Data journey map: a process for co-creating data requirements for health care artificial intelligence

The Caribbean small island developing states have limited resources for comprehensive health care provision and are facing an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases which is driven by an aging regional population. Artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies offer promise for contributing to health care efficiencies, but themselves are dependent on the availability and accessibility of accurate health care data. A regional shortfall in data professionals continues to hamper legislative recognition and promotion of increased data production in Caribbean countries. Tackling the data shortfall will take time and will require a sustainably wider pool of data producers. The data journey map is one approach that can contribute to overcoming such challenges. A data journey map is a process for organizing the collection of health data that focuses on interactions between patient and health care provider. It introduces the idea that data collection is an integral part of the patient journey and that interactions between patient and provider can be enhanced by building data collection into daily health care. A carefully developed and enacted data journey map highlights key points in the care pathway for data collection. These so-called data hotspots can be used to plan - then eventually implement - appropriate AI health care solutions. In this article we introduce the idea of journey mapping, offer an example using cervical cancer prevention and treatment, and discuss the benefits and challenges to implementing such an approach.