Seeing Is Knowing: Human-centered Design in Data Visualization
As consumers, we want and expect the information we’re looking for to be presented in a way that’s easy to read and understand. In an industry as data-heavy as healthcare, that type of clarity is even more important to enable users to glean value from the information. Visualization tools are essential to making data relevant, consumable and action-oriented.
Analytics have become increasingly sophisticated, and as the massive amount of healthcare data continues to soar — currently comprising about 30% of the world’s data — accessing and making sense of it have become more challenging. All the data in the world is useless if you can’t understand what it’s telling you.
Gainwell Technologies has long recognized the power and value of analytics to truly get the most from data — from understanding what is currently happening in clients’ programs to forecasting what’s ahead and modeling better outcomes. We’re able to do this through data-powered solutions that transform knowledge into actionable insight that can track MCO performance, improve member and population health and lower costs.
The Human Element
A critical factor in making sense of healthcare data is a focus on human-centered design and ensuring dashboards and data-viewing mechanisms are designed with the end user in mind — whether that be a government employee, nurse care manager, provider or other healthcare stakeholder.
There are several tools such as portals designed for various user groups that present the information clearly, in one place. Setting up roles-based access within these portals gives you the ability to design personalized workflows that showcase only relevant information with the correct level of access to data for each user type. User testing is also of the utmost importance in making sure the workflows and data visualizations or dashboards you are designing make sense and are intuitive for users.
For example, analytics can help a state determine how well its managed care organizations (MCOs) are performing via configurable tools and filters that provide a closer look. Users can view data based on population characteristics, by provider, cost and utilization, time frames and social determinants of health. Clicking on a link takes users directly to the desired data without a lot of time-consuming and frustration-inducing digging.
With solid information presented clearly through dashboards and other data-visualization tools, aided by artificial intelligence and machine learning, users can gain valuable, actionable insights: how money is being spent, the clarity and accuracy of claims data, how MCOs are performing compared to fee-for-service programs, whether members have access to needed care and so much more. With that information, powered by analytics, states can easily identify areas for meaningful improvement as well as predict and help prevent sickness for high-risk members.
Let’s Be Clear
The ability to visualize, analyze and interpret data is invaluable to saving time, controlling costs and improving health outcomes. When it comes to healthcare data, making the complex simple yields better decision making and healthier outcomes.
Demystify Your Data