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The Rise of Pickleball: A Look at Growing Popularity and Injury Trends
Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, with participation soaring over 200% in the last three years, as reported by Pickleheads. As the game gains popularity, it brings with it a concerning rise in injuries associated with the sport.
Understanding Pickleball Injuries
Injuries in pickleball primarily result from falls, leading to serious conditions such as bone fractures, ligament sprains, and muscle strains, according to a report by NBC News. With the sharp increase in players, the frequency of these injuries has also escalated, placing a spotlight on safety and recovery in the sport.
AI-Driven Insights into Pickleball Injuries
Cedars-Sinai is employing artificial intelligence to analyze injury data extracted from clinical notes. Kathy Bailey, the principal data intelligence analyst at Cedars-Sinai, is set to share insights at HIMSS25 regarding their findings and the implications for clinical research. During her presentation titled “Extraction Fueled by AI of Information on Patient Injuries,” scheduled for March 4, Bailey will shed light on the innovative ways AI is transforming injury data collection.
Enhancing Data Extraction Methods
While Cedars-Sinai does not have comprehensive statistics on pickleball injuries, their AI-driven approach has identified a significantly higher number of patients than traditional methods could achieve. Bailey noted, “We have identified more than enough patients that the study had hoped, with 80% correctly identified in our sample.” This method reduces manual examination time and enhances data accuracy.
The Role of AI in Clinical Research
Using AI, particularly large language models like GPT-4, allows for the extraction of critical injury-related data from free-text clinical notes. This technology can determine the probability of injuries, identify injury locations, assess severity, and note injury dates—all while drastically minimizing the time required for data preparation and analysis. Such advancements underscore the necessity for robust data extraction methods in clinical research.
Overcoming Limitations of Traditional Methods
Bailey emphasizes the importance of extracting crucial information that is often buried in unstructured clinical notes. Traditional methods such as Regex in SQL can struggle to capture contextual information adequately, often necessitating extensive manual review and data cleansing. By leveraging AI, researchers are gaining access to valuable information that can significantly improve clinical outcomes and research findings.
Conclusion: The Future of Safety in Pickleball
As interest in pickleball continues to grow, understanding and mitigating injuries is paramount. The application of AI in extracting detailed insights from clinical documentation not only accelerates research but also paves the way for improved safety measures. As Kathy Bailey presents her findings at HIMSS25, the hope is to enhance awareness and create strategies that ensure players can enjoy pickleball safely.
Kathy Bailey will present at HIMSS25 on “Extraction Fueled by AI Information on Patient Injuries Related to Pickleball” on Tuesday, March 4, from 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM, at the Venetian, Level 5, Palazzo M.
For more information, reach out to the writer at Smorse@himss.org.