Big Data analysis to improve care for people living with serious illness: The potential to use new emerging technology in palliative care

We read with interest the editorial by Peter Tanuesputro,1 which describes how Big Data analysis of linked data has the potential to support palliative care by improving identification of patient needs. The editorial described how the use of predictive algorithms (built using routinely collected data) could help to personalise care for people with palliative care needs. However, it is necessary to address the potential barriers that may prevent the full potential of Big Data from being realised.2 Some of these challenges (highlighted in the editorial) include the inadequate capture of certain information, such as nonhospital and mortality data, patient experience information and available familial/social support. In addition to these challenges, we discuss five additional issues that need to be considered in order to make meaningful use of Big Data analysis in palliative care.