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Nicholas R Hardiker

Publications and source records attributed to Nicholas R Hardiker.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Requirements of tools and techniques to support the entry of structured nursing data.

The benefits of structured data are widely accepted within the nursing informatics community. However, despite the existence of structured data in the form of well-established nursing terminologies, computer-based nursing record systems are yet to achieve widespread adoption and few of the potential benefits have yet to be realized. In this paper we argue the need for tools and techniques to support the entry of structured nursing data into computer-based systems. In the absence of a generally accepted solution, we build on preliminary work carried out at the 2002 Nursing Terminology Summit and analyze the results of other studies in order to identify a preliminary set of requirements or desiderata for such tools and techniques. These requirements are centered on: how structured data is presented to users for selection; how to mediate between a variety of conceptual structures--terminologies, information models, user interface models and models of the clinical process; and how to reduce the considerable modeling burden through reuse of modeling constructs. Further applied research is needed with the ultimate goal of developing a general solution that will benefit nurses, other professionals and ultimately their patients.

Data Collection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determining sources for formal nursing terminology systems.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the relative merits of aspects--labels or informal definitions--of traditional nursing terminology systems as the foundational sources for target formal nursing terminology systems. DESIGN: This study builds upon and compares the findings of two previous experiments in which formal terminology systems, one based on informal definitions, the other based on labels, were developed under the GALEN approach and used to generate hierarchies of nursing interventions drawn from the Nursing Interventions Classification. MEASUREMENTS: The two generated hierarchies were compared to see whether, and to what extent, they captured a test set of hierarchical relationships implicit within and derived from the Nursing Interventions Classification. An analysis of the relevant conceptual representations was carried out in those cases where a hierarchical relationship from the test set was absent from either of the generated hierarchies. RESULTS: The hierarchy generated from the formal terminology system based on informal definitions contained none of the test set of hierarchical relationships. Reasons included structural differences between conceptual representations; different levels of specificity; and deficiencies within the formal terminology system itself. The hierarchy generated from the formal terminology system based on labels contained all but one of the test set. The reason for the one absence was inconsistent usage within source and target. CONCLUSIONS: While it may be possible to derive formal terminology systems from informal definitions for nursing interventions, the inherent complexity within those informal definitions brings into question the utility of such systems. This study demonstrates that it may be more productive to base formal nursing terminology systems on labels, simpler sources with limited discursive content and a higher degree of consistency.

Computational Biology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Formal nursing terminology systems: a means to an end.

In response to the need to support diverse and complex information requirements, nursing has developed a number of different terminology systems. The two main kinds of systems that have emerged are enumerative systems and combinatorial systems, although some systems have characteristics of both approaches. Differences in the structure and content of terminology systems, while useful at a local level, prevent effective wider communication, information sharing, integration of record systems, and comparison of nursing elements of healthcare information at a more global level. Formal nursing terminology systems present an alternative approach. This paper describes a number of recent initiatives and explains how these emerging approaches may help to augment existing nursing terminology systems and overcome their limitations through mediation. The development of formal nursing terminology systems is not an end in itself and there remains a great deal of work to be done before success can be claimed. This paper presents an overview of the key issues outstanding and provides recommendations for a way forward.

Information Systems↗