Data Analytics and Visualization in Health Care from edX

Big data is transforming the health care industry relative to improving quality of care and reducing costs--key objectives for most organizations. Employers are desperately searching for professionals who have the ability to extract, analyze, and interpret data from patient health records, insurance claims, financial records, and more to tell a compelling and actionable story using health care data analytics.

The course begins with a study of key components of the U.S. health care system as they relate to data and analytics. While we will be looking through a U.S. lens, the topics will be familiar to global learners, who will be invited to compare/contrast with their country's system.

With that essential industry context, we'll explore the role of health informatics and health information technology in evidence-based medicine, population health, clinical process improvement, and consumer health.

Using that as a foundation, we'll outline the components of a successful data analytics program in health care, establishing a "virtuous cycle" of data quality and standardization required for clinical improvement and innovation.

The course culminates in a study of how visualizations harness data to tell a powerful, actionable story. We'll build an awareness of visualization tools and their features, as well as gain familiarity with various analytic tools.

What you'll learn

Identify current forces disrupting today's health care industry
Summarize current health care trends and their impact on cost, quality, and patient engagement
Describe health informatics' role in clinical workflow and patient engagement
Identify components of health information technology
Explain the importance interoperability in health care analytics
Summarize data collection, processing, and analysis best practices
Explore the implications of artificial intelligence on extraction and analysis of complex data sets
Interpret data analysis results from a visualization example
Identify visualization best practices
Prepare a simple data visualization using health care data

What's inside

Learning objectives

Identify current forces disrupting today's health care industry
Summarize current health care trends and their impact on cost, quality, and patient engagement
Describe health informatics' role in clinical workflow and patient engagement
Identify components of health information technology
Explain the importance interoperability in health care analytics

Summarize data collection, processing, and analysis best practices
Explore the implications of artificial intelligence on extraction and analysis of complex data sets
Interpret data analysis results from a visualization example
Identify visualization best practices
Prepare a simple data visualization using health care data

Identify current forces disrupting today's health care industry
Summarize current health care trends and their impact on cost, quality, and patient engagement
Describe health informatics' role in clinical workflow and patient engagement
Identify components of health information technology
Explain the importance interoperability in health care analytics
Summarize data collection, processing, and analysis best practices
Explore the implications of artificial intelligence on extraction and analysis of complex data sets
Interpret data analysis results from a visualization example
Identify visualization best practices
Prepare a simple data visualization using health care data

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Health Care

Components of Health Care Stakeholders Care Settings Financing Public Health Regulatory/Research

Challenges and Opportunities The Triple Aim Quality and Cos Patient Experience/Access

Systems Approach Evidence-Based Medicine Quality Improvement Value-Based Reimbursement

Health Care Trends Demographics/Population Health Consumerism/Personalized Medicine Emerging Trends in Health Care

Module 2: Introduction to Health Informatics

Overview of Health IT What is Health Informatics? How Health Informatics Supports Triple Aim

Health IT Systems and Components EMR/EHR Modules and Ancillary Data Systems Enterprise Systems vs. Best of Breed Structured Versus Unstructured Data

EHR Adoption EHR Regulations Barriers to EHR Adoption

Interoperability and HIT Standards Health IT Standards Data Exchange Clinical Decision Support HIPAA Security

Public Health IT and Consumer Engagement

Module 3: Introduction to Data Analytics

Data Terms and Concepts Why Data Analytics? Virtuous Cycle in Analytics Data Terminology Big Data Terminology

Getting Data Ready for Analysis Considerations Before Analyzing Integrating Data Across Data Sets

Data Governance, Privacy, and Security Data Governance Within the Organization Patient Identification Regulatory Considerations and Data Security

Analysis with Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning in Health Care Natural Language Processing in Health Care

Making Data Usable to Others Finalizing Data for Analysis Communicating Data

Module 4: Introduction to Visualizations

Value of Visualization

Visualization Best Practices What Not to Do Types Based on Use Case Visualizations of Complex Data Dashboard Design

Analyzing Visuals Exploratory vs. Explanatory Visualization Quantitative vs. Qualitative Visualization Uses in Health Care

Tools for Analysis and Visualization Gartner Software Benchmarking Current Tools

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Travis Masonis, who is recognized for their work in the field of health care data analytics

Explores health informatics and its role in clinical workflow and patient engagement

Examines data collection, processing, and analysis best practices

Develops skills in visualizing health care data to tell a compelling story

Provides a foundation in health care data analytics for professionals in the field

May require prior knowledge of health care or data analysis concepts

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 Data Analytics and Visualization in Health Care with these activities:

Review key concepts in health care

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Review key terminology, concepts, and principles of the U.S. health care system to establish a baseline understanding.

Browse courses on Health Care

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Read through the course syllabus
Browse course materials and make note of unfamiliar terms
Research and summarize essential health care concepts, such as quality of care, cost-effectiveness, and patient engagement

Volunteer at a health care organization

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Gain practical experience in a health care setting, observing real-world applications of health care data and analytics.

Browse courses on Patient Care

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Identify volunteer opportunities at local hospitals, clinics, or health care organizations
Assist with administrative tasks or interact with patients, gaining insights into the day-to-day operations and challenges
Observe how health care data is collected, processed, and used to make decisions

Join a study group with classmates

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Engage in collaborative learning by joining a study group, discussing course concepts, solving problems, and supporting each other's understanding.

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Form or join a study group with classmates
Meet regularly to discuss course materials, share insights, and clarify concepts
Work together on assignments and projects, providing feedback and support

Five other activities

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Analyze health care data using statistical software

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Gain proficiency in using statistical software to analyze health care data, identifying trends, patterns, and correlations.

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Familiarize yourself with statistical software such as R or Python
Practice loading, cleaning, and transforming data sets
Perform statistical analyses, such as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression modeling

Explore interactive health care data visualizations

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Engage with interactive data visualizations to develop a practical understanding of how health care data can be analyzed and presented.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Identify reputable sources for health care data visualizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Explore interactive visualizations, paying attention to the types of data used, the variables represented, and the insights provided
Attempt to replicate simple visualizations using available data and tools

Develop a data analysis plan for a health care project

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Apply knowledge of health care data analytics to develop a comprehensive plan for analyzing data in a specific project, ensuring a structured and effective approach.

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Define the project objectives and identify the relevant data sources
Determine the appropriate data analysis methods and techniques
Outline the steps involved in data collection, processing, and analysis
Establish quality control measures and data validation procedures

Create a visual representation of health care data

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Apply knowledge of data visualization techniques to create a visual representation of health care data, communicating key insights effectively.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Choose a specific health care data set to work with
Select appropriate visualization techniques based on the data and desired insights
Use data visualization software to create a clear and compelling visual representation
Write a brief narrative or legend to explain the visualization and its key findings

Organize and review course materials regularly

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Maintain an organized approach to learning by regularly reviewing course notes, assignments, and quizzes to reinforce understanding and improve retention.

Browse courses on Note-Taking

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Use a note-taking system that works for you, such as Cornell notes or flashcards
Review notes and assignments regularly, actively recalling information rather than passively reading
Summarize key concepts and ideas in your own words

Career center

Learners who complete Data Analytics and Visualization in Health Care will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, interprets, and presents data to assist an organization in making informed decisions. This course can be a stepping stone to becoming a Data Analyst by introducing essential components of data analytics. By learning about health informatics, you will be able to better understand healthcare data. Additionally, this course provides a foundation in visualization and dashboards, which are necessary skills for a Data Analyst who must communicate data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Healthcare Data Scientist

A Healthcare Data Scientist uses data to solve problems and improve healthcare outcomes. This course will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of data analytics and visualization. By learning how to analyze and visualize healthcare data, you will be able to develop innovative solutions to improve patient care. Given the course's focus on healthcare data, this course can be useful for anyone interested in this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Data Scientist

Healthcare Data Analyst

A Healthcare Data Analyst gathers and analyzes data to help healthcare organizations improve quality, efficiency, and patient satisfaction. This course provides the necessary foundation for working with healthcare data. You will gain an understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and the role of data and analytics in improving care. This knowledge can help you succeed as a Healthcare Data Analyst by enabling you to analyze healthcare data and identify opportunities for improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Data Analyst

Health IT Specialist

A Health IT Specialist provides technical support for healthcare information technology systems. This course provides a solid knowledge base in health informatics and health information technology. If you are interested in a career as a Health IT Specialist, this course will help you build a foundation by improving your understanding of healthcare data and how it can be used to improve patient care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health IT Specialist

Clinical Decision Support Specialist

A Clinical Decision Support Specialist supports healthcare providers in making clinical decisions by providing them with relevant clinical data. This course will help you build a strong foundation in healthcare and health informatics. By gaining an understanding of the components of health information technology, you will be better prepared to help healthcare providers use data to improve patient care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Decision Support Specialist

Health IT Manager

A Health IT Manager plans, implements, and maintains healthcare information technology systems. This course serves as a comprehensive introduction to health informatics, introducing the role of health informatics in clinical workflow and patient engagement, and health IT systems and components. While a more advanced degree in health administration or healthcare management is required for many Health IT Manager positions, this course may be useful in providing a background and demonstrating interest in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health IT Manager

Healthcare Informatics Consultant

A Healthcare Informatics Consultant helps healthcare organizations implement and manage health information technology systems. This course provides an introduction to health informatics and the role of health information technology in healthcare. By gaining an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in healthcare, you will be well-prepared to help healthcare organizations implement and manage health information technology systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Informatics Consultant

Healthcare Statistician

A Healthcare Statistician uses statistical methods to analyze and interpret healthcare data. This course will teach you the essential principles of health informatics and data visualization. By developing a solid foundation in healthcare statistics, you will be better prepared to analyze and interpret data to improve patient care.

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Healthcare Information Security Analyst

A Healthcare Information Security Analyst protects the privacy and security of healthcare data. This course will help you gain knowledge of the security and privacy regulations that apply to healthcare data. You will also gain an understanding of data governance, which is essential for maintaining the integrity and security of healthcare data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Information Security Analyst

Population Health Analyst

A Population Health Analyst analyzes data to identify and address health issues within a defined population. This course provides a broad overview of healthcare in the U.S. and the role of data and analytics in improving care. While this course emphasizes healthcare data, it does not go into depth on population health analysis. However, this course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Population Health Analyst by providing a foundation in health informatics and data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Population Health Analyst

Public Health Analyst

A Public Health Analyst researches and analyzes public health data to identify and address health issues. This course provides an overview of healthcare in the U.S. and the role of data and analytics in improving care. While this course emphasizes healthcare data, it does not go into depth on public health issues. However, this course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Public Health Analyst by providing a foundation in health informatics and data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Analyst

Healthcare Administrator

A Healthcare Administrator plans, organizes, and directs the operations of healthcare facilities. This course may be useful for individuals preparing for a career as a Healthcare Administrator, as it focuses on the challenges and opportunities in healthcare. You will learn about the impact of healthcare trends on cost, quality, and patient engagement. However, this course does not focus on healthcare administration, so it may be advisable to seek out further training in healthcare management.

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Health Policy Analyst

A Health Policy Analyst researches and analyzes health policy issues. The course provides an introduction to the challenges and opportunities in healthcare and discusses healthcare trends and their impact on cost, quality, and patient engagement. While the course covers healthcare data, it does not go into depth on the analysis of health policy issues. However, this course may be useful for individuals preparing for a career as a Health Policy Analyst by providing foundational knowledge in healthcare and health informatics.

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Healthcare Educator

A Healthcare Educator develops and delivers educational programs to patients and healthcare professionals. This course may be helpful to a Healthcare Educator interested in learning more about health informatics. By understanding the importance of health information technology in healthcare, you will be better able to educate patients and professionals on the use of these technologies.

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Medical Writer

A Medical Writer creates and edits written materials about medical and health-related topics. This course may be useful to a Medical Writer who wants to learn more about data, visualization, and the U.S. healthcare system. You will develop the skills to communicate complex medical information to a variety of audiences. The course may be especially useful for Medical Writers who want to focus on writing about health information technology.

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