CONCEPT DICTIONARY MANAGEMENT Concept Dictionary -This is the fundamental building block of Open MRS. -It contains concepts which are questions and answers/responses. -It also indicates the concept IDs, concept names, attributes.

Concept Best Practices 1.Concept Creation: Before creating a concept, one should do a validation check to ensure that the concept does NOT exist and in so doing AVOID creating duplicate concepts in the same locale.

2.Concept Mapping: This is the process of identifying concepts that EXIST in the dictionary and CONFIRM that they are similar to the questions/answers on the paper form. -The confirmation process involves: Search the dictionary using different names with the same meaning, or with similar names and confirm if the description suits the concept on the paper form. Looking at the concept details and description and compare them with those of the concepts on the paper form. It also includes involving the requestor to confirm that the concepts existing in the dictionary are similar to those on the paper form. NOTE: Ensure that the requestor agrees to use the existing concepts and that it meets their intended purpose of the concept.

3.Concept requirements: There are several items that are required for a concept to be created. a)Name: -Have the full name of the concept indicated, and NOT a duplicate. - Do NOT use abbreviations unless they are universally known e.g. ARVs, pH - The name should represent the concept well and should NOT include jargons - It should follow the same name coding structure for consistency (Capital letters, clear description) b)Synonym: -Should be terms that are common, scientific, jargons that relate to the concept. -You can also include acronyms that are mostly used. -Include local spellings for terms according to the place of use.

b)Description: -It should be clear and complete. - Include dictionary meaning if possible. -Also use other sources to get definitions e.g. MVP dictionary, Medical Dictionaries online, google- wikipedia. *But CONFIRM with the requestors to ensure that the description matches the definition of the concept.