JOURNAL OF LIAONING TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF DATA VISUALISATION TOOLS AS AN AID FOR DECISION-MAKING IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR

Rashidat Ayanbanke BUSARI, Taofiki Adekola SANNI

Abstract

In the era of data-driven healthcare, the vast and complex datasets generated by electronic health records, medical devices, and administrative systems pose significant challenges to decision-making. Data visualization tools, such as Power BI and Tableau, enable healthcare professionals to simplify and interpret these datasets, facilitating data-driven decisions and improving patient outcomes. This study evaluates the effectiveness of these tools in analyzing key metrics, including bed occupancy rates, emergency department utilization, and demographic distributions. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative analysis of datasets from the Scottish Health and Social Care Open Database with qualitative insights to assess their application in decision-making. Results reveal that Power BI excels in providing broad overviews and temporal trends, while Tableau offers detailed demographic and location-specific insights. Both tools enhance decision-making by identifying trends and optimizing resource allocation. However, their effectiveness depends on data quality, user training, and addressing ethical concerns such as data privacy. The integration of advanced technologies like AI with visualization tools presents opportunities for predictive analytics, enabling proactive interventions. The study underscores the transformative potential of these tools in improving healthcare outcomes and optimizing resource utilization. The study recommended investing in training programs to enhance data literacy among healthcare professionals, fostering a data-driven decision-making culture, and exploring patient-centric visualization tools. These actions will unlock the full potential of data visualization in transforming healthcare outcomes and optimizing resource utilization.

Keywords: Data visualization, healthcare decision-making, Power BI, Tableau, resource optimization