(US and Canada) Patrick Chen, Senior Director of Business Intelligence, Growth & Accountable Care Enterprise, Scripps Health, speaks with Savio Rodrigues, VP Client Partnership, Trianz – USA and Editorial Board Member, CDO Magazine, about analyzing a variety of data sets to better understand customers and the need to focus on data literacy’s importance.

Chen specializes in developing innovative partnerships and leveraging advanced analytics for market intelligence, health care, economics, and mergers and acquisitions. He is involved in executing data-driven population health programs and technology-enabled solutions in the health care industry.

He says his responsibilities include leveraging data to make a systematic change and garner a holistic view of what is happening within the organization and health care communities.

The organization mainly focuses on being there at the right time for the right type of care for the right patient, and data plays a huge role. 

Regarding the evolution of data and analytics strategies and roadmaps, Chen says much of the focus has been on aggregating data sets because of the emphasis on treating the whole patient.

Chen explains that Scripps Health requires many data sets not found in medical claims. The company has invested in establishing sophisticated digital environments to collect more vital information, such as clinical and financial data, social determinants, geospatial data, etc.

The company wants to explore many data sets, requiring resources and a relatively sophisticated infrastructure.

To address this, Scripps partners with external entities and internal IT teams to establish a high-speed environment to drive key analytics. Chen says that much of the effort centers around better understanding patients and doing what’s best for them.

Chen maintains data literacy in analytics strategies could use more attention. Scripps Health leaders, however, actively support data and assist in developing more sophisticated strategies and making digital investments.