Abstract: Dark data, unstructured and often overlooked healthcare information, represents an untapped asset with the potential to revolutionize clinical decision-making and operational efficiency. This mixed-methods study examined healthcare professionals’ perceptions of dark data, focusing on awareness, perceived value, confidence, and barriers to use. Quantitative findings from 220 survey respondents revealed moderate awareness (M = 3.50, SD = 0.95) but significantly high perceived value (M = 3.82, SD = 0.99; [t(219) = 17.30, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 1.84)]. However, neither awareness, value, role, nor experience predicted confidence in use (R² = .041), suggesting a readiness gap. Qualitative insights from 15 semi-structured interviews identified five themes: conceptual ambiguity, belief in potential, organizational barriers, lack of professional development, and restricted data access. Synthesizing both strands of data revealed a disconnect between enthusiasm for dark data and institutional capacity to support its use. Guided by the Diffusion of Innovations and Technology Acceptance models, the study highlights the need for strategic interventions. These include education programs, workflow integration, updated governance frameworks, and support for clinician-led innovation. The study concludes that institutional and operational hardiness, defined as the systemic resilience and adaptability required to mobilize human, technical, and policy resources, is essential to realize dark data’s transformative potential in healthcare.
Keywords: dark data, healthcare professionals, data utilization, technology acceptance, perceived value, readiness, data literacy, unstructured data.
Title: Is Untapped Dark Data a Missed Opportunity? A Mixed-Methods Study of Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions and Barriers
Author: Dr. David Augustine Bull
International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology Research
ISSN 2348-1196 (print), ISSN 2348-120X (online)
Vol. 13, Issue 3, July 2025 - September 2025
Page No: 100-120
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 26-July-2025
