Navigating Health Data Analysis: My Experience in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Introduction
Landing in Swansea, Wales, UK, in late December 2021 from Eldoret, Kenya marked the beginning of a transformative journey during one of the most challenging times in recent history. The world was grappling with the peak of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and the outbreak of a new variant, Omicron, was a stark reminder of the urgency and importance of Health Data Science (HDS). Driven by a passion for using data to solve complex health challenges, I embarked on my master’s studies in HDS.
During my studies, I explored courses such as Machine Learning (ML), Data Modelling, Data Visualisation, Bioinformatics for Genome Analysis, Analysis of Linked Health Data, and Scientific Computing in Healthcare. My dissertation “Evaluating Cognitive Assessments in the Progression to Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease Using Machine Learning,” provided practical experience in applying these skills to real-world problems. Additionally, I engaged in projects using R and QGIS to visualise global COVID-19 trends and applied ML techniques in R to predict heart disease.
After graduating in the Summer of 2023, I transitioned from academia to a role as a Health Data Analyst (HDA) at the Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma (DOT), Institute for Regeneration and Repair…
