Semantic common data model

The Semantic Common Data Model (SCDM) is a technology-agnostic, semantically rich, fully attributed data model that organizes and standardizes health data concepts and how they relate to each other and to the real world. This model is integrated with the Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework’s Data Elements and Terminologies and will be a foundational component for data management and data exchange. The model is designed to support future development while still reflecting current real-world scenarios.

This is a common data model that provides a comprehensive foundation to specify how data is organized and represented across the health care continuum. It promotes data integrity and quality by establishing common rules and constraints. The holistic scope of the model will contribute to better patient care by enabling implementation of standardized, comprehensive health records.

The shared language established by the model, in conjunction with the Business Glossary, will enable a mutual understanding of data and will standardize data management, analytics and interoperability. The simplification and reuse of data management and analytical practices can foster cost reduction and increased efficiency.

The audiences for the semantic common data model are decision-makers, policy-makers, researchers, staff at health care institutions, IT staff, clinical solution vendor technical staff, experts involved in standards development and data architecture, software developers and those interested in e-health and digital health modernization initiatives, as well as anyone who would like more information about the Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework.

An environmental scan was conducted on existing health standards produced by Canadian organizations, international organizations and various other health authorities. A model structure was established that contains key concepts from those standards, which are also documented in the Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework’s Data Elements and Terminologies, on which the model is based. The model’s structure was validated by internal and external stakeholders and was iteratively refined based on the feedback received.

The model strives to reflect both the current realities of Canada’s health care systems and how they could be improved upon in a future ideal state. It remains technology-agnostic, with the inclusion of only generic data types and business metadata. Technical attributes, such as primary and foreign keys to link tables and databases, were not included; implementors will need to add further detail as required by their physical systems.

Flexibility: Establish a common data model that can be further specialized based on individual needs.

Consistency: Provide coherent, non-contradictory representation of data through model classes, attributes, relationships, rules, value sets and metadata.

Simplicity: Design to facilitate clear understanding and easy adoption.

Abstraction: Manage the level of abstraction that is required to properly represent classes, relationships and other model elements.

Clear definitions: Develop definitions that promote common understanding and facilitate proper adoption. Definitions of modelled information are fully documented in the Business Glossary.

Evolution: Design with agility and scalability in mind, using techniques such as inheritance to seamlessly add new attributes.

Accuracy and traceability: Provide up-to-date, comprehensive documentation and metadata to ensure common correct understanding of the modelled information, its context and supporting use cases.

Selecting a diagram/class

1. Navigate to the list of subject areas underneath this section.
2. Select the subject area of interest to view more details.
3. Once on the specific subject area page, click “Go to the diagram” to explore an interactive HTML page or click a class to view that concept in more detail.

On each class page, there will be:

Class

1. Class: Name of the class detailed on the page
2. Class (Abstract): Identifies superclasses that are not to be instantiated
3. Class Note: A description of the class to aid understanding
4. Appears in: List of all diagrams in which the class appears
5. Class Constraints
   • Unique keys: Unique business keys for each class are identified via constraints. Classes that have only a technical key (e.g., Record ID) will not have a documented unique key.
   • Other constraints (e.g., XOR)
6. Class Stereotype
   • Catalog: Identifies classes which represent externally managed, stable or slowly changing sets of reference information

Attributes

1. Attribute: Name of the attribute associated with the class
2. Type: The technology-agnostic SCDM data type of the attribute
3. Multiplicity: The lower and upper bound of how many instances of the attribute are possible in one instance of the class
4. Attribute Note: A description of the attribute to aid understanding, including value set(s) associated with codeable concept attributes

Relationships

1. From Class: The class from which the relationship originates
2. From Multiplicity: The lower and upper bound of how many instances of the from class may participate in the relationship
3. Relationship: The name of the relationship being detailed
4. To Class: The class to which the relationship connects
5. To Multiplicity: The lower and upper bound of how many instances of the to class may participate in the relationship

Stage of maturity	Definition
Future development	Artifact is planned
0: In development	Artifact is a work in progress
1: Draft	Artifact incorporates input from experts
2: Proposed	Artifact has been through at least one round of open public review or is based on an established Canadian or international standard (e.g., IPS, USCDI, AUCDI or equivalent)
3: Ready for use	Artifact is ready for use

Diagram name	Maturity level
Address and Location	2: Proposed
Allergy and Intolerance	2: Proposed
Appointment	1: Draft
Assessment	1: Draft
Care Team	1: Draft
Clinical Documentation and Annotation	2: Proposed
Contact Mechanism	2: Proposed
Drug	2: Proposed
Encounter	1: Draft
Episode of Care	1: Draft
Family History	2: Proposed
Geography	2: Proposed
Health Care Provider	2: Proposed
Health Care Provider HHR	2: Proposed
Health Care Service	2: Proposed
Health Care Service Event	2: Proposed
Health Event	2: Proposed
Immunization	2: Proposed
Information Life Cycle Event	1: Draft
Laboratory Test Result Reporting	1: Draft
Laboratory Test Observation and Specimen Transportation	1: Draft
Medical Device and Equipment	1: Draft
Medical Imagining Reporting	1: Draft
Medication Request, Administration	2: Proposed
Medication Statement	2: Proposed
Observation	2: Proposed
Organization Information	2: Proposed
Patient Consent	0: In Development
Patient Health Concern	2: Proposed
Perinatal Health	1: Draft
Person Information	2: Proposed
Procedure	2: Proposed
Provenance	1: Draft
Service Request	1: Draft
Social Determinants of Health Assessment	2: Proposed
Substance Use	2: Proposed
Vital Signs	2: Proposed

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The following resources were referenced in the creation of the semantic common data model and business context model:

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