Data Lakes and Data Visualization: An Innovative Approach to Addressing the Many Challenges of Health Workforce Planning

Authors

  • Denise D. Krause University of Mississippi Medical Center

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v7i3.6047

Abstract

Background: There are a variety of challenges to health workforce planning, but access to data is critical for effective evidence-based decision-making. Many agencies and organizations throughout Mississippi have been collecting quality health data for many years. Those data have historically resided in data silos and have not been readily shared. A strategy was developed to build and coordinate infrastructure, capacity, tools, and resources to facilitate health workforce and population health planning throughout the state.

Objective: Realizing data as the foundation upon which to build, the primary objective was to develop the capacity to collect, store, maintain, visualize, and analyze data from a variety of disparate sources -- with the ultimate goal of improving access to health care.

Specific aims were to:

1)  build a centralized data repository and scalable informatics platform,

2)  develop a data management solution for this platform and then,

3)  derive value from this platform by facilitating data visualization and analysis.

Methods: We designed and constructed a managed data lake for health data from disparate sources throughout the state of Mississippi. A data management application was developed to log and track all data sources, maps and geographies, and data marts.  With this informatics platform as a foundation, we use a variety of tools to visualize and analyze data.

Results: Samples of data visualizations that aim to inform health planners and policymakers are presented. Many agencies and organizations throughout the state benefit from this platform.

Conclusion: The overarching goal is that by providing timely, reliable information to stakeholders, Mississippians in general will experience improved access to quality care. 

Author Biography

Denise D. Krause, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Denise D. Krause is an associate professor of preventive medicine and associate director of research and technology for the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce.

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Published

2015-12-28

How to Cite

Krause, D. D. (2015). Data Lakes and Data Visualization: An Innovative Approach to Addressing the Many Challenges of Health Workforce Planning. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v7i3.6047

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Section

Original Articles