THIN Blog

Why real-world data matters to patients

Healthcare systems globally are increasingly recognising the value of healthcare data. From developing improved care pathways to driving cost savings through data analytics, arguably the true value of healthcare data lies in patient outcomes.

Good data can power better, safer and more effective models of care for patients. As technology unlocks new data sets and more sophisticated tools of analysis, our ability to harness information will be key to driving better health outcomes and more sustainable models of care.

COVID-19 has hit every part of health and care provision. From patients avoiding contacting GPs leading to missed or delayed diagnosis to delays in cancer treatments and knee replacements, millions of patients have been affected. As the vaccination programme continues to roll out and a degree of normality returns, these patients will require care – many urgently.

But how are Clinicians to prioritise? It is not possible to open the doors to all patients at once – in primary or secondary care.  Whether it is patients demanding face to face GP visits or the backlog of outpatient visits that need to be re-organised, how can health and care providers allocate resources in the most effective way to support priority patient needs?

This World Health Day on 7th April, the World Health Organization (WHO) is embarking on a new campaign to build a fairer, healthier world to provide consistent access to health services. A key strand of the campaign surrounds data collection, with WHO confirming the importance of timely and reliable health data in assessing inequities across population subgroups and taking the required actions.

Three million people in the UK have chronic kidney disease (CKD) – and too often it is fatal. In 2019, five people died every week waiting for a kidney transplant. Sadly, the global pandemic has made the situation worse. Not only are people with CKD vulnerable and face a higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying but the virus also affects kidney health: up to a quarter of people who have COVID-19 and receive ventilation in intensive care end up with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) and need dialysis.

Furthermore, the triggers for CKD, including weight gain, lack of exercise, diabetes and hypertension, have increased during the pandemic – and the impact is clear. According to analysis of The Health Improvement Network (THIN®), a Cegedim database, while diagnosis of CKD dropped during lockdown, by the end of December 2020 CKD diagnoses actually surpassed baseline measures – something not seen in other disease areas, which are still below baseline.

Which is why the focus for this year’s World Kidney Day - The Big Topic everyone is ignoring – is spot on.

Anyone involved in the analysis of health data knows the importance of telling the story – finding insights that can be easily consumed and, hopefully, support real change.

As part of its drive to promote innovative and effective use of Business Intelligence within the healthcare industry, the BHBIA’s Best of Business Intelligence (BOBI) Awards recognise excellence across the healthcare business intelligence spectrum. The Analyst of the Year award, sponsored by Cegedim Health Data, was won by Genevieve Hall, Director at Insight DoJo, for her analysis of the prescription of opioid analgesics across CCGs in England.

A year is a very long time in the life of a child. While adults are railing against the constraints of the pandemic, for children the isolation and lack of familiar structure of the past 12 months represents as much as a fifth of their lives. It has become a very unwelcome norm.

Cancer services have come under unprecedented pressure during the COVID-19 crisis – with recent analysis by the MacMillan Cancer Trust suggesting tens of thousands of people across the UK are missing a cancer diagnosis they would otherwise have received, because of the impact of the pandemic. The same problems are affecting cancer services globally: a survey conducted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) with over 100 of its member organisations in 55 countries, including civil society, hospitals, research centres and patient support groups, revealed that their income and organisational activities are under significant pressure, with almost three-quarters reporting reductions in income of anywhere from 25% to 100% in 2020 and similar projections for 2021.

Cancer is a global challenge. In 2018, 18 million people world-wide were diagnosed with cancer. Today, thanks to research, one in two people in the UK survive their cancer for 10 years or more. The prospects of major advances in tackling cancer have never been greater, and international collaboration and funding are essential in realising these opportunities. This year’s World Cancer Day, on 4th February, is using the theme ‘I am and I will’ to reinforce the importance and power of cooperation and collective action.

Liver disease is on not just on the rise – it is the now biggest cause of death in those aged between 35 and 49, according to the British Liver Trust. Since 1970, deaths due to liver disease have increased by 400% - and over 40 people die from liver disease in the UK every day.

Two Pronged Prevention Strategy: Vaccination and Testing

The introduction of the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination in 2008 for adolescent girls in secondary school was a vital step in the prevention of Cervical Cancer. HPV, a common virus that 8 in 10 people will get, is associated with 99% of cervical cancer diagnoses. More than ten million doses of HPV vaccine have been given - over 80% of women aged 15-24 have received the vaccine, protecting this generation from developing cervical cancer in the future.

However, there are millions of women who passed puberty before the vaccine was available, which is why Cervical Screening – previously known as the Smear Test – is so important. During the pandemic, however, the number of smear tests undertaken has dropped – due to a combination of lack of NHS resources and patient fear.

Using the #SmearForSmear campaign tag, Cervical Cancer Prevention Week – 18th to 24th January – is working to make sure as many people as possible know how they can reduce their risk of the disease and to educate others.

Understanding Cervical Cancer

The danger of obesity has come in to sharp relief during the past year, with obesity cited as a key COVID-19 comorbidity. A report from Public Health England concluded that a BMI of 35 to 40 (obese) may increase the risk of death from COVID-19 by 40%, while a BMI of over 40 (morbidly obese) could increase the risk by 90%.

On December 3rd this year, during the annual celebration of people with disabilities, the 2020 theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ also focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.