1. Modelling Clinical Information Using UML
Tim Benson
Abies Ltd
HL7 UK 2003 (c) Abies Ltd

2. Overview
Show how UML class diagrams add value to the HL7 v3 development process
Focus is on detailed Requirements specification and data element definitions (Glossary)
HL7 UK 2003 (c) Abies Ltd

3. The Problem HL7 v3 is a foreign language to clinicians
HL7 RMIMs are specialised tools for developing healthcare message XML schemas
Not suited for capturing requirements
Formal class names based on structural attributes
Small number of common attribute names based on the RIM
Pre-defined Data Types and Vocabulary
HL7 UK 2003 (c) Abies Ltd

4. The Solution Specify message requirements in detail using:
Visual data modelling (UML class diagrams)
Glossary - detailed definition of every data item in context
Then map to HL7 RMIM
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5. Iterative Development
HL7 is concerned with the whole process - not just drafting documents
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6. Phases
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7. HL7 Message Development Framework (MDF) 1999
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8. What is a model? Two sorts of model: Always a simplification
To describe the real world
Can never be “right”
To design and build things
Specification
Always a simplification
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9. Models and Diagrams Model is all information in a project
Model may include Glossary
Model is much more than a collection of diagrams
Each diagram is just one view on a Model
Most models contain dozens of diagrams
HL7 UK 2003 (c) Abies Ltd

10. Real World Models
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11. Specification Models
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12. OMG MOF (meta object facility)
M3 meta-metamodel
M2 meta-model, meta-metadata (languages)
M1 model, meta-data (standards)
M0 data (systems)
HL7 UK 2003 (c) Abies Ltd

13. Matrix Base standards (M3) UML XML HL7 architecture (M2) Vocabulary
RIM
DataTypes
Specification
(M1)
Requirement
RMIM
HMD
XML Schema
Testing
Use (M0)
Operation
HL7 UK 2003 (c) Abies Ltd

14. UML Unified Modelling Language Mandated in e-GIF
OMG standard UML
Version
UML
MDA Model Driven Architecture
XMI (XML Metadata Interchange)
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15. Modelling Clinical Information using UML - Tim Benson
11 December 2003
UML Diagrams
12 Diagram Types
Class diagram
Activity diagram
Sequence diagram
State-chart diagram
Use case diagram
HL7 UK 2003 (c) Abies Ltd
(c) Abies Ltd

16. UML Notation Classes and Attributes
Association (Composition and Aggregation)
Specialisation
Multiplicities (optionality)
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17. Composition
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18. Aggregation
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19. Specialisation
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20. Navigation
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21. Healthcare Party
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22. Attributes
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23. Patients and Healthcare Parties
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24. Healthcare Document Structure
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25. Clinical Information Complexes
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26. Headings and Problem Lists
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27. Clinical Statements
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28. Clinical Information Items
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29. Modelling Clinical Information using UML - Tim Benson
11 December 2003
Conclusions
Health Information is complex, but not impossibly complex
This paper has illustrated a few high level patterns
UML and XML provide complementary sets of tools
HL7 UK 2003 (c) Abies Ltd
(c) Abies Ltd