Unified Medical Language System® (UMLS®) Basics

UMLS User Support

The UMLS project reaches out to users through a variety of methods. Users are encouraged to select the method that works best for them, remembering that all critical information will be emailed to the licensee email address on file. The following options are available to UMLS users:

• UMLS classes and tutorials
• The UMLS Web site
• The UMLS News RSS Feed
• The UMLS Listserv
• UMLS Customer Support

Instructor lead courses, worth up to 7.5 hours of continuing education credit for Medical Library Association (MLA) members, are taught at the National Library of Medicine. In addition, UMLS classes are taught at conferences and symposiums each year. These courses are annouced via the UMLS Listserv.

The UMLS Web site holds copies of important publications and presentations, up-to-date release documentation, tools, and learning resources. MEDLINE/PubMed contains articles on the UMLS written by NLM staff and UMLS researchers and users. From the UMLS Web site users can join the UMLS listserv, access customer support, or search through frequently asked questions.

UMLS Users can subscribe to the UMLS News RSS Feed to receive news about the UMLS Knowledge Sources and related resources, including upcoming Webcasts.  News items are also posted on the UMLS News Web page.

The UMLS Listserv hosts an open community of UMLS users. While the listserv is monitored by UMLS staff, most questions are answered by community members. Currently, the listserv receives a small volume of traffic related to problems users experience and questions relating to application development. Listserv archives are searchable via the ListServ Web site.

Additionally users can contact UMLS Customer Support with specific questions.