Description
A pilot project involving eight distinct specialties has demonstrated that there are benefits for specialists to work with clinical terminologists to ensure that the terminology reflects best current practice and to ensure clinical ownership of the terms within defined speciality subsets. One specialty has been able to gather sufficient clinical data in SNOMED CT to demonstrate benefits in terms of subsequent data analysis and acquisition of knowledge beneficial to the commissioning of the specialty.
The project has demonstrated a requirement for co-ordinated clinical involvement in the on-going development and support of SNOMED CT overseen by the Royal Colleges and specialty groups within them. The next steps involve further subset development and testing by specialties and trusts. This should include the development and analysis of quality indicators predicated upon clinician recorded data using SNOMED CT.
Within the project there has also been some interaction with groups that engage with patients and carers. Early indications are that there will also be benefits to patients and carers from the consistency and visibility achieved through developing and publishing specialty subsets, especially when they can view their patient record.
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom