Data for orthopaedic surgeons - A review

As we step into a technology powered era, where information is available everywhere, managing data forms an important part of professional and everyday life. With developments like online databases, high definition videos and images, social media, robotics, explosion of academic publications, telecommunication, artificial intelligence and internet of things, there is a variable amount of data that the orthopaedic surgeon is exposed to and has to deal with on a regular basis. It is imperative that the surgeon has a basic working knowledge on data and its applications in relation to the field of orthopaedic surgery. This review introduces the surgeon to data and its types, its sources, collection, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), management after collection, Big data and legal issues related to data. Data generators from megabytes to yottabytes are discussed along with options for their storage and analysis. Knowledge on the types of data is important to decide on the type of statistical tests that may be used on them, for the options available for storage, analysis and legal issues. We discuss the different types of data, computer and cloud-based systems of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) with their advantages and disadvantages as well as the differences between conventional and EMRs. Management of data after collection is discussed including storage and backup, archiving and sharing, organizing, tracking changes and analysis. High resolution images, videos, robotics and analytics are powering demand and production of data in Trauma and Orthopaedics. Issues like copyright, Privacy, security, encryption and legal issues related to data are highlighted as these are important as more and more data is being used online and involve issues of privacy and security. We also take a look into the future of data in orthopaedics as digitization of the world is occurring at a rapid pace.