Neil and I were discussing the use of algorithms and heuristics to solve problems or calculate. (I was exposed by Professor Tim De Dombal *** to the use of heuristics and algorithms before I attended university in 1969. Neil and I were discussing the role of algorithms and heuristics for health care data processing. ( *** de Dombal, Francis Timothy (1937 - 1995) (rcseng.ac.uk).
As we hope to attend the fourth UN World data Forum next month three examples of the use of algorithms and heuristic methods during the covid pandemic and during the development of a national emergency record system have come to mind.
(“An algorithm is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.” Wikipedia
“Wikipedia - Heuristics are the strategies derived from previous experiences with similar problems. These strategies depend on using readily accessible, though loosely applicable, information to control problem solving in human beings, machines and abstract issues.[3][4] When an individual applies a heuristic in practice, it generally performs as expected. However it can alternatively create systematic errors.
“The most fundamental heuristic is trial and error, which can be used in everything from matching nuts and bolts to finding the values of variables in algebra problems. In mathematics, some common heuristics involve the use of visual representations, additional assumptions, forward/backward reasoning and simplification. Here are a few commonly used heuristics from George Pólya's 1945 book, How to Solve It:[6]
- When experiencing a difficulty in understanding a problem, draw the architecture from all directions e.g. top-view, side-view, front-view.
- If you can't find a solution, try assuming that you have a solution and seeing what you can derive from that ("working backward"). AKA "what shape would it have" aka system-requirements.
- If the problem is abstract, try examining a concrete example.
- Try solving a more general problem first (the "inventor's paradox": the more ambitious plan may have more chances of success).)”
Whichever method is used – algorithmic or heuristic - data is a requirement for calculating or other problem solving. The advantage of digital data that have already been processed and recorded is that they are processible almost instantly by many algorithms and heuristic methods by Trusted Research Environments based anywhere if information that has been collected has been recorded in a suitable digital data format.)
Example 1. During the covid pandemic, in March 2020, the UK government altered the “Control of patient Information” (COPI) rules for the NHS creating a new and temporary (state enforced social contract) algorithm that allowed greater state use of personal health data.
Control of patient information (COPI) notice - NHS Digital
This algorithm was revoked in June 2022 as the pandemic receded.
Example 2 Another example of an algorithm for national health data processing is the NHS “GP Summary exclusion code list” which excludes data automatically that deals with issues of high level sensitivity.
IF3286 GP Summary exclusion code list (emishealth.com)
The GP Summary exclusion code lists support exclusion of sensitive data from emergency care summary records ***and provide clinical terms (Read codes) relevant to the following: Gender reassignment.
Assisted conception and in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)
Termination of pregnancy
The dataset is maintained by GP (professional) representatives from the four UK countries and the Joint GP IT committee, and has been approved by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) ethics committee and the Joint GP IT Committee.
(*** Summary Care Records (SCR) are an electronic record of important patient information, created from GP medical records. They can be seen and used by authorised staff in other areas of the health and care system involved in the patient's direct care.)
Example 3. A national GP electronic record company searched GP records for patients who had had a pathognomonic blood sugar result diagnostic of diabetes when a diagnosis that should have been made was not made.
HIFA profile: Richard Fitton is a retired family doctor - GP. Professional interests: Health literacy, patient partnership of trust and implementation of healthcare with professionals, family and public involvement in the prevention of modern lifestyle diseases, patients using access to professional records to overcome confidentiality barriers to care, patients as part of the policing of the use of their patient data Email address: richardpeterfitton7 AT gmail.com
