News :: Advancing the evolution of eHealth systems in the direction of semantic interoperability
Ontology-Driven Semantic Interoperability in eHealth
(03/07/2009) The Semantic Interoperability workshop was organised on June 22-23 in the framework of the epSOS project. The goal of this meeting was to advance the evolution of eHealth systems in the direction of semantic interoperability. The use and integration of terminologies and associated coding systems as well as ontology-based knowledge representation were two key topics of the workshop.
How can we arrive at the point where it will be possible to achieve computer-supported knowledge exchange between physicians, who may use different languages and live in different countries employing different eHealth infrastructures and technical applications, in such a way that patient safety and information confidentiality is safeguarded?
How can we ensure that health information will be accessible over geographic distances (for instance when patients move between hospitals) and over long periods of time (at least from birth to death)?
The european epSOS project is a major initiative to address these questions in their practical dimensions, and we will use the epSOS Patient Summary Scenario as our starting example. We will also take into account relevant recommendations of the EU RIDE and SemanticHealth projects.
Workshop Presentation and Agenda
Day 1: Monday, June 22, 2009
Ilias Iakovidis (European Commission, DG INFSO) - Introduction: The overarching goal of this meeting is to advance the understanding of patient summary and EHR-related standards with a view to enhanced semantic interoperability. The issues to be addressed are important not only for reasons of efficient data exchange, but also for industry, in light of the possibility of arriving at commonly agreed-upon standards for certification and interoperability testing (“test once use everywhere”).
Charles Parisot (EC Mandate 403) - Walking Together along the Road to Semantic Interoperability
Pathways to semantic interoperability
Octavian Purcarea (Microsoft WW Health) - Industry perspective on semantic interoperability
Thomas Beale (openEHR) - Semantic Interoperability in Health: The Practical Relevance of Ontologies
Stefano Bertolo (European Commission, DG INFSO) - Interoperable Components for a Knowledge Economy
Reports on ongoing efforts towards advancing semantic interoperability
Ioana Singureanu (Eversolve, HL7)- HL7 and Semantic Interoperability
Jennifer Zelmer (IHTSDO) - Towards Interoperability: Understanding and Using SNOMED CT
Day 2: Tuesday, June 22, 2009
Impact of semantic interoperable services on medical care and research
Robert Jakob (WHO) - The future of ICD - ICD Revision Process
Sylvia Thun (DIMDI, epSOS consortium) - epSOS Semantic Services Terminologies
Additional Information
See also: epSOS