How Data Analytics Plays a Role in Healthcare

The Impact of Data Analytics in Healthcare 

When it comes to healthcare, data analytics isn't just a buzzword—it's revolutionizing the industry. From improving patient outcomes to streamlining operations, data analytics is shaping the future of healthcare in unprecedented ways.  
This blog explores the different types of healthcare data analytics and their real-world applications, including patient care and operational efficiency.  

Patient Care 

Data analytics is a game-changer in patient care. An understanding of data analytics allows healthcare professionals to improve the quality and effectiveness of patient care. Through advanced analytics, healthcare analysts can interpret vast quantities of data to identify risks, anticipate patient needs, and create treatment plans.  

Operational Efficiency 

The role of data analytics extends beyond patient care, playing a pivotal role in streamlining healthcare operations. By applying analytics to processes and operations, healthcare organizations can allocate resources more efficiently, reduce costs, and enhance overall patient services. In all areas of healthcare, knowledge of data analytics empowers administrators to make informed decisions that drive efficiency and improve patient care.

Types of Healthcare Data Analytics 

There are several types of data analytics that can be practically applied in the healthcare field. Each category uniquely contributes to improved decision-making, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency. The three most common types of analytics used in healthcare are descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive. 

 Descriptive Analytics 

Descriptive analytics serves as the foundational form of analytics in healthcare, summarizing historical data to reveal insights into past occurrences. Its application is essential in healthcare, enabling the discovery of patterns, trends, and benchmarks within patient data. By utilizing descriptive analytics, healthcare organizations can extract knowledge and gain an understanding of past performance, which can then be used to facilitate informed decision-making in the future.  

Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics utilizes statistical algorithms and machine learning to analyze historical data and predict future outcomes. This is particularly beneficial in healthcare settings, where predictive analytics can forecast outbreaks and identify high-risk patients. This innovative approach to data analysis enhances personalized care plans and optimizes resource allocation. Because it anticipates, manages, and improves patient outcomes, predictive analytics is a transformative tool in healthcare.  

Prescriptive Analytics 

Prescriptive analytics combines information gleaned from descriptive and predictive measures to recommend actions for improving performance and patient care. By providing actionable insights, this analytics approach guides healthcare professionals to make informed decisions and optimize treatment strategies, contributing to improved overall outcomes.

The Multifaceted Role of Healthcare Data Analysts 

Healthcare data analysts play a pivotal role in acquiring, managing, extracting, and interpreting vast amounts of healthcare data. Their diverse responsibilities include data acquisition, organization, management, and analysis to provide crucial insights for informed healthcare decision-making. With the increasing reliance on data-driven strategies in healthcare, the demand for skilled data analysts continues to grow. In fact, employment of data scientists is projected to grow as a whole by 35%  from 2022 to 2032. 

Key Responsibilities 

With such vast data sets of medical information, there is a significant amount of data that needs to be interpreted. This is where the expertise of healthcare data analysts comes into play. Key responsibilities and typical tasks that healthcare data analysts are expected to perform include: 
Data acquisition:

• Collect comprehensive healthcare data for analysis.
• Analysis: Identify trends and patterns within healthcare data sets.
• Predictive modeling: Utilize statistical methods to forecast future healthcare scenarios.
• Report automation: Implement automated processes for efficient and accurate generation of reports.

Analysts rely on a variety of systems to collect, store, share and analyze health data, including electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), electronic prescription services, patient portals, and master patient indexes (MPI). They will then use their analytical expertise to identify trends and patterns within these data sets. 

 Essential Skills for Aspiring Healthcare Data Analysts  

In the continuously evolving field of healthcare data analysis, professionals must possess a combination of technical expertise and essential soft skills. Proficiency in data analysis tools, statistical software, and SQL is crucial, while effective communication, critical thinking, and attention to detail are also indispensable for success. These skills can be developed through a combination of education, internships, and on-the-job learning.  

 Technical Skills 

Healthcare data analysts play a crucial role in their organizations by leveraging their technical skills, including proficiency in: 

• Structured Query Language (SQL)
• Excel
• Statistical programming
• Data visualization

These skills enable analysts to extract valuable insights from healthcare data, facilitating informed decision-making and improved patient outcomes.

 Soft Skills 

Data analysts in the healthcare field should also have soft skills such as: 

• Analytical, critical, and creative thinking
• Attention to detail
• Strong communication skills
• Leadership skills

Knowledge of regulations related to handling healthcare data is also essential in the role of analyst, as is having an understanding of medical coding for performing data audits. 

Employment Opportunities 

Healthcare data analysts play a crucial role in various industries and organizations that rely on health data. Potential employment settings for healthcare data analysts include: 

• Hospitals 
• Large medical practices
• Healthcare clinics
• Government  
• Diagnostic centers
• Insurance companies
• Healthcare consulting firms
• Health IT vendors

According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for a healthcare data analyst in the U.S. is $72,668 as of October 2023. Salary for data analysts in the healthcare industry will vary based on education, certifications, role responsibilities, experience, industry, and organization. 

 
Educational Pathways for Healthcare Data Analysts 

Healthcare data analysts typically hold  a bachelor's degree in fields such as data analytics or health information management. This foundational education teaches essential competencies, including healthcare information systems, data management, and data and information governance. Advancement to mid-level positions requires several years of relevant work experience. Pursuing an online master's degree in data analytics supplements experience and deepens analytical expertise and critical thinking, which can help healthcare analyst professionals qualify for higher, more competitive positions. 

WGU’s online bachelor’s degree programs in health information management or data analytics and data management provide the foundational knowledge needed to begin a career in healthcare data analysis. Professionals who already hold a bachelor’s degree may enroll in the M.S. in Data Analytics program, which equips students with the advanced analytical skills crucial for senior-level positions. They may also consider an MBA in Healthcare Management, which can prepare experienced analysts for managerial roles. Our accredited online programs ensure flexibility, making these degrees accessible for busy professionals aiming to advance their careers in healthcare data analytics and administration.