JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is a flora of healthcare information models but no consensus on which to use. This leads to poor information sharing and duplicate modelling work. The amount and type of differences between models has to our knowledge not been evaluated.

Objective:

This work aims to explore how information structured with various information models actually differ with the hypothesis that a possible solution to the problem of using different models would be to continue doing just that. This work will also assess the usability of Competency Questions (CQs) as a method for evaluation of information models within healthcare.

Methods:

Four information standards, two standards for secondary use and two Electronic Health Record systems were included as material. Competency Questions were developed for a random selection of recommendations from a clinical guideline. The information needed to answer the CQs was modelled according to each included information model and the results were analysed.

Results:

34 CQs were developed and answered. Similarities between included information models were in general larger than differences. The demarcation between information model and terminology was overall similar. There was internal variability within some models and choices of terminology differed within and between models. The information models included in the study were able to represent most information required for answering the competency questions.

Conclusions:

In practice different information models structure much information in a similar fashion. To increase interoperability within and between systems, it is more important to move towards structuring information with any information model, than finding or developing a perfect information model. Competency Questions are a feasible way of evaluating how information models perform in practice. Clinical Trial: no: informatics; health care; information model; terminology; interoperability; competency questions