Stream: new zealand
Topic: NZ Ethnicity Terminology
Brett Esler (Dec 07 2016 at 00:39):
A query from across the ditch - is there a NZ patient ethnicity valueset published ?- Ideally from a FHIR server ;)
Nate Walker (Dec 07 2016 at 00:52):
I do remember having a chat with @David Hay about this and an Iwi valueset as well. I wonder if it has progressed at all?
David Hay (Dec 07 2016 at 00:52):
There will be a set of values - but not in a ValueSet format (yet). Why do you ask?
Peter Jordan (Dec 07 2016 at 01:15):
The latest release of the Patients First Terminology Service (Terminz) contains a Code System and Value Set Resource for each of the 4 levels of NZ Ethnicity Codes. Take a look at...
http://its.patientsfirst.org.nz/RestService.svc/Terminz/CodeSystem
http://its.patientsfirst.org.nz/RestService.svc/Terminz/ValueSet
Level 4...http://its.patientsfirst.org.nz/RestService.svc/Terminz/ValueSet/NzEthnicityL4 is now the preferred level for endpoint systems to capture ethnicity, and is required to interact with the Patient Identity (NHI) Web Services. However, there will be a concept map that translates to and from Levels 2, 3 and 4 (I'm working on that at the moment).
Iwi and Hapu Code System and Value Set resources will follow at some stage.
David Hay (Dec 07 2016 at 01:18):
I stand corrected!
Peter Jordan (Dec 07 2016 at 01:27):
My fault, as I wasn't proposing to announce the new release until the Concept Map is finished. It also contains the latest release of NZULM/NZMT AND the Read to SNOMED CT Concept Map (NZREAD_SCT) that's been approved by HISO and published on our National Release Centre.
I should also provide some brief context around the various levels of Ethnicity Codes.
Level 1 - 1 digit - rarely used
Level 2 - 2 digits - used predominantly in primary care, until use of the NHI Web Services was mandated by the National Enrolment Service
Level 3- 3 digits - used in secondary care - but will be superseded by level 4 when hospital systems implement the new NHI Web Services
Level4 - 5 digits - the latest, and greatest, used to support up to 6 ethnicities per patient!
Brett Esler (Dec 07 2016 at 01:32):
thanks! I am contemplating NZ requirements at the moment around GP data; but also thinking of SMART of FHIR/CDS-hooks use around preventative care and disease management.
Nate Walker (Dec 07 2016 at 01:35):
So as someone dealing in primary care, how would we work through that? Allow the GP to filter down through the layers, choosing the level of detail they want? Or just make them search through L4?
Nate Walker (Dec 07 2016 at 01:36):
also, @Peter Jordan in L4 Bosnian is only 4 digits ;)
Peter Jordan (Dec 07 2016 at 01:49):
Thanks for spotting that @Nate Walker the correct Level 4 code for Bosnian should be 12516! My advice to anyone developing new software for use in the NZ primary care market would be to present Ethnicity at Level 4 only as that's what's required by the NHI which, as the web services are being rolled out, is becoming the 'single source of truth' for patient demographic data.
Michael Hosking (Feb 03 2020 at 04:49):
Hi @Peter Jordan and @David Hay ,
I'm interested to learn more views on whether the current NZ Ethnicity Codes (listed above) are sufficient/future proof (ie. machine-readable)?
The reason I ask is that Canada have developed an EthnicityCode ValueSet using SNOMED CT CA
https://fhir.infoway-inforoute.ca/ValueSet/ethnicitycode
David Hay (Feb 03 2020 at 04:59):
@Michael Hosking - is that the right url? I get a 404 ...
Michael Hosking (Feb 03 2020 at 05:01):
Apologies, try:
https://tgateway.infoway-inforoute.ca/vs/ethnicitycode
You'll need an Infoway login
Peter Jordan (Feb 03 2020 at 05:02):
Yes, these codes are machine-readable - available on some terminology servers (including mine) and very well-established in NZ EHR systems. The NHI has moved to use NZ Level 4 Ethnicity Codes and I would imagine that there would be massive pushback against any attempt to replace them with an alternative terminology. An interesting possibility might be to map them to SNOMED CT codes for cross-domain/border purposes. Note well that ethnicity (self-determined) and race are totally separate concepts.
Michael Hosking (Feb 03 2020 at 05:04):
Good to know, thanks @Peter Jordan
(hope WGM is going well, jealous that I'm not there...sounds nerdy but I do feel like I'm missing out!)
Last updated: Apr 12 2022 at 19:14 UTC
