Paperback
Check
The 4-Hour Work Week
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Save
Provides a unique perspective on how to achieve financial freedom. It valuable read for anyone interested in starting a business in healthcare.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Paperback
Check
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
Approx. 8 hours
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado System
Instructor
Laura K. Wiley, PhD
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша
This course belongs to a collection called Clinical Data Science. It's comprised of six courses:
  1. Introduction to Clinical Data Science (viewing)
  2. Clinical Natural Language Processing
  3. Clinical Data Models and Data Quality Assessments
  4. Predictive Modeling and Transforming Clinical Practice
  5. Identifying Patient Populations
  6. Advanced Clinical Data Science
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Prepares learners to complete other courses in the Clinical Data Science Specialization
Assists learners who have little to no programming experience
Introduces SQL and R programming skills, which are essential for data science
Provides access to an actual clinical data set and a free, online computational environment for data science
Taught by an experienced instructor with a PhD in Clinical Psychology
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