THE CANON-GROUPS EFFORT - WORKING TOWARD A MERGED MODEL

Objective: To develop a representational schema for clinical data for use in exchanging data applications, using a collaborative approach. D esign: Representational models for clinical radiology were independent ly developed manually by several Canon Group members who had diverse a pplication interests, using sample reports. These models were merged i nto one common model through an iterative process by means of workshop s, meetings, and electronic mail. Results: A core merged model for rad iologic findings present in a set of reports that subsumed the models that were developed independently. Conclusions: The Canon Group's mode ling effort focused on a collaborative approach to developing a repres entational schema for clinical concepts, using chest radiography repor ts as the initial experiment. This effort resulted in a core model tha t represents a consensus. Further efforts in modeling will extend the representational coverage and will also address such as scalability, a utomation, evaluation, and support of the collaborative effort.