NOVEMBER , 2023 | THE HEALTH

BRAIN BITES

BY DR WAEL MY MOHAMED

AI significantly enhances healthcare delivery by enabling healthcare professionals to improve illness diagnosis , treatment planning , and administrative processes . This technology empowers healthcare providers to provide more precise and efficient patient care . AI is now undergoing a transformative process within the healthcare sector , leading to significant advancements in patient outcomes and a re-evaluation of the roles and duties of healthcare professionals .

DATA STEWARD

Clinical data management has seen significant transformation in the last century , as the pharmaceutical industry has transitioned from paperbased trials to Electronic Data Capture ( EDC ) technologies . The emergence of a new culture characterised using real-time data , risk assessment , and customised clinical monitoring measures has led to an increased need for expedited processing of clinical trial data .

The role of the conventional clinical data manager is evolving into that of a clinical data steward or clinical data scientist as they navigate novel tactics and technology for handling large quantities of data . The role of clinical data management entails the integration of knowledge in life sciences with expertise in informatics .

Individuals possess the capacity to comprehend the particularity of the data that necessitates collection and then establish the requisite procedures for storing and managing this data . The role of a data steward involves supervising the generation of research data by the data manager and consolidating various data sources within a study .

The individuals in question actively participate in all stages of data gathering , management , curation , storage , and sharing over an extended period . They oversee the organisation of diverse data categories and establish connections between the data and the corresponding participants . The data steward has responsibility for managing the data created during the research by various stakeholders .

BIOINFORMATICIAN

In contemporary medicine and biology , the significance of data analysis has seen a notable increase . Both fields have transitioned into the age of Big Data when the extraction and handling of information are reliant on computer

technology .

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary discipline concerned with extracting and using information from fields such as biomedicine and data science . The role of a bioinformatician encompasses three primary tasks : data analysis , software development , and modelling .

Data analysis involves identifying and extracting pertinent information from the available data . Software development includes the creation of algorithms and novel visualisation techniques .

Lastly , modelling refers to constructing computational models to simulate and understand biological phenomena . In several instances , a bioinformatician is required to integrate the three operations to accommodate the research topic they are endeavouring to address .

Is it possible to pursue a career as a bioinformatician ? It is quite likely that the answer is affirmative . To excel in this field , it is essential to cultivate proficient programming abilities and foundational comprehension of elementary statistics and biology .

Nevertheless , curiosity emerges as the paramount attribute that one must possess . It is vital to cultivate a genuine passion and enthusiasm for one ’ s pursuits and be receptive to new findings . The role of a bioinformatician is very fulfilling since it places individuals in a prominent position within several scientific endeavours . The job is subject to continuous evolution , whereby current prominent methodologies are likely to become obsolete over five years . The abilities developed by bioinformatics and data science professionals are increasingly pertinent across several industries .

RESEARCH ENGINEER IN SIGNAL PROCESSING

Over the last decade , wearable sensors ’ precision , size , weight , and costeffectiveness have notably advanced . The use of emerging technologies has led to the acquisition of biosignals and biometrics , which , coupled with advancements in signal processing via machine learning and AI , has instigated a transformative movement in medicine , health and sports research .

This paradigm shift enables the provision of tailored therapies to individuals . A Research Engineer specialising in Signal Processing works at the forefront of technological advancements , bridging the gap between engineering and medical fields .

The engineer has the knowledge and skills to effectively use sensor technologies within laboratory

Dr Wael MY Mohamed is with the Department of Basic Medical Science , Kulliyyah of Medicine , International Islamic University Malaysia ( IIUM ). settings and in practical , real-world applications . Additionally , they are proficient in collecting , processing , analysing , and visualising sensor signals , enabling them to extract medically significant data .

For example , the research engineer would design a shoe insole with pressure and motion sensors . Subsequently , a series of experiments would be conducted using the insoles to gather sensor signals .

Finally , the acquired data would be subjected to processing procedures . The signal-processing engineer uses machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to analyse the gathered data .

For instance , by analysing substantial quantities of audio recordings generated during coughing episodes using a smartphone , signalprocessing experts may contribute to detecting Covid-19 infection , therefore mitigating the expenses and labour associated with doing such diagnostic assessments . The Research Engineer in Signal Processing has a strong affinity for novel technologies like sensors and exhibits a genuine enthusiasm for exploring data and developing algorithmic solutions to extract valuable insights .

Within this occupation , individuals engage in collaborative efforts with a wide range of teams , including medical professionals , therapists , and researchers from many disciplines , such as biology , biomechanics , and sports science . - The Health