Relevance of Data Dictionary

Answer

Relevance of Data Dictionary

A data dictionary is a tool that contains a set of information which describes what kind of data is collected or rather sourced to a database, moreover, it examines the data’s structure, format, and how the data is utilized. In reference to this definition, a data dictionary is often referred to as the rules or guidelines in which data within an organisation system has to abide by (John,et.al, 2015). For instance, if all system within the same body produces that which follows the same rules, then the system would be said to have achieved semantic interoperability.

In a typical data dictionary representation, the information contained includes; a list of names, data elements to be captured in the system, and definitions. However, all the arrangement should be organised in a way that facilitates metadata; this is a way to organize data at its basic level and is useful in distilling or rather selecting specific data from larger amounts of data. Metadata use is highly relevant due to the increasing availability of extensive information due to the increased utilization of advanced health information systems such as the electronic medical records (Nadinia, 238). This is because when such systems are used, they gather so much information which could be rendered useless unless it is processed and analysed dependably.

In the creation of data dictionaries, federal standards that support HIE practices are considered. This is because it is believed that the increase in HIE will lead to a need for more appropriate information transmission and recording. This has stressed the need to have good data dictionaries because if well prepared; a data dictionary can improve the dependability and reliability of an organization's data, improve documentation, reduce redundancy, and ease the process of analysing data for use in decision-making regarding evidence-based care and practise(Kirby,et.al, 2016).

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How to explain data dictionary information

A data dictionary uses terminologies that could be difficult to be understood by a person who is not conversant with it, more so, a person who is not familiar with electronic recording of health information. Therefore, the typically modelled data dictionary that is used in health system must be simplified for easy analysis. Therefore, as a first step in achieving data simplicity for others to understand, the information contained in the data dictionary has to be normalised first. This will help in achieving compliance as required by healthy practice. Normalised data could be understood by many healthcare professionals as it is assumed to be the simplest and the most basic form of electronic data.

In oral explanation, one has to be informed about the terminologies used in the data dictionary and their meanings. Next, one has to learn about the maps that relate the terminologies in the data dictionary. This will help the person be able to understand the relationship that exists between various fields in the data dictionary. In the case synonyms have been used, the data dictionary should be made in a way that allows quick identification of the synonym through reference to the synonym library provider.

In the case where the data dictionary information proves to be difficult to understand, a simplified document created in Word format could be used. This could be either a table or graph that links data table information more directly. The word template will be easier to understand because of the similarity it has with the manual way of representing data. Therefore, it will be understood much more easily as compared to the data dictionary.