The Information Model

An information model is used in software engineering as a high level representation of concepts, relationships, constraints, rules and operations to specify data semantics for a chosen domain of discourse. It isn’t actually a something but it provides a framework for organising data content, actions and processes that can be used to proof or test the theory of what is being asked for in real-world scenarios. The Information model will sit over data models.

In healthcare it is crucial that the model is informed by those who are delivering the care processes, the clinical context for this is of upmost importance, and without informed clinical input the outputs will likely not be useful understandable or productive.

Many of the advantages that begin to become possible from working in a digital environment require a fresh approach to thinking about how our models and processes for delivering care relate to how our clinical information is managed, processed, retrieved, stored and analysed. The information model is a key link between the real-world of clinical encounters and the ability of technology to provide significant additional benefit is the ability to conceptually link these domains. Having a well understood and tested information model brings the world of the computer chip to that of care delivery so that the productivity expected in theory is delivered in a way that avoids unintended consequences that arise from the misconceptions and misunderstandings between the two distinct operational realities.

 

The information model allows for multiple concepts, relationships, constraints, and rules to be communicated and expressed in a way that is amenable to computer processing, it is through this lens that the ability for using a sophisticated clinical terminology and coding system links to daily care activity. Here also the necessity to have logical and standardised document structures and data definitions reduces ambiguity and prevents the computer from making “mistakes”. The requirement for clarity, high quality data, standardisation of process, and logic all start to make sense in the world of technology, here also the expectations of what can be achieved and what is delivered can be challenged and an intuitive design of meaningful workflow can be generated.

The information model as a concept is a crucial linchpin in being able to specify, operationally deploy and maintain technology based systems that will deliver clinical expectations. It is also a foundational element in obtaining high quality data from normal standardised workflow that is minimally invasive to care processes, but is fundamental to knowledge supports and information analysis in reporting outcomes, ultimately improving safety and performance to agreed care outcomes.