A framework for selection of health terminology systems: A prerequisite for interoperability of health information systems

Abstract

Health terminology systems (HTS) serve as the backbone for the interoperability of health information systems (HIS). Selecting appropriate terminologies is a universal concern for HTS stakeholders. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework for HTS selection. To do this, the study was designed in two stages: I) Developing an initial framework by running a systematic literature review (reviewing 100 articles selected based on the criteria from 10886 articles retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE), and II) Validation of the initial framework by the use of a modified Delphi Method (2 rounds). The proposed framework comprised four dimensions: terminology main group (TMG), important related terminologies (IRTs), message exchange standards (MES), and architecture of terminology standards (ATS). TMG includes “the committee for terminology selection”, “determination of the scope coverage”, and “requirement evaluation”. IRTs used during the creation and maintenance of terminologies for mapping purposes are classified into two groups: 1) administrative, financial and legal terminologies, and 2) clinical terminologies. The steps for applying MES for TMG include 1) need assessment for MES based on the objectives and scope of TMG, 2) reviewing MES at the national and international level, 3) choosing/developing the MES standard(s). Finally, the proposed ATS includes TMG, IRTs, health information systems, and standard-based programs like registries, and data-warehouses. The framework could be used as a foundation for policy-makers, and vendors to: 1) attain the goals of semantic interoperability, 2) ensure high-quality data exchange, and 3) increase data reusability.

Keywords

• Terminology
• Health information systems
• Controlled vocabulary
• Health information interoperability