Do lockdowns work? Are masks effective? Did schools make the right decisions? {MedPage]

During the COVID-19 crisis, these questions were urgent and pervasive. Yet, clear answers were often elusive, hindered by data gaps and inefficient information exchange. 

Do lockdowns work? Are masks effective? Did schools make the right decisions?

During the COVID-19 crisis, these questions were urgent and pervasive. Yet, clear answers were often elusive, hindered by data gaps and inefficient information exchange. As we move toward a post-COVID future, we must ask ourselves: Is our healthcare data infrastructure prepared for the next health crisis? Our researchopens in a new tab or window indicates that it is alarmingly unprepared.

Two major issues became apparent early in the pandemic. First, the lack of data interoperability and effective analysis impeded the delivery of real-time insights to those making critical decisions. Second, the slow exchange of patient data severely limited treatment efforts. In a situation where a rapid response was essential, accessing comprehensive electronic records from different providers was crucial.

This significant data gap was recognized at the highest levels of government. In 2021, President Biden prioritizedopens in a new tab or window enhanced public health reporting and data sharing. The National Academy of Medicine also highlighted this issueopens in a new tab or window, calling attention to the healthcare sector's disjointed data management. These statements underscored the urgent need for a more streamlined and efficient approach to healthcare data. 

More> 

###