1. Implementation SIG Future Discussion Points and Possible Next Steps
David Markwell
Head of Education

2. Implementation SIG – Issues and Opportunities
Changes in IHTSDO governance and advisory structures mean Implementation SIG no longer reports to a Standing Committee
Beverly Knight has reached the end of her term as SIG Chair
The SIG needs a new Co-Chair to support Amy Sheide in her role as Chair.
Without the I&E Committee there is no formal way to select a replacement
During the last year
The I&E Team (Linda Bird and I) have been overcommitted to getting E-Learning running so we have not focused sufficiently on the future of the SIG
The SIG has focused mostly on one topic (allergies) rather than on the broader landscape of implementation
E-Learning developments and Implementation SIG webinars have potential synergies that have yet to be exploited
There is an small loyal core of active SIG members but a need for wider engagement in the group to spread the benefits
Those taking/completing the E-Learning course on Implementation are potential new members for the group

3. Options Considered … (1)
Should Implementation SIG become an Implementation Advisory Group?
Current view is probably not … because
The perceived requirement is for an open implementation community group rather than a group with a formal membership (as specified in the Advisory Group Manual)
This does not preclude the group providing advice but it does a formal advisory role would be more likely to constrain membership and activities of the group

4. Options Considered … (2)
Should the group continue as in past but with the formal reporting route directed to Vendor Liaison Forum, Member Forum or some other body?
Current view is probably not … because
While VLF and MF have their own interests in aspects of implementation these interests are likely to be driven by commercial or national priorities – rather than by the freer thinking of a more open group
Thus this approach to formal reporting would probably not be the best way to harness the enthusiasm of those with a more general interest in SNOMED CT Implementation

5. Options Considered … (3)
Should the group become an even more open group that attracts more people to join and discuss open issues related to SNOMED CT implementation?
Perhaps this is the way to go …
Attract those completing Implementation E-Learning courses to join and participate
Broaden the community of informed and interested people
Facilitate shared development of a broader understanding backed up by practical experience related to implementation
Discuss different approaches to implementation
Share experience of best practice and known issues
Develop new ideas and refine existing ideas to stimulate innovative approaches to known requirements
Inform IHTSDO about ideas emerging from the group

6. Proposed Mission of the Group
To identify barriers to implementation that can be addressed by open discussion in an international group of people with a shared interest in SNOMED CT implementation
To bring forward and develop ideas that encourage and support SNOMED CT implementation by addressing barriers, demonstrating practical approaches and enhancing benefits
To become the natural place for Implementation Course Alumni to get together and discuss aspects of SNOMED CT implementation

7. Connections to IHTSDO / SNOMED International
Formal link
A Management Team member (or a member of staff directly involved in an implementation related line of business) should act a the primary contact between the group and the organization
Collaborative Space
IHTSDO has provided the group with a collaborative space on Confluence to coordinate its work
Note some recordings are still being transferred
Teleconferences
The group would continue to be provided with GotoMeeting access for teleconference meetings
Face-to-Face meetings
If the business case is strong and the meeting will be well attended face-to-face meetings may be held. This will need to be discussed via the primary contact to allow a decision to be made.

8. Allergies and other Specific Work Items
The work the SIG has done on allergies in 2015 is greatly appreciated
However, we should try to avoid the group becoming almost exclusively focused on narrow (albeit important) topic
In future, special topics like this should be handled in a way that allows more general discussion and activity on implementation topics to continue
Exactly how that can be managed depends on the topic and the level of enthusiasm in the group
Possibilities include sub-groups … but this needs consideration on a case-by-case basis

9. Implementation Webinars
The SIG has provided a great service in the past by hosting webinars
If the group is prepared to continue this it would be good
The group and the E-Learning team should consider options for synergy
Attendance at live Implementation Webinars could supplement Implementation Course involvement
Presenters of suitable Implementation Webinars could be invited to present similar material as an E-Learning presentation for inclusion in future courses
E-Learning Course presentation could identify recordings of relevant live webinar presentations that may be of interest to course participants
… other ideas welcome …
In this presentation, we have explored nine terms that are used when talking about reference sets, and explained how each of these terms differ.
A subset is a set whose members are all contained in another set.
A reference set is an RF2 file format used to distribute SNOMED CT and it contains references to SNOMED CT components.
A value set is a set of concept representations from one or more code systems, that usually exists in the context of an information model or healthcare standard.
Extensional means that it’s defined by enumeration, and intensional means that it is defined using a query.
The SNOMED CT content over which this query is run is called the Substrate, and the result of running the query over the particular substrate is called the expansion.
The term ‘reference set member’ refers to a whole row of a reference set, while the referenced component is the SNOMED CT concept, description or relationship whose identifier appears in the referencedComponentId field.

10. Should the Name of the Group Change
A name change is not essential but has been suggested as part of the reset to the group’s missing
Most other SIGs are now health specialty groups
The roles of this group is distinct and perhaps should be recognized in a new name
Suggested new names are welcome!

11. Finding a New Co-Chair
The group needs as leadership group of at least two people to coordinate its activities (perhaps 3)
Volunteers to support Amy in her role as Chair are would be welcome
If the general direction set out in this presentation is supported then we will also look to people in the pilot Implementation Course intake who may be willing to assist

12. Next Steps and Formal Status
If the ideas in this presentation are supported by the group, the Management Team will suggest the revised approach to the Management Board and seek approval to formalize these changes