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Unlocking the value of transparent healthcare data

In the healthcare industry, data has become an indispensable tool for making informed decisions, enhancing patient care, and shaping business strategies. However, the real power of healthcare data doesn’t just come from its availability; it lies in an understanding of what that data means—the provenance, the operational definitions and inferences that can be made. Without a clear understanding of where data originates, how it is compiled, and what it truly represents, decision-makers risk relying on incomplete or misleading information.

At Symphony Health, an ICON plc company, we believe that transparency is the foundation of reliable data. We expect it from our data providers and are committed to making it the cornerstone of all client engagements. Our approach centers on maintaining a closer connection to the data’s origin. By working directly with primary data providers, we minimize layers of intermediaries, providing you with a more stable and reliable data pipeline. Our commitment goes beyond providing raw figures; we offer clarity, context, and actionable insights that empower our clients to make confident, data-driven decisions.

In this blog, we'll explore how transparency in healthcare data can unlock its full potential. We’ll discuss the critical questions to ask about data sources, the importance of understanding methodologies, and how to interpret data counts effectively. Discover why transparency matters and how Symphony Health’s approach ensures you get the most accurate, actionable insights.

Understanding the context of healthcare data

A critical question when evaluating data providers is: Do I fully understand what’s behind the numbers? At Symphony Health, every count—whether related to patient encounters, prescriptions, or treatment pathways—is backed by clear, precise and documented definitions and methodologies. We are upfront about how our data is generated, including when it hasn’t been cleaned or adjusted. This level of transparency empowers our clients to make decisions grounded in accurate, real-world evidence.

Don’t fall into the trap of assuming that more data is always better, or that projected/modified data is necessarily better than raw data. Projected/modified data can create the false sense of accuracy, when in fact sometimes the raw data provides more accurate insight, particularly when it comes to tracking patient behaviours. However, there are situations where projected or modified data is valuable, such as when raw data is incomplete or requires adjustment to account for trends, anomalies, or future scenarios. In these cases, projections can offer a more comprehensive picture that helps with decision-making and long-term planning. Symphony Health goes beyond raw data, providing context and solutions that align with your specific business objective(s).  Our methodological approach is developed collaboratively so you can fully understand the data or analytical results and derive insights that are both actionable and relevant to your specific challenges.

At times, the value of data comes from leaving it unadjusted, providing a clear view of trends and behaviours. Symphony Health recognises that not all data should be cleaned or modified. We offer full transparency, allowing our clients to see the entire scope of the data, including any nuances, so they can make well-informed decisions.

By offering comprehensive context, we help you evaluate what data is the best fit for your needs. Our consultants help you balance needs such are recency and frequency, we also acknowledge the limitations of the data when necessary, giving you the clarity needed to ensure that you are asking the right questions and making informed decisions. Our focus is on what matters most, context and relevance, not just the volume or surface-level metrics.

Avoiding costly data mistakes with transparency

Poor decisions based on unclear or incomplete data can have significant consequences. Symphony Health ensures transparency at every stage, offering full visibility into our methodologies, data sources, and any adjustments made. This openness is not just a differentiator—it’s critical for making the best decisions for your business, patients, and stakeholders.

We encourage you to go beyond basic metrics when assessing potential data suppliers. Ask deeper questions: What definitions were used? How was the data aggregated? Were any adjustments made? We also encourage you to remember your business objectives—is completeness important? How about the number of years available for your cohort of interest. You do not necessarily want the ‘most’ but the ‘best’. Symphony Health believes transparency is key to unlocking the full value of healthcare data, and we are committed to delivering data that meets the highest standards of clarity, accuracy, and integrity without unnecessarily sacrificing volume.

In addition to encounter counts from medical claims, consider requesting data on the average and median years of continuous activity, as well as the number of patients with a specific period of continuous engagement. Additionally, seek insights into the duration of continuous reporting from billing organisations. This will provide greater visibility into sample stability, which is crucial for both longitudinal analyses and year-over-year comparisons.

Why transparency is key to unlocking data’s full potential

In healthcare, data is more than just numbers, it's about using those numbers effectively. At Symphony Health, we prioritise transparency because clear insights are essential for informed decisions and meaningful outcomes.

Our consultative approach ensures we understand your needs, connect your priorities to the right data solutions, and provide clear recommendations. When delivering information, pre or post-license, we include precise definitions, detailed methodologies, and transparency around any adjustments made. This ensures you receive not just accurate data, but also full context.

When evaluating data providers, don't settle for surface metrics. Symphony Health’s commitment to transparency ensures you can trust the information guiding your strategies. Choose data you can rely on, with insights that drive success.

 

Visit the Symphony Health webpage to learn more.

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