In healthcare, the availability of new data sets (variety) and the pace at which the data changes (velocity) is driving the rapid adoption of Big Data techniques.  New data sets from social patient reviews, physician payments, sensor/ personal medical devices, and patient behavior are leading the change. 

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Adoption of digital technologies has been more rapid in industries such as retail, financial services, and media than in the Healthcare and Life Sciences (HLS) industries. Mobile and social communications, analytics, cloud computing and the Internet of things are just a few of the technologies that can make a big impact in how HLS organizations go to market faster, engage with patients better or transform their healthcare programs.

Life Sciences firms have witnessed an explosion in available data sources. The chief catalyst for the proliferation of data within the health care and life sciences industry is the Internet of Things, specifically personal digital care devices. The wearable devices serve many purposes, from monitoring daily fitness activity to measuring glucose levels. For pharmaceutical companies, these devices are an efficient way of administering clinical trials.Instead of patients going to the hospital numerous times throughout the trial for health monitoring, patients can simply wear a digital device that captures all of the pertinent information.