(copy of comment posted onto Toms blog) Thanks Tom,
We share some common thinking on this, though I should make some additional points which I hope add to this important debate. You didn't mention the complex adaptive system nature of healthcare systems, which I know you are well aware of. The complexity of healthcare leads me to believe trying to agree and impose a single agreed healthcare information model is impossible to achieve. I would argue that the right solution in this healthcare space will evolve over time, albeit this could be accelerated if there was better working between eHealth standards bodies and the innovators at the frontline. You rightly mention "patterns" which should inform the best fit information model for the complexity of healthcare. This approach to looking for patterns in healthcare led me to openEHR when I first came across it. The patterns I was looking for.. was within the generic process of healthcare and I would suggest that any healthcare service oriented architecture and related standards should primarily be aimed at supporting the core service of healthcare, ie the healthcare process. Thankfully here the openEHR reference model comes into its own as the primary patterns it fits with is the generic clinical process cycle, which I know informed the openEHR reference model (you may have explicitly/inadvertently omitted that in your explanation). I make the related case for generic process oriented approach to healthcare standards here .. <a href="http://frectal.com/book/healthcare-change-the-way-forward/healthcare-chasing-the-right-fit-between-process-and-it/"; title="Healthcare: chasing the right fit between Process and IT..">Healthcare: chasing the right fit between Process and IT.</a> and here.. <a href="http://frectal.com/book/healthcare-change-the-way-forward/healthcare-openehr%E2%80%99s-potential-to-handle-complexity-diversity/"; title="Healthcare: openEHR?s potential to handle complexity & diversity">Healthcare: openEHR?s potential to handle complexity & diversity I won't argue that all standards bodies should come around to our way of thinking in one go, our approach should be a continued drive for Healthcare Improvement, supported by Information Technology (& related standards inc openEHR). I hope/believe in time the power of the openEHR reference model/archetypes/templates etc show such benefit that others come around to this complex adaptive system/generic process oriented approach in due course as things evolve.. Of course where healthcare improvements evolve from other shared standards efforts, we should look to learn from them too.. Regards, Tony __________________________________ From: openehr-clinical-bounces at openehr.org [openehr-clinical-bounces at openehr.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Beale [[email protected]] Sent: 05 May 2011 17:20 To: Openehr-Technical; For openEHR clinical discussions Subject: on the possibility of 'one information model' in e-health this is an often debated question, and after coming across (for the 100th time) just such a debate recently online, I thought it might be interesting to try to get to the bottom of the question in some way. The basic idea posted here<http://wolandscat.net/2011/05/05/no-single-information-model/>. It is of course not scientific work, but I would be interested in the views of others on this concept. - thomas beale ******************************************************************************************************************** This message may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient please inform the sender that you have received the message in error before deleting it. Please do not disclose, copy or distribute information in this e-mail or take any action in reliance on its contents: to do so is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Thank you for your co-operation. NHSmail is the secure email and directory service available for all NHS staff in England and Scotland NHSmail is approved for exchanging patient data and other sensitive information with NHSmail and GSi recipients NHSmail provides an email address for your career in the NHS and can be accessed anywhere For more information and to find out how you can switch, visit www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/nhsmail ********************************************************************************************************************
