“Learning health care” for patients and populations

A patient-focused learning health system, using integrated data sources, will facilitate optimal care of individuals and result in better care of our populations and society

In this issue of the Journal, two articles report strikingly high use of health services in Australia.1,2 Lowthian and colleagues document a 75% increase in emergency ambulance transportations, and forecast another 46%–69% increase by 2015.1 Rosenwax and colleagues demonstrate that 96% of Western Australians dying of life-limiting illnesses were admitted to hospital in their last year of life.2 These authors raise three points: use of health care is expanding; solutions are needed to care for people with chronic complex illness; and we can improve understanding and solutions through analysis of growing datasets.