Digital social innovation based on Big Data Analytics for health and well-being of society

Abstract

BackgroundAny nation's health policy aims to properly care for its citizens and the society's quality of life. Since in the healthcare system, the population's health is the essential component of national wealth, health is treated as a public good and a social value. Therefore, in recent times, in addition to traditional instruments for promoting healthy lifestyles, health policy has increasingly turned to information instruments and digital technologies.AimsThe paper aims to recognize the role of Big Data Analytics (BDA) in developing Digital Social Innovation (DSI) in the healthcare field. The proposal of the author's Individual Health Plan Platform (IHPP) solution is presented as an example of Digital Social Innovation.Material and methodsThe research is based on a critical analysis of the literature, followed by a Focus Group study aimed at determining the potential of Big Data Analytics, including especially analysis based on data from wearables, to help manage one's health and improve the society's well-being. The focus research also included verification of the research model presented in the article and evaluation of the proposed solution, the Individual Health Plan Platform, including the possibilities of its implementation as a solution to complement healthcare provided by medical facilities in Poland.ResultsThe results of the focus group interviews show that analysing data from wearables and the proposed IHPP could be helpful in managing one's own health and helping to level important problems in healthcare.ConclusionOne of the goals of this paper was to determine the role of BDAs in the development of social innovations in healthcare. From the analysis of the literature, results of the focus group study and discussion, it was concluded that Big Data Analytics has the potential to develop social innovation in healthcare.