Revisions to use case section: clarification on primary use case(s)

We recommend consolidating the first two bulleted use cases – and, in so doing, removing the reference to “closed-loop referrals” or “re-direction of incoming referral/requests” (or perhaps relegating them to a parenthetical).

The primary use case enabled by this IG can be described as “service discovery” and/or “resource navigation.” 

“Closed loop referral” is a colloquial term that doesn’t seem to have fixed meaning, but generally implies a bi-directional exchange of client information among providers. This IG does not directly address such functionalities. A “closed-loop referral” might be preceded by service discovery via directory database query, but service discovery is neither necessary nor sufficient to perform a closed-loop referral. 

Likewise, the second bulleted use case also implies processes with client information and organizational workflow that are not specified in this IG.

If references to these actions are considered important context, the IG should reference them as being only indirectly relevant.

“Resource navigation” is a term of art for the practice in which an information intermediary (such as a care provider) helps a help-seeker find relevant information about services that match their personal attributes; however, “service discovery” may be sufficient in this context.

Note that we also don’t know of any significant distinction to be made in this context between “service discovery” performed by a healthcare provider or the same action when performed a social care provider. Arguably this is also the case for a consumer performing a self-directed search for services, but it may still be worth acknowledging that as a different use case as currently described. 

We suggest revised text below: 

This STU1 release of the Implementation Guide focuses on read-only queries of a single directory of human services. Such queries might support a range of use cases: 

• Service discovery, aka resource navigation, in which a care provider queries a service directory to find services that may help address clients’ social needs in accordance with their relevant criteria (geography, goals, relevant personal attributes).