Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the mimilabs FAQ section! This is an evolving list of frequently asked questions designed to help you navigate our platform and community. As mimilabs grows and adapts to meet our members' needs, we'll continually update this FAQ with new information and insights. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team or ask in our community channels.

What exactly is mimilabs?

mimilabs is a membership-based community for healthcare data professionals. Our focus is on analyzing and building projects using publicly available healthcare datasets. We've curated and maintain up-to-date healthcare datasets that are ready for querying.

As a mimilabs member, you'll have access to:

A Slack workspace for networking, collaboration, troubleshooting, and discussions
A Databricks workspace for querying and analyzing thousands of public datasets
Support from various partners, including Stripe for administrative tasks and Anthropic for member support

What tools and platforms does mimilabs use?

mimilabs utilizes several platforms to achieve its goals:

Slack: For community interaction and discussions
Databricks: For data analysis and querying
Stripe: For administrative tasks
Anthropic: For member support

What languages does the mimilabs datalakehouse support?

The mimilabs datalakehouse, which is essentially a Databricks workspace, supports the following languages:

SQL
Python
Java
Scala
R

I don't know Python or SQL. Can I still use mimilabs?

Absolutely! We believe that with the advancement of AI, technical skills are becoming less crucial for data work. What matters most is your ideas and insights. We provide tools to help you:

Databricks Assistant: Helps you find the right tables and write scripts
mimi-bot: A Slack bot to assist with data exploration
Community support: Reach out to other members in the mimilabs Slack group for help

Can I save my SQL/Python scripts?

Yes, you can save your analytics scripts. Here are some guidelines:

For personal scripts: Save them in your own folder and control access permissions
For shared scripts: You can change settings at the file level to share with other mimilabs members

Can I upload my files and create new tables?

Yes, you can. All mimilabs members have "write" access to mimi_ws_1.sandbox. You can upload data files to the Volume under this schema.

How often are the datasets updated?

We strive to keep our datasets as current as possible. Update frequencies vary depending on the source, but most datasets are refreshed monthly or quarterly. Check the metadata for each dataset for specific update information.

Is there a limit to how much data I can query or analyze?

While we don't impose strict limits, we encourage responsible use of resources. If you're planning to run particularly large or complex queries, please reach out to our support team for guidance.

Can I collaborate with other members on projects?

Absolutely! Collaboration is encouraged within the mimilabs community. You can use Slack to find potential collaborators and share your Databricks notebooks with specific members or groups.

What kind of support is available if I encounter issues?

We offer multiple levels of support:

Community support through Slack channels
AI-powered assistance via mimi-bot and Databricks Assistant
Direct support from our team for technical or account-related issues

Are there any tutorials or learning resources available for new members?

Yes, we provide a range of resources for new members:

Getting started guides
Video tutorials
Regular webinars on various healthcare data topics
A curated list of external resources and courses

How can I suggest new datasets or features for mimilabs?

We welcome member input! You can suggest new datasets or features through:

Our dedicated Slack channel for suggestions
Quarterly member surveys
Direct communication with our product team

How secure is the data on mimilabs?

Security is a top priority at mimilabs. We implement industry-standard security measures to protect all data:

All data transmissions are encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
We use robust authentication methods to ensure only authorized users can access the data
Regular security audits are conducted to identify and address potential vulnerabilities
We comply with relevant data protection regulations

What types of healthcare datasets are available on mimilabs?

mimilabs offers a wide range of publicly available healthcare datasets that can impact:

healthcare policy
healthcare administration
healthcare management and operation
healthcare finance
population health
social determinants of health, and
any other R&D functions that can (in)directly support the above areas

The specific datasets available may vary, and we continuously work to expand our offerings.

Can I use mimilabs for commercial projects?

Yes, you can use mimilabs for commercial projects. However, please be aware of the following:

Ensure you comply with the licensing terms of the specific datasets you're using
Some datasets may have restrictions on commercial use
If you're unsure, consult our data usage guidelines or reach out to our support team

How do I cancel or pause my mimilabs membership?

To cancel or pause your membership, type this slash command, /payment, to mimi-bot. It will provide the link for the Stripe portal where you can manage your membership.

Are there different membership tiers?

Yes, mimilabs offers different membership tiers to cater to various needs:

Basic: Ideal for individual researchers or students (default)
Professional: Suited for data scientists and healthcare professionals; you can use high performance compute and personal storage
Enterprise: Designed for organizations and large teams

Each tier offers different levels of access and resources.

How can I get help if I'm stuck on a data analysis problem?

If you're facing challenges with your data analysis:

Check our knowledge base for tutorials and guides
Post your question in the relevant Slack channel for community support
Use the mimi-bot or Databricks Assistant for AI-powered help
For complex issues, you can schedule a 1-on-1 session with one of our data experts (available in higher-tier memberships)

Do you offer any certifications or learning paths?

While we don't currently offer official certifications, we do provide structured learning paths to help you develop your skills:

Beginner, intermediate, and advanced tracks in data analysis
Specialized paths for different healthcare data domains
Hands-on projects with real-world datasets

We're exploring the possibility of offering certifications in the future.

We always announce significant additions or changes through our Slack channels and email newsletters. Remember, if you have any questions not covered here, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team or ask the community. We're here to help you make the most of your mimilabs experience!