SNO-PT - D2.1 - SNOMED CT awareness raising, education and training report

The implementation of the Portugal SNOMED International membership (SNO-PT) project has delivered substantial improvements in the quality of health data through the adoption of standardized terminology for medical conditions, procedures, medications, and other clinical and administrative concepts. This standardization ensures consistent understanding and interpretation of health information across diverse healthcare systems and geographic regions, enhancing data quality and ultimately improving healthcare services for the public. To fulfil the objectives defined in the Grant Agreement (GA), an awareness raising, training and education plan was elaborated for the SNO-PT project. This plan laid the foundation for the successful implementation of a variety of communication, dissemination and training activities. The creation of a brand strategy for the SNO-PT project strengthened these efforts by creating a unified framework that comprised target group definitions, a clear vision, mission, and values, as well as the establishment of a distinct brand name and visual identity for this project. This plan included the creation of a project webpage and standardized document templates to ensure uniform communication and professional presentation across all project resources.The efforts undertaken as part of WP2 for awareness raising, training, and education activities have yielded significant progress in disseminating key information and building capacity to support the adoption and use of SNOMED CT in Portugal. It surpassed the initial expected indicator of organizing one initiative by successfully delivering nine different activities, while managing limited resources. The development of a dedicated webpage, together with the creation and distribution of project leaflets, was essential to provide the target audience with accessible and useful resources. These resources helped to raise awareness among end users about the major benefits of SNOMED CT and the impact of the SNO-PT project. This information can also be leveraged to continue promoting awareness regarding the SNOMED CT benefits. The creation of a comprehensive Support Manual for the National Catalogue of Laboratory Analysis (CPAL) was a pivotal achievement. Designed as a scalable training and dissemination tool, the manual was distributed to participants via email, ensuring wide accessibility. This resource served to streamline the onboarding process and support the training of users tasked with managing the implementation of CPAL and, by extension, the integration of SNOMED CT. Its role in providing consistent, reliable guidance has been critical in equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of these systems effectively. Additionally, the project achieved considerable success in promoting direct engagement and active participation through two oral communications. These meetings provided significant opportunities for information sharing, dialogue, and collaboration among stakeholders, resulting in a better understanding of SNOMED CT applications and benefits. In addition to these efforts, three training sessions were held, greatly improving the capabilities of the teams in charge of overseeing SNOMED CT implementation in Portugal. Together, these activities have significantly contributed to raising awareness, fostering education, and empowering end users to effectively leverage SNOMED CT within healthcare systems. By successfully disseminating crucial information about SNOMED CT and its application in Portugal, these initiatives have not only raised awareness but also contributed to building capacity within the healthcare sector. This positions Portugal as a leader in the adoption of SNOMED CT terminology.The impact of these efforts will continue to support ongoing engagement and collaboration, ensuring lasting impact and sustained knowledge transfer. Additionally, the SNO-PT 2 project will help to ensure sustainability of SNOMED CT usage of Portugal, by supporting the co-funding of SNOMED CT International membership renewal for 2025, 2026 and 2027.