COVID-19 spotlighted four key factors that limit diagnostic precision: low-quality data, non-comprehensive data “snapshots”, non-actionable information, and a siloed approach all limit the ability to make precise, data-driven diagnoses.
But these factors are not unique to COVID-19; they affect medicine across the board, delaying time to treatment and compromising the quality of care that patients receive. In this article, the authors take a closer look at these limiting factors and describe four ways to overcome them:
- Improve data quality
- Increase access to longitudinal patient data
- Deliver actionable insights (not just raw data)
- Build an enterprise-wide culture around precision diagnosis
By taking these steps, healthcare providers can improve diagnostic precision and deliver personalized care, thus expanding precision medicineto benefit more patients.
“We are at a time of great opportunity to improve diagnostic precision.”
Diagnostic tools and procedures can identify important subcategories and guide development of tailored treatment plans that can improve medical outcomes for the patient. With more therapies available now than ever, clinicians have an unprecedented opportunity to achieve better outcomes through personalized treatment plans. In order to realize that vision, the key challenges to precision diagnosis aforementioned must be addressed.
