We hear a lot lately about big data. Some of what we hear can be disconcerting, at least when it comes to privacy issues — but reports of what people and computers are capable of doing are almost always fascinating. I am talking specifically about the magnitude of what certain medical researchers are doing with the use of massive databases. For example, an arrangement between UnitedHealth and Mayo Clinic caught my eye. These two entities have formed a partnership to combine data on more than 110 million patients. That is about third of the population of the United States.

Their purpose is to research methods to improve health care, along with lowering costs. That is a tall order — consistent with the much-sought triple aim of lower costs, improved outcomes and better patient satisfaction. It will be interesting to see what comes from their efforts and other such projects. Of course, we know that nearly every major scientific revolution has been driven by access to new sources of data and information. From ancient times, going back to early Greek literature, medical research has depended on the observation and interpretation of data.

It is that gathering and interpreting of data that is so central to health care progress. If the use of big data can foster collaboration, spur medical research and accelerate the pace of scientific progress — I think it is great. And I really believe that it can. We have had considerable discussion here at TTUHSC about establishing a data warehouse and how to professionally and correctly conduct research from such data. We have a wealth of clinical information that could be used to benefit society and advance the borders of medicine. It is exciting — the prospect of using properly protected and de-identified data to aid in discovering new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating disease.