Joel Selanikio: The surprising seeds of a big-data revolution in healthcare

TL;DR

This content discusses the challenges of collecting and organizing data in global health and introduces a cloud-based software called Magpi that allows for efficient data collection and analysis.

Transcript

There's an old joke about a cop who's walking his beat in the middle of the night, and he comes across a guy under a street lamp who's looking at the ground and moving from side to side, and the cop asks him what he's doing. The guys says he's looking for his keys. So the cop takes his time and looks over and kind of makes a little matrix and looks... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔑 The concept of big data is discussed as a challenge for organizing information, but the lack of data in global health is highlighted as a bigger problem.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the concept of "big data"?

The concept of "big data" refers to the vast amount of information generated through our interaction with and over the internet, including social media, music downloads, movies, and live streaming.

Q: What is the biggest problem faced by those working with big data?

The biggest problem faced by those working with big data is the challenge of organizing and managing the enormous amount of information available.

Q: What is the biggest problem faced by those working in global health?

The biggest problem faced by those working in global health is the lack of data and information needed to solve the critical problems they aim to address.

Q: Why is there a lack of data in global health?

The lack of data in global health is due to the outdated information technology systems that are used, such as paper forms, which are time-consuming and inefficient in collecting and analyzing data.

Q: How did the speaker try to improve the data collection process?

The speaker developed a software called Magpi, which allowed users to create and collect data electronically using mobile phones. The software eliminated the need for consultants and allowed for instant analysis and mapping of the collected data.

Q: What were the benefits of using the Magpi software?

By using the Magpi software, data collection and analysis became more efficient and less time-consuming. It provided near-real-time information, improved data quality, and reduced costs for organizations working in various fields such as disaster response, healthcare, and education.

Q: How has the availability of the Magpi software impacted scaling efforts in global health?

The availability of the Magpi software has made scaling efforts in global health more feasible. Instead of relying on a limited number of consultants, the software allows for self-service data collection and analysis, making it accessible to a larger number of organizations and programs.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses the concept of "big data" and how it is being used to solve problems. However, in the field of global health, the data that is needed is not present on the Internet.

• The current information technology systems used in global health rely on outdated technology such as paper forms, which can take months or years to collect and analyze data.

• The speaker presents a solution in the form of software called Magpi, which allows for electronic data collection and analysis without the need for consultants or training. The software has been successfully used in various programs to improve efficiency and save lives.