Conception and Development of a Metadata Search Portal Based on the Data Dictionary Minimal Information Model (DDMIM) Specification

Abstract

Introduction: The heterogeneity of metadata continues to be a key challenge in the healthcare sector. The Data Dictionary Minimal Information Model (DDMIM) aims to meet the need for interoperability between different standards and data dictionaries to facilitate the exchange of metadata. Objective: This paper presents the conception, and the development of a metadata search portal based on the DDMIM specification, designed to improve the discoverability and accessibility of health datasets and enhance interoperability. Methods: We conducted a literature review of existing metadata repositories to select potentially relevant ones for further work. A mapping was created to transform metadata from different MDRs into the DDMIM format. In parallel, the requirements for a prototype search portal are being evaluated, which integrates metadata from various public repositories. Results: The results show that a DDMIM-based search portal can effectively integrate heterogeneous metadata sources and improve the finding of health datasets. Discussion: Such a portal supports the integration of heterogeneous metadata sources and ensures compliance with FAIR principles to optimize the use of health data for research and clinical applications. It is therefore of great importance to address the existing challenges in the field of medical data integration and utilization.