Development of an Open Metadata Schema for Clinical Pathway (openCP) in China

Abstract

Summary Background: By the end of the first quarter of 2017, 1212 standard Clinical Pathways (CPs) had been developed and implemented in China since 2009, however, Chinese standard CPs are still paper-based CPs. Objectives: To optimize the data structure and content of Chinese standard CPs based on Chinese health standards by two-level modeling approach and archetype method, and develop an Open Metadata Schema for Clinical Pathway (openCP) in China. Methods: We chose 43 diseases covering 7 departments of internal medicine as samples and source materials including Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Endocrinology, and Hematology, and we followed 4 steps to develop openCP: identify reference model of openCP; develop archetype models; standardize archetype terms and metadata; and evaluate its functionality. Results: We have built hierarchical reference model and archetypes of openCP, created and standardized archetype terms and metadata, and evaluate the functionality of openCP. The qualitative comments from 5 doctors were inspiring. Discussion and Conclusions: Medical staff may easily build localized CPs in openCP which can be integrated into EHR systems and shared among different hospitals and clinics.

A Knowledge Management System for the Variation in Regional Clinical Pathways of Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Smart Cloud Services

“…In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the CPs implementation is incorporated with therapies, techniques and equipment with TCM characteristics, aiming to streamline the diagnosis and treatment plan [4]. Therefore, the TCM CPs need to effectively combine syndrome differentiation and disease differentiation.…”