UMLS® BasicsClass Description | Agenda1 day Class Description This class is only taught by NLM Personnel and is only held at the National Library of Medicine, in Bethesda. This 8-hour, hands-on course introduces NLM's Unified Medical Language System® (UMLS®): what it is and how it is used. Students gain an understanding of the 3 main components, or knowledge sources: the Metathesaurus, the Semantic Network, and the SPECIALIST Lexicon— what these are and how these and related tools are used in a variety of biomedical applications and research. A broad overview of the 100-plus source vocabularies contained in the Metathesaurus is provided. Criteria for assessing the usefulness of specific controlled vocabularies for clinical, research, and educational purposes are discussed. The online UMLS® Knowledge Source Server (UMLSKS) is used to access UMLS® data throughout the class. Hands-on exercises allow students to practice basic and advanced searching skills. Some experience is provided with software called MetamorphoSys and how it can be applied to produce customized local versions of the Metathesaurus useful for particular applications. The audience are those medical librarians interested in medical informatics who desire an introduction to the UMLS® and an understanding of the issues and practical considerations involved in selecting and using appropriate controlled vocabularies for a range of biomedical applications. UMLS® Basics is a free class and is awarded 7.5 MLA continuing education credits. Agenda 8:30 - 9:30 Welcome and Overview of the UMLS
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