Transforming Healthcare Analytics

CHAPTER 1Introduction

“Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.”

— W. Edwards Deming

PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK

While there have been many improvements and changes in healthcare, Mike and I strongly believe there is still a lot to do and we want to share with you our journey to make healthcare better one patient at a time. Our motivation for this book is to share with our valued readers real-world, personal experiences and to show how technology coupled with people and process is paving the way toward the adoption of the digital transformation in healthcare. Digital transformation also makes a strong case for how healthcare organizations can do so much better because of the innovative analytical practices that we have readily available today but they are not implemented or being considered in many instances.

Whether you realize it or not, healthcare affects everyone – young and old. When you, Mike, or I were kids, healthcare was not a topic of concern. Most of us had parents or guardians to oversee our healthcare. Personally, as I have gotten older and more mature mentally and physically, healthcare has become a necessity with more regular visits to the doctor or hospital. When we become guardians and parents ourselves, we have others to think about, whether it is looking after our own kids, taking care of an elderly family member or our own parents, or even fostering children. As a new parent, healthcare is definitely a priority for my wife and kids, not only ...