Researchers tracked and analyzed reports from public health authorities and credible media outlets posted via social media or their websites during the 2014 to 2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in South Korea.
“Our internet-based findings on exposure patterns are in good agreement with those derived from traditional epidemiological surveillance data, which can be available after considerable delays,” the researchers wrote.
Additionally, they noted that Ebola outbreak was an interesting case study as initially data was limited to weekly case counts at the country level. The internet-based reports proved useful in providing detailed descriptions of Ebola cases occurring within families in clusters or due to hospital exposure, especially in the hardest hit regions.
More articles on health IT:
Survey: 26% of health IT, medical device business associates have security certification
Andy Slavitt & Vindell Washington on data in healthcare: ‘We still have a lot of work to do’
MIT, Harvard researchers partner for $27M AI ethics initiative
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.