title: The role of compositionality in standardized problem list generation.
abstract: Compositionality is the ability of a Vocabulary System to record non-atomic strings. In this manuscript we define the types of composition, which can occur. We will then propose methods for both server based and client-based composition. We will differentiate the terms Pre-Coordination, Post-Coordination, and User-Directed Coordination. A simple grammar for the recording of terms with concept level identification will be presented, with examples from the Unified Medical Language System's (UMLS) Metathesaurus. We present an implementation of a Window's NT based client application and a remote Internet Based Vocabulary Server, which makes use of this method of compositionality. Finally we will suggest a research agenda which we believe is necessary to move forward toward a more complete understanding of compositionality. This work has the promise of paving the way toward a robust and complete Problem List Entry Tool.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Foundation, USA.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Elkin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tuttle
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keck
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Atkin
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Chute
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration; D008501:Medical Records, Problem-Oriented; D009323:Natural Language Processing; D011381:Programming Languages; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018875:Vocabulary, Controlled