Would SNOMED-CT benefit from realism-based ontology evolution?

Ceusters WM, Spackman KA, Smith B. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2007 Oct 11:105-9.

If SNOMED CT is to serve as a biomedical reference terminology, then steps must be taken to ensure comparability of information formulated using successive versions. New releases are therefore shipped with a history mechanism. We assessed the adequacy of this mechanism for its treatment of the distinction between changes occurring on the side of entities in reality and changes in our understanding thereof. We found that these two types are only partially distinguished and that a more detailed study is required to propose clear recommendations for enhancement along at least the following lines: