Educational Needs and Level of Knowledge in Standard Healthcare Terminology Use in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Survey

This study aimed to investigate the experience, knowledge, and educational needs regarding standard healthcare terminologies-specifically Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT), Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC), and the International Classification of Diseases/Korean Classification of Diseases (ICD/KCD)-among professionals in the clinical, industrial, and academic sectors in Korea.

A descriptive survey was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed between November 21 and December 5, 2023. The questionnaire included items on participants' experiences with, self-reported knowledge of, and educational needs for standard terminologies. A total of 325 responses were analyzed.

Participants reported the highest levels of experience and knowledge with ICD/KCD, whereas knowledge of SNOMED CT and LOINC was relatively low. Statistically significant differences in knowledge were observed across professional groups (p < 0.05), with terminology experts reporting higher levels than others. Educational needs were greatest for ICD/KCD and SNOMED CT, particularly in data collection and use case application. The most frequently cited barriers to adopting standard terminologies were a lack of training programs, the cost and time required for training, and the structural complexity of the terminologies.

These findings underscore the importance of customized and systematic educational strategies to promote the use of standard terminologies. Policy-level support, standardized training materials, and the preparation of qualified trainers are essential to enhance semantic interoperability and data utilization in Korean healthcare.