SNOMED CT is a terminology based on what?

SNOMED CT, or the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine -- Clinical Terms, is fundamentally built around the concept of "concepts." It is a comprehensive clinical terminology that provides a standardized way to represent clinical phrases and health information. Each concept in SNOMED CT is designed to represent a clinical idea, such as diseases, findings, procedures, and other health-related subjects, in a structured manner.

The use of "concept" is crucial because it allows for precise definitions and relationships between terms, facilitating accurate data exchange and interoperability among healthcare systems. While procedures, diagnoses, and symptoms are all important components of clinical practice, they are subsets of the broader category of concepts. This terminology structure supports clinicians in understanding and utilizing health information effectively, ensuring consistency and reliability in electronic health records and health information systems.