Joseph Coyle, MD - PhD Dissertation Defense

Dissertation Title:  The Clinical Element Model - Detailed Clinical Models

Supervisory Committee: Stan Huff, MD; Paul Clayton, PhD; Scott Narus, PhD, MS; Dennis Parker, PhD; Roberto Rocha, MD, PhD

Abstract:

Detailed clinical models (DCMs) are the basis for retaining computable meaning when data are exchanged between heterogeneous computer systems. DCMs are also the basis for shared computable meaning when clinical data are referenced in decision support logic, and they provide a basis for data consistency in a longitudinal electronic medical record. Intermountain Healthcare (IHC) has a long history in the design and evolution of these models beginning with PAL (PTXT Application Language) and then the Clinical Event Model which was developed in partnership with 3M. After the partnership between IHC and 3M dissolved, IHC decided to design a next generation architecture for DCMs. The problem addressed in this work is the need to develop a detailed clinical model architecture that meets the needs of Intermountain Healthcare and other healthcare organizations.

To approach this problem:

1.     An updated version of the Clinical Event model was created using XML Schema as a formalism to describe models.

2.     In response to problems with XML Schema, The Clinical Element Model was designed and created using Clinical Element Modeling Language as a formalism to describe models.

3.     To verify that our model met the needs of IHC and others, a desiderata for Detailed Clinical Models was developed.

4.     The Clinical Element Model is then critiqued using the desiderata as a guide, and suggestions for further refinements to the Clinical Element Model are described. 

Bio:

Joseph F. Coyle M.D. is a Clinical Pathologist who has worked for Intermountain Health Care since 1996.  His focus of expertise is the electronic medical record and detailed clinical models.