10. SNOMED CT browsers

SNOMED CT Browsers are software applications or tools used for searching, navigating, viewing and reviewing terminology content. For NRCs that want users and potential users to increase and enhance their knowledge of SNOMED CT, it can be a good idea to make a SNOMED CT browser freely available.

A typical browser can locate concepts and descriptions by searching the text of descriptions (terms) or by entering SNOMED CT identifiers. Browsers may also provide a way to navigate the SNOMED CT hierarchies. Browsers may display views of various artifacts including the set of related descriptions, the hierarchical relationships and other defining relationships of a concept.

A variety of different SNOMED CT browsers are available online, as downloadable applications or as web-based applications. But a Member can also choose to develop its own SNOMED CT browser and make it available for national users. This is especially relevant if national customized SNOMED CT content is developed and should be browsable, such as translations, Reference sets, etc. An NRC may download and install for national use the IHTSDO open source browser. As this is open source, it is also possible to add functionality to it. If an NRC does this, its contribution of the components back into the open source repository may be highly beneficial for all Members.

On the IHTSDO webpage on SNOMED CT Browsers, IHTSDO provides a list of the different types of browsers available. It is possible to add items to this list if you are aware of other browsers that are not included. Browsers are eligible for inclusion in the list if they are freely accessible software applications that provide searchable access to SNOMED CT.

On the SNOMED CT Browser webpage it is also possible to access the SNOMED CT Members' Browser Requirements document, which presents a set of requirements for a SNOMED CT browsers as identified and prioritized by IHTSDO Members. IHTSDO Members may wish to make previews and releases of their National Editions (i.e. International Release + National Extension) available for review by stakeholders in their country. The shared understanding of required functionality outlined in this document is the first step towards ensuring widespread availability of browsers that meet these requirements.

• The IHTSDO Browser can be found here: http://browser.ihtsdotools.org.
• SNOMED CT Members' Browser Requirements can be found here: http://snomed.org/MemberBrowserReq
• An overview of some other SNOMED CT browsers can be found here: http://snomed.org/browsers
• Licensing conditions for use of online SNOMED CT browsers can be found here: http://snomed.org/browserlicenseguidance