Big data has been applied in a variety of ways in healthcare. It can be considered as a tool for data collection. And hence, there are certain criteria needed in this tool to be of value. Optimists have exaggerated the benefits of big data, while pessimists reported negative aspects. Big data remains a reality that healthcare must face and maximize its value. The authors identified few guiding principles for scientific utilization of big data in healthcare. These include: generate evidence by scientific methods, assure validity and significance, use multi-step analysis, and lastly consider sensitivity, and specificity.
Keywords: Big data; Bradford Hill criteria; healthcare; prevention.