A5 - Managing Info + Data within Health and Science Sector

• What are common methods used to collect data?

  Focus groups

  Open/closed question surveys

  Interviews

  Observation

  Public databases

  Journals

  Articles

  Practical investigations

  Official statistics
• What are some considerations to make when selecting a range of ways to collect and record information and data?


  Data type: quantitative data or qualitative data

  Method of data collection: manual or automatic

  Way to present the data

  Depth of analysis required

  Intended audience

  Storage method
• Why is it important to maintain accuracy, attention to detail and legibility of any written information or data?

  Comply with legal requirements

  Limit liability

  Provides an accurate account of events

  Informs integrated working and data sharing

  Ensures accurate analysis of findings

  Supports with audit trails

  Ensures reproducibility of results
• What are the strengths and limitations of the results of investigations?

  Strengths: If properly designed, they give consistent and reliable results

  Limitations: Results of an investigation done under highly controlled situations (such as test-tube investigations) may be difficult to be applied to the 'real world'
• What are the strengths and limitations of patient history?

  Strengths: Provides detailed information about a patient over a long period Limitations: Relies on patient's memory and honesty, may be incomplete or inaccurate
• What are the strengths and limitations of patient test results?

  Strengths: Usually mean results of laboratory analysis, should offer a high level of accuracy

  Testing laboratories + tests must usually go through accreditation process

  Limitations: Patient test results often need careful interpretation, introducing an element of subjectivity
• What are the strengths and limitations of published literature?

  Strengths: Large volume of information available

  Goes through a process of peer review improving validity

  Limitations: Professional rivalry means reviewers are not always unbiased

  Process of peer reviewing can be slow and hard to manage due to size

  There is a trend of preprints, which are papers that are published quickly before review

  Not all published literature is of high quality
• What are the strengths and limitations of real-time observation?

  Strengths: Obtain lots of information in a short time

  Limitations: Observations may become subjective, which means they cannot be measured. We must take care not to misinterpret/overinterpret such observations
• How is AI/machine learning applied in the recording and reporting of information and data?

  Used to develop algorithms that can help to interpret medical images

  Uses bioinformatics tools to analyse and process large data sets
• How is mobile technology and applications applied in the recording and reporting of information and data?

  Health informatics - the use of computer science and AI/machine learning to assist in management of healthcare information

  GPS receivers used for physical tracking of individuals, e.g. NHS COVID-19 app with 'track and trace'
• How are cloud-based systems applied in the recording and reporting of information and data?

  Electronic health records (EHRs) - patient data is available to anyone who needs it across the whole healthcare system

  Easier data sharing for further analysis
• How are digital information management systems applied in the recording and reporting of information and data?

  Enables a digitial audit trail
• How are data-visualisation tools applied in the recording and reporting of information and data?

  Presents multiple data sources and presents them in a way that makes it easier to understand and interpret them
• What does the Data Protection Act 2018 do?

  Controls the use of personal information by organisations, businesses and the government
• What does the UK GDPR do?

  Means the UK General Data Protection Regulation

  Provides a set of principles with which any individual or organisation processing sensitive data must comply
• What are the local ways of working/organisational policies to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations, depending on the sector?

  Ensuring data is stored securely (electronically or paper-based)

  Restricting the use of mobile devices in order to ensure confidentiality

  Preventing potential conflicts of interest
• How would you ensure confidentiality when using screens to input or retrieve information or data?

  Log out of the system when leaving the screen

  Protect login and password information

  Be aware of the surroundings

  Use secure internet connections

  Use privacy screen filters where appropriate
• What are the positive uses of social media in health and science sectors?

  Awareness campaigns/disseminating information

  Correcting misinformation

  Crisis communication/monitoring

  Monitoring public health

  Data gathering

  Establishing support networks

  Recruitment

  Marketing
• What are the restrictions on the use of social media in health and science sectors?

  Do not post sensitive/personal information about yourself or others on social media, in line with an organisation's code of conduct

  Maintain professional boundaries when interacting with individuals external to the organisation

  Do not share inaccurate/non-evidence-based information
• What are the advantages of using IT systems to record, retrieve and store information and data?

  Ease of access

  Ease of sharing and transferring data

  Speed of data analysis

  Security (e.g. password protection)

  Standardisation of data

  Enables continuous and/or real-time monitoring of data

  Cost and space saving

  Enables integrated working and supports safeguarding practices
• What are the risks of using IT systems to record, retrieve and store information and data?

  Security breaches - accidental or malicious

  Potential for the corruption of data

  Lack of access due to system failure
• How do security measures protect data stored by organisations?

  Controls access to information (e.g. levels of authorised logins and passwords)

  Allows only authorised staff into specific work areas

  Requires regular and up-to-date staff training in complying with data security

  Makes regular back-ups of files

  Uses up-to-date cyber security strategies to protect against unintended or unauthorised access

  Ensures that back-up data is stored externally (e.g. cloud-based or separate servers)
• What should you do if information is not stored securely?

  Secure the information where possible

  Record and report the incident to the designated person, following organisational policies and procedures