DOI: 10.36347/sjebm.2020.v07i12.001

Pages: 414-430

COVID-19 pandemic is an indicator for healthcare industry of opportunities and challenges present with data and information. Big data is massive amount of information generated and gathered by modern technology characterized by 4V’s (Volume, Velocity, Variety and Veracity). In healthcare, electronic health records (EHRs) generate massive amounts of data regarding a patient. Apart from EHR, -omics data and IOT are other sources for information regarding an individual’s health. When these all sources are put together it generates big data. Countries worldwide are adapting to EHR and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems due to its immense ability in research, clinical trials, drug discovery and repurposing, public health and personalized or targeted treatment for a cost-effective and evidence-based patient care. With big data and AI or ML technologies, the process and management is greatly simplified evident in COVID-19 situation. Though big data has many advantages and opportunities associated with it, challenges in terms of data structure, storage, standardization, its governance and security or privacy are yet to be addressed.