Instructions on how to use the Synthea Module Builder

Introduction:

Under physician guidance, interns will review medical literature and learn to create and refine existing “clinical modules.” These modules will be used in combination with open-source project Synthea™ to generate simulated “realistic but not real” healthcare data that can be used by researchers who wish to model the effects of treatment or policy strategies.

Information about Synthea:

Synthea is a Java-based tool that generates realistic patient data and health records using modules created and edited by the public. Modules can be created using code or blocks that are pre-coded like how scratch works. Synthea creates mass realistic but not real patient data to be used by researchers.

Key Terms:

• States- The code block that connects to create a module, has many different types EX: blocks in the program scratch
• Transitions- The arrows between states the move the program forward based on certain conditions
• Delay- A state that has a set value of days that pass before the program may move on
• ConditionOnSet- A state that allows for a diagnosis encounter
• Diagnosis Encounter- A state that assigns a disease to someone
• SNOMED-CT- A program that understands all medical terminology and conditions, may use to find codes

How Synthea Runs:

When creating a new mock patient, Synthea simulates one week at a time. If a Delay state is created for less than a week it will go forward, then back to the assigned day. If selected the program can generate a random number within your bounds and if matched to a pre-selected number of your choosing the state will happen. If given the option between multiple new states, the program will select the transition based on the given percent chance of the options.

Steps to building a Module:

1. Every module must have an initial and terminal (start and end)
2. You can name the module in the top left above "Module Remarks"
3. You may add, delete, copy and paste states in the top right
4. Once a state is added you may change name, type, value and transition all on the left
5. To connect states, you may name a state in the top left of the State Editor then click on the desired leading state, select a transition type and the desired connection point

Extra Information

• Here are some resources to advance your module building skills!
• You may find the tasks to be done for this job Here!