Table 1 Definitions of FAIR principles and the semantic and syntactic interoperability layers including ontologies, terminologies, and respective references (Ref.).
Name (Abbreviation) | Definition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
FAIR Data Principles | Designed to improve the automated discovery and usability of data by machines while facilitating its reuse by individuals (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). | |
Interoperability | The ability of different systems, applications, or devices to connect and communicate in a coordinated manner without requiring effort from the end user. | |
Syntactic Interoperability | The ability of systems to communicate through compatible formats and protocols, such as JSON files, a format for sharing data in key-value pairs and arrays using human-readable text. | |
Semantic Interoperability | Ensures a shared and precise interpretation of (medical) data. Uniform data structuring and coding within ontologies, terminologies, and classifications enhance machine-to-machine communication, improving accuracy and outcomes. | |
Terminologies | A specific vocabulary used in healthcare communication, information exchange and documentation aspects, encompassing a set of preferred or official terms, whether as a systematic nomenclature supported by a centralized body or as common usage within a specific community of practice. | |
Ontologies | A controlled terminology with semantic relationships between concepts and a description logic for computational readability, provides formal and explicit representations of concepts and relationships within an area of healthcare to facilitate the organisation, integration, and exchange of knowledge across healthcare systems and applications. |
