ICD-11 "by the people for the people": The open feedback proposal platform.

BACKGROUND: ICD-11's digital architecture and granularity distinguish it from previous revisions and expand its applicability beyond mortality statistics and public health. The official ICD-11 version is updated annually. However, a separate online Maintenance Platform is continuously updated and hosts the Proposal Platform: a novel online tool that enables interested parties from all over the world to contribute to ICD-11 content. Anyone can register on the Platform to propose updates, such as adding new medical terms or improving existing descriptions, helping keep the classification relevant and inclusive. As a public, transparent system, users can view or comment on other users' proposals. Proposals are carefully reviewed by expert WHO committees through a transparent, multi-step process that ensures scientific accuracy and consistency. High-priority updates, like emerging health conditions, can be fast-tracked for quicker inclusion. Once a proposal is accepted, it becomes effective in the following update. A clear justification is provided for rejected proposals. Since ICD-11 came into effect, most suggestions from users have been successfully implemented.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the proposal submission process, the rigorous proposal review process, and the roles of the WHO reference groups and committees involved.

CONCLUSION: ICD-11 is a free, digital global health classification that anyone can help improve by submitting proposals through an open, transparent platform.Implications for health information management practice:This inclusive system empowers users worldwide to shape ICD-11 to reflect the evolving real-world medical and public health practice and emerging needs. This also prevents the need for country-specific modifications, ultimately improving the comparability of clinical data at the international level.