Applying the SNOMED CT Concept Model to Represent Value Sets for Head and Neck Cancer Documentation

This paper presents an analysis of the extent to which SNOMED CT is suitable for representing data within the domain of head and neck cancer. In this analysis we assess whether the concept model of SNOMED CT comply with the documentation needed within this clinical domain. Attributes from the follow-up template of the clinical quality registry for Danish Head and Neck Cancer, and their respective value sets were mapped to SNOMED CT using existing mapping guidelines. Results show that post-coordination is important to represent specific types of value sets, such as absence of findings and severities. The concept model of SNOMED CT was found suitable for representing the value sets of this material. We argue for the development of further mapping guidelines for consistent post-coordination and for initiatives that demonstrate use of this important terminological feature in actual SNOMED CT implementations.