Building legitimacy of big data technologies together: reflections on a continuous journey

The uptake of big data technologies depends upon whether the actors recognize the values that underpin the initiatives. Big data technologies need to be seen as legitimate, not only by the healthcare professionals who work with these technologies in practice but also by policymakers and patients and ultimately by the public at large.

Nonetheless, it is important to highlight that enhancing the legitimacy of big data technologies cannot be done by only adhering to the formal legislation or by explaining the evidence of big data technology.

In this new video released with the lessons learned in the BigMedilytics project, Dr. Rik Wehrens, assistant professor at the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management of Erasmus University, explains what legitimacy entails and what projects can do to build legitimacy.

Two main lessons can be learned from the BigMedilytics project:

• The legitimacy of big data technologies needs continuous work by many.
• All should invest in the social dimensions of big data technologies to ensure their uptake.