Ecbs5091 Ethics Of Big Data Assessment Answers

1. Describe and support your view of the moral status of CDS and Big Data in terms of one of the following:
CDS and Big Data are value neutral They are passive, like TV or radio, such that they are not good or bad in themselves. The systems are value neutral and raise no ethical issues. Ethical scrutiny is appropriate only when evaluation the uses to which they are put.
CDS and Big Data are value laden They are designed for a specific purpose, like a hand gun, and once we are aware of that purpose we must examine the intent of the designer and manufacturer to determine the values instilled into the technology.
CDS and Big Data are shared-value entities --The systems are a complex network of technologies, data, and values, such that moral responsibility should be assigned to all who build and use them.
2. In what ways do evidence-based medicine and CDSs promote ethical values of clinical professions in the delivery of care and in which ways do they detract from them?

3. Are there healthcare-related tasks that computers should never be permitted to perform even if the machine were more accurate, precise, and reliable than a human? 

 

Answer to Question 1:

The development in technologies of Big Data has passed the limits of understanding by individual actions and their effects in the digital world. However, there are many ethical challenges faced from big data. The network of information accessed by big data forms a digital image of the information that is being accessed. This is termed as datafication in terms of technologies. This however makes it very inefficient in cases of knowledge and free will. Most companies or individuals can access this information and get access unethically. This creates a misfortune in power handling and the most benefited from these circumstances are the individual organizations and corporate agencies (John Walker, 2014). This is a very important aspect and proper steps must be taken. However, big data in itself is not harmful but the way it is used, poses a risk. This sole factor might pose as an ethical risk.

Clinical Decision Support (CDS) system is used to tell the symptoms of a particular health issue but it cannot provide the method of treatment procedure or the ending of the treatment procedure. In addition, demographic information is not accurately provided by the CDS systems. Some psychological errors due to demographic and cultural changes can lead to misinterpretation of health problems. There are also limitations in database size of a CDS system. Some CDS systems cannot handle big databases and thus sometimes crashes or causes failures (Volande & Paasche-Orlow, 2007). Thus, the CDS systems are designed for a specific use but limitations of it can lead to extreme problems and this might pose as an ethical risk.

Answer to Question 2:

Evidence based medicine (EBM) is termed as a judicious use of modern resources that can be rightly integrated in making right decisions about individual person’s care. However, for a professional doctor, there is no need for an EBM, but an EBM scan can provide effective results in terms of gender, ethnics and background. EBM is a very useful and educational tool that provides certain information and helps to compare between results.  However, there are many disadvantages to using EBMs. The software for EBM is based on research studies and thus it is possible that clinical data will not be appropriate for certain patients. This may result in discrepancies in treatments and disrupt a doctor-patient relationship (Hughes, 2001). Moreover, some health centers might stick with the findings of the EBM and reject the analytical data provided by a physician, which can be insulting to a doctor.

There are many ways by which patient care is increased by the use of CDS systems. Firstly, medication errors are removed which provides a risk free process to provide medications especially for infants. Secondly, misdiagnoses can be easily removed by the implementation of CDS systems where mostly accurate results are provided. Lastly, accuracy in information is also another advantage. Most physicians use books, which can be outdated and thus provides a slight chance of error (Goodman, 2007). CDSs can be constantly updated to store relevant data to help in diagnosis. However, there are many potential threats in the use of CDS systems. It can affect the relationship between a doctor and his patient, which will be the cause of negligence towards patients (Goodman, 2007).

Answer to Question 3:

Computers provide extensive ways to automate a system or sector. This process of automation is considered very reliable and accurate. This is because, the information that computers possess are based on recent documents and articles and thus their database is very much updated in terms of knowledge. However, there are several aspects where computer automated process can degrade the ethics of a business or organization and thus, should only be handled by certified human personnel. Health care systems are included in the aforementioned aspects. There are certain areas in medical science that must be handled by physicians. These aspects include those areas where physicians are supposed to diagnose their patients physically and hence automation in this aspect is highly unrewarded (Timmermans & Mauck, 2005). In addition, in terms of surgeries or other important times, expert knowledge is required which can be only accomplished by a physician’s expertise. In terms of making tough decisions, automation is unethical. Human psychology is another aspect that needs human expertise rather than automated computer process. Psychology is a very sensitive portion in health care systems and computer applications can sometimes provide different solutions, which are not intended. This can lead to unknown responses and can damage the ethics of an organization. It can also damage the ethical relationship between a physician and a patient (Cohen et al., 2014). Many legal actions can also be undertaken when misleading information are provided which can risk a patient’s life. These threats will always ensure that efficient human care is always given to patients.

References:

Cohen, I. G., Amarasingham, R., Shah, A., Xie, B., & Lo B. (2014). The legal and ethical concerns that arise from using complex predictive analytics. Health Affairs, 33(7): 1139-1147. 

Goodman, K. W. (2007). Ethical and legal issues in decision support. In E. S. Berner (ed.) Clinical Decision Support Systems Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. New York: Springer. 

Hughes, G. B. (2001). Evidence-based medicine in health care reform. Otolaryngology-Head Neck Surgery, 145(4): 526-529. 

Timmermans, S. & Mauck, A. (2005). The promises and pitfalls of evidence-based medicine. Health Affairs, 24(1): 18-28. 

Volandes, A. E. & Paasche-Orlow, M. K. (2007). Health literacy, health inequality and a just healthcare system. The American Journal of Bioethics, 7(11): 5-10.

John Walker, S. (2014). Big data: A revolution that will transform how we live, work, and think.