Development and Implementation of Semantic Information Standards for Oncology

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2024 Aug 22:316:1358-1362. doi: 10.3233/SHTI240664.

Abstract

Data exchange in oncological healthcare is hindered by insufficient standardization agreements. An Information Standard comprises agreements facilitating accurate communication of care information with the necessary quality and timeliness. We introduce a structured approach to designing, implementing, and maintaining semantic information standards for oncology, supporting information use across medical scenarios. It consists of an element dataset organized into three tiers, ensuring comprehensive documentation and reliable information exchange. These agreements enhance health data interoperability and system functionality, governed by semantic standardization. Together with communication standards, they empower healthcare professionals with extensive medical records and grant patients control over their health data. Consequently, a high-quality semantic information standard supports both providers and patients, and is adequate during development and manageable during maintenance.

Keywords: Healthcare; concepts; data elements; interoperability; intra-operability.

MeSH terms

  • Electronic Health Records* / standards
  • Health Information Exchange / standards
  • Health Information Interoperability / standards
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology* / standards
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Semantics*