F.6 Information structure and design Flashcards
Appraise the structure and design of health information in different use contexts.
What does the term ‘appraise’ mean in the context of health informatics?
To evaluate the worth, significance, or status of health information structures and designs
‘Evaluate’ suggests determining relative or intrinsic worth in non-monetary terms.
What must health informaticians determine regarding health information structures and designs?
They must determine:
* Fit for particular use cases
* Which alternatives are more advantageous for specific use cases
What is data design in software engineering?
The first of a series of design activities leading to a model of a system or product
It follows an analysis of requirements.
What are data objects in the context of data design?
Data entities or concepts with common properties stored and operated upon during software program execution
Examples include actors, roles, and events.
What are attributes in data design?
Descriptions of the properties of data objects
Examples include first name, last name, date of birth, and gender.
What do relationships in data design describe?
How different data objects may be associated or related to their attributes
What are data types in data design?
Specific categorizations of data, such as:
* Alphanumeric
* Date/time
* Time-series
What are data structures in data design?
Specific ways of organizing data in computer programs for efficient and effective use
What is the significance of ‘different use contexts’ in health informatics?
Relates to the uses of data and technicalities of software programming
Fill in the blank: A ‘stack’ is a data structure that operates on a ______ method.
last in, first out (LIFO)
Fill in the blank: A ‘queue’ is a data structure that operates on a ______ method.
first in, first out (FIFO)
What does ‘fitness for purpose’ mean in health informatics?
Evaluating the intrinsic or relative fitness for the purposes of health information
What are some characteristics associated with fitness for purpose?
- Provenance
- Institutional environment
- Relevance
- Completeness and validity
- Timeliness
- Accuracy and precision
- Coherence
- Interpretability
- Accessibility
What does ‘provenance’ refer to in health information?
Documentation of the origin and processes by which information was produced
What does the institutional environment influence in health information?
Effectiveness and credibility of the entity generating the information
What does ‘relevance’ mean in the context of health information?
How well the information meets the needs of its users
What is the difference between completeness and validity in health information?
Completeness refers to presence of information; validity refers to conformance to specifications
What does ‘timeliness’ refer to in health information?
Duration between the reference period and the date the data becomes available
What do accuracy and precision measure in health information?
Accuracy measures correctness; precision measures consistency of measurement
What does ‘coherence’ refer to in health information?
Internal consistency and comparability with other sources of information
What is ‘interpretability’ in health information?
The extent to which users can understand information appropriately and unambiguously
What does ‘accessibility’ refer to in health information?
Ease of discovery and access to information by users
What is a common issue with data quality in various industries?
Nearly half of newly-created data records have at least one critical error
What is a key step in appraising health information?
Confirming and validating different use contexts
What is involved in the analysis of data needs?
Considering context, capability, and data functionality
Fill in the blank: New data design begins when existing data does not meet identified ______.
needs
What should be documented during the data specification process?
Data items should be named, defined, and their attributes documented as metadata
What does the appraisal process involve regarding design characteristics?
Assessing metadata availability, construction quality, regulatory compliance, and data types
What is the final step in the appraisal of health information?
Assessing whether the information satisfies the needs of all existing and potential users
What does FIFO stand for in data processing?
First In, First Out
FIFO is a method used to manage the order of operations in data structures like queues.
What is a key characteristic of the FIFO processing method?
The first person who has been waiting the longest is seen next
This method is commonly used in queue data structures.
In the context of a triage system, what does the FIFO method ensure?
Patients are seen in the order they arrived
Ensures fairness and efficiency in patient management.
Which data structure is consistent with the FIFO processing method?
Queue
A queue operates on the principle of first in, first out.
What should be done with the oldest vial of vaccine in a medical clinic according to FIFO?
It should be used first
This maximizes stock turnover before the use-by dates.
What does LIFO stand for in data processing?
Last In, First Out
LIFO is used to manage operations in data structures like stacks.
In a clinical decision support application, which screen should be displayed next using LIFO?
The previous screen displayed
This method retrieves the last item added to the stack.
What is assessed when evaluating design characteristics of data?
Metadata availability, construction quality, compliance with regulations, and data types
These factors determine the effectiveness and usability of the information.
What is one criterion for assessing the usage of information?
Satisfaction of the needs of all existing and potential users
Ensures that the information is relevant and useful.
Fill in the blank: The _____ processing method is consistent with the queue data structure.
FIFO
Fill in the blank: The _____ processing method is consistent with the stack data structure.
LIFO
