How BRIDG Can Be Used

BRIDG as a Reference Model
BRIDG can be used as a source for clinical research data semantics and/or a foundation model to develop a consistent set of concepts representing the domain of translational research, to facilitate semantic agreement between different stakeholders in a joint project, to validate requirements for a system so that subject matter experts, analysts and implementers share a common view, to communicate ideas clearly about function and data use.

BRIDG as a Data Integration/Mapping Solution
As a data integration or mapping solution, BRIDG can serve as the hub, where many different standards or models, the spokes, are mapped to a single point (BRIDG, the hub) and can be translated into any of the other spokes without having to do many different point to point mappings. Such a solution is also extensible in that new BRIDG-based mappings can be added as time goes on without having to redo a myriad of additional point to point mappings.

BRIDG as an Exchange Format
At the transactional level or at a data set level, BRIDG can be used as a data exchange format, where subsets of BRIDG classes representing related concepts are exchanged in XSD/XML format.

BRIDG-Based Physical Database
As a conceptual model, BRIDG can be used to create logical and physical database models in support of clinical research software solutions. Numerous institutions, including NMDP, Thomas Jefferson University, a large CRO, FDA, and others have used this approach both at the prototype and production levels.

BRIDG as an Ontology
As a network of well-defined terms, BRIDG can serve as a resource for developing a clinical or translational research ontology. Many of BRIDG’s robust definitions have previously been converted into an OWL representation on a few occasions, subsequently bringing to light issues that have been addressed to make the UML model more consistent.