Release 5

This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v5.0.0: R5 - STU). This is the current published version in it's permanent home (it will always be available at this URL). For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions . Page versions: R5 R4B R4 R3 R2

Example StructureDefinition/BackboneElement (JSON)

Modeling and Methodology Work GroupMaturity Level: N/AStandards Status: Informative

Raw JSON (canonical form + also see JSON Format Specification)

StructureDefinition for BackboneElement

{
  "resourceType" : "StructureDefinition",
  "id" : "BackboneElement",
  "text" : {
    "status" : "generated",
    "div" : "<div xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml\"><table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; font-size: 11px; font-family: verdana; vertical-align: top;\"><tr style=\"border: 1px #F0F0F0 solid; font-size: 11px; font-family: verdana; vertical-align: top\"><th style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a href=\"https://build.fhir.org/ig/FHIR/ig-guidance/readingIgs.html#table-views\" title=\"The logical name of the element\">Name</a></th><th style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a href=\"https://build.fhir.org/ig/FHIR/ig-guidance/readingIgs.html#table-views\" title=\"Information about the use of the element\">Flags</a></th><th style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a href=\"https://build.fhir.org/ig/FHIR/ig-guidance/readingIgs.html#table-views\" title=\"Minimum and Maximum # of times the the element can appear in the instance\">Card.</a></th><th style=\"width: 100px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a href=\"https://build.fhir.org/ig/FHIR/ig-guidance/readingIgs.html#table-views\" title=\"Reference to the type of the element\">Type</a></th><th style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a href=\"https://build.fhir.org/ig/FHIR/ig-guidance/readingIgs.html#table-views\" title=\"Additional information about the element\">Description &amp; Constraints</a><span style=\"float: right\"><a href=\"https://build.fhir.org/ig/FHIR/ig-guidance/readingIgs.html#table-views\" title=\"Legend for this format\"><img src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"doco\" style=\"background-color: inherit\"/></a></span></th></tr><tr style=\"border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px; vertical-align: top; background-color: white\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px; white-space: nowrap; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAyAAAAACCAYAAACg/LjIAAAAJUlEQVR4Xu3IIQEAAAgDsHd9/w4EQIOamFnaBgAA4MMKAACAKwNp30CqZFfFmwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\" class=\"hierarchy\"><img src=\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAAWCAYAAAABxvaqAAAACXBIWXMAAAsTAAALEwEAmpwYAAAAB3RJTUUH3wYeFzIs1vtcMQAAAB1pVFh0Q29tbWVudAAAAAAAQ3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIEdJTVBkLmUHAAAAE0lEQVQI12P4//8/AxMDAwNdCABMPwMo2ctnoQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\".\" style=\"background-color: inherit\" class=\"hierarchy\"/><img src=\"data:image/png;base64,R0lGODlhEAAQAPQfAOvGUf7ztuvPMf/78/fkl/Pbg+u8Rvjqteu2Pf3zxPz36Pz0z+vTmPzurPvuw/npofbjquvNefHVduuyN+uuMu3Oafbgjfnqvf/3zv/3xevPi+vRjP/20/bmsP///wD/ACH5BAEKAB8ALAAAAAAQABAAAAVl4CeOZGme5qCqqDg8jyVJaz1876DsmAQAgqDgltspMEhMJoMZ4iy6I1AooFCIv+wKybziALVAoAEjYLwDgGIpJhMslgxaLR4/3rMAWoBp32V5exg8Shl1ckRUQVaMVkQ2kCstKCEAOw==\" alt=\".\" style=\"background-color: white; background-color: inherit\" title=\"Element\" class=\"hierarchy\"/> <a href=\"types-definitions.html#BackboneElement\" title=\"BackboneElement : Base definition for all elements that are defined inside a resource - but not those in a data type.\">BackboneElement</a></td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a style=\"padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; color: black; null\" href=\"uml.html#abstract\" title=\"This is an abstract type\">«A»</a><a style=\"padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; border: 1px grey solid; font-weight: bold; color: black; background-color: #e6ffe6\" href=\"versions.html#std-process\" title=\"Standards Status = Normative\">N</a></td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"></td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a href=\"types.html#Element\">Element</a></td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: white; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\">Base for elements defined inside a resource<br/><br/>Elements defined in Ancestors: <a href=\"types.html#Element\" title=\"Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.\">id</a>, <a href=\"types.html#Element\" title=\"May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and managable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.\">extension</a></td></tr>\r\n<tr style=\"border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #F7F7F7\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: #F7F7F7; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px; white-space: nowrap; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAyAAAAACCAYAAACg/LjIAAAAJUlEQVR4Xu3IIQEAAAgDsHd9/w4EQIOamFnaBgAA4MMKAACAKwNp30CqZFfFmwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\" class=\"hierarchy\"><img src=\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAAWCAYAAAABxvaqAAAACXBIWXMAAAsTAAALEwEAmpwYAAAAB3RJTUUH3wYeFzIs1vtcMQAAAB1pVFh0Q29tbWVudAAAAAAAQ3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIEdJTVBkLmUHAAAAE0lEQVQI12P4//8/AxMDAwNdCABMPwMo2ctnoQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\".\" style=\"background-color: inherit\" class=\"hierarchy\"/><img src=\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAWCAYAAADJqhx8AAAACXBIWXMAAAsTAAALEwEAmpwYAAAAB3RJTUUH3wYeFzME+lXFigAAAB1pVFh0Q29tbWVudAAAAAAAQ3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIEdJTVBkLmUHAAAANklEQVQ4y+3OsRUAIAjEUOL+O8cJABttJM11/x1qZAGqRBEVcNIqdWj1efDqQbb3HwwwwEfABmQUHSPM9dtDAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt=\".\" style=\"background-color: inherit\" class=\"hierarchy\"/><img src=\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAQCAYAAAAf8/9hAAAABGdBTUEAAK/INwWK6QAAABl0RVh0U29mdHdhcmUAQWRvYmUgSW1hZ2VSZWFkeXHJZTwAAADdSURBVDjLY/j//z8DJZhhmBvw41KQ07dzbk5kG/Dtgu/Jb2fsT5JkwI+bqZw/rsfYA21v+XE97f+PS5H/vx5Ra/98QN7+824ZTiIMSJr580bW/x+3iv//etD9/+fdpv/fzwX+/3LY6P/n7TIzCRtwPYYZaPvGH7dKgAb0AA1o/v/tQsh/oO0bP26TZiYqDIB+1/1+wef/z3vN/3/erPr/5aAOyHZdogMRGPIe38/7gvz+Gej3z18OG/8H2u5BvAFn7GO/Htdv/3pAQejzXjkhoO3tH7dIxY7EpEwMBgAr6O5Q8udliwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\".\" style=\"background-color: #F7F7F7; background-color: inherit\" title=\"Extension\" class=\"hierarchy\"/> <a href=\"types-definitions.html#BackboneElement.modifierExtension\" title=\"BackboneElement.modifierExtension : May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and managable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.\n\nModifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).\">modifierExtension</a></td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: #F7F7F7; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a style=\"padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; color: black; null\" href=\"conformance-rules.html#isModifier\" title=\"This element is a modifier element\">?!</a><a style=\"padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; color: black; null\" href=\"elementdefinition-definitions.html#ElementDefinition.isSummary\" title=\"This element is included in summaries\">Σ</a></td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: #F7F7F7; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\">0..*</td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: #F7F7F7; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\"><a href=\"extensibility.html#Extension\">Extension</a></td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; text-align : left; background-color: #F7F7F7; border: 0px #F0F0F0 solid; padding:0px 4px 0px 4px\" class=\"hierarchy\">Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized<br/><br/></td></tr>\r\n<tr><td colspan=\"5\" class=\"hierarchy\"><br/><a href=\"https://build.fhir.org/ig/FHIR/ig-guidance/readingIgs.html#table-views\" title=\"Legend for this format\"><img src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"doco\" style=\"background-color: inherit\"/> Documentation for this format</a></td></tr></table></div>"
  },
  "extension" : [{
    "url" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/structuredefinition-standards-status",
    "valueCode" : "normative"
  },
  {
    "url" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/structuredefinition-normative-version",
    "valueCode" : "4.0.0"
  }],
  "url" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/BackboneElement",
  "version" : "5.0.0",
  "name" : "BackboneElement",
  "status" : "active",
  "experimental" : false,
  "date" : "2023-03-26T15:21:02+11:00",
  "publisher" : "HL7 FHIR Standard",
  "contact" : [{
    "telecom" : [{
      "system" : "url",
      "value" : "http://hl7.org/fhir"
    }]
  }],
  "description" : "BackboneElement Type: Base definition for all elements that are defined inside a resource - but not those in a data type.",
  "jurisdiction" : [{
    "coding" : [{
      "system" : "http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49.htm",
      "code" : "001",
      "display" : "World"
    }]
  }],
  "fhirVersion" : "5.0.0",
  "mapping" : [{
    "identity" : "rim",
    "uri" : "http://hl7.org/v3",
    "name" : "RIM Mapping"
  }],
  "kind" : "complex-type",
  "abstract" : true,
  "type" : "BackboneElement",
  "baseDefinition" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/Element",
  "derivation" : "specialization",
  "snapshot" : {
    "element" : [{
      "id" : "BackboneElement",
      "extension" : [{
        "url" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/structuredefinition-standards-status",
        "valueCode" : "normative"
      },
      {
        "url" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/structuredefinition-normative-version",
        "valueCode" : "4.0.0"
      }],
      "path" : "BackboneElement",
      "short" : "Base for elements defined inside a resource",
      "definition" : "Base definition for all elements that are defined inside a resource - but not those in a data type.",
      "min" : 0,
      "max" : "*",
      "base" : {
        "path" : "BackboneElement",
        "min" : 0,
        "max" : "*"
      },
      "constraint" : [{
        "key" : "ele-1",
        "severity" : "error",
        "human" : "All FHIR elements must have a @value or children",
        "expression" : "hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())",
        "source" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/Element"
      }],
      "isModifier" : false,
      "mapping" : [{
        "identity" : "rim",
        "map" : "n/a"
      }]
    },
    {
      "id" : "BackboneElement.id",
      "path" : "BackboneElement.id",
      "representation" : ["xmlAttr"],
      "short" : "Unique id for inter-element referencing",
      "definition" : "Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.",
      "min" : 0,
      "max" : "1",
      "base" : {
        "path" : "Element.id",
        "min" : 0,
        "max" : "1"
      },
      "type" : [{
        "extension" : [{
          "url" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/structuredefinition-fhir-type",
          "valueUrl" : "id"
        }],
        "code" : "http://hl7.org/fhirpath/System.String"
      }],
      "condition" : ["ele-1"],
      "isModifier" : false,
      "isSummary" : false,
      "mapping" : [{
        "identity" : "rim",
        "map" : "n/a"
      }]
    },
    {
      "id" : "BackboneElement.extension",
      "path" : "BackboneElement.extension",
      "slicing" : {
        "discriminator" : [{
          "type" : "value",
          "path" : "url"
        }],
        "description" : "Extensions are always sliced by (at least) url",
        "rules" : "open"
      },
      "short" : "Additional content defined by implementations",
      "definition" : "May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and managable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.",
      "comment" : "There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions.  The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.",
      "alias" : ["extensions",
      "user content"],
      "min" : 0,
      "max" : "*",
      "base" : {
        "path" : "Element.extension",
        "min" : 0,
        "max" : "*"
      },
      "type" : [{
        "code" : "Extension"
      }],
      "constraint" : [{
        "key" : "ele-1",
        "severity" : "error",
        "human" : "All FHIR elements must have a @value or children",
        "expression" : "hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())",
        "source" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/Element"
      },
      {
        "key" : "ext-1",
        "severity" : "error",
        "human" : "Must have either extensions or value[x], not both",
        "expression" : "extension.exists() != value.exists()",
        "source" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/Extension"
      }],
      "isModifier" : false,
      "isSummary" : false,
      "mapping" : [{
        "identity" : "rim",
        "map" : "n/a"
      }]
    },
    {
      "id" : "BackboneElement.modifierExtension",
      "path" : "BackboneElement.modifierExtension",
      "short" : "Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized",
      "definition" : "May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and managable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.\n\nModifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).",
      "comment" : "There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions.  The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.",
      "requirements" : "Modifier extensions allow for extensions that *cannot* be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored.  This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the [definition of modifier extensions](extensibility.html#modifierExtension).",
      "alias" : ["extensions",
      "user content",
      "modifiers"],
      "min" : 0,
      "max" : "*",
      "base" : {
        "path" : "BackboneElement.modifierExtension",
        "min" : 0,
        "max" : "*"
      },
      "type" : [{
        "code" : "Extension"
      }],
      "constraint" : [{
        "key" : "ele-1",
        "severity" : "error",
        "human" : "All FHIR elements must have a @value or children",
        "expression" : "hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())",
        "source" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/Element"
      },
      {
        "key" : "ext-1",
        "severity" : "error",
        "human" : "Must have either extensions or value[x], not both",
        "expression" : "extension.exists() != value.exists()",
        "source" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/Extension"
      }],
      "isModifier" : true,
      "isModifierReason" : "Modifier extensions are expected to modify the meaning or interpretation of the element that contains them",
      "isSummary" : true,
      "mapping" : [{
        "identity" : "rim",
        "map" : "N/A"
      }]
    }]
  },
  "differential" : {
    "element" : [{
      "id" : "BackboneElement",
      "extension" : [{
        "url" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/structuredefinition-standards-status",
        "valueCode" : "normative"
      },
      {
        "url" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/structuredefinition-normative-version",
        "valueCode" : "4.0.0"
      }],
      "path" : "BackboneElement",
      "short" : "Base for elements defined inside a resource",
      "definition" : "Base definition for all elements that are defined inside a resource - but not those in a data type.",
      "min" : 0,
      "max" : "*",
      "mapping" : [{
        "identity" : "rim",
        "map" : "n/a"
      }]
    },
    {
      "id" : "BackboneElement.modifierExtension",
      "path" : "BackboneElement.modifierExtension",
      "short" : "Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized",
      "definition" : "May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and managable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.\n\nModifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).",
      "comment" : "There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions.  The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.",
      "requirements" : "Modifier extensions allow for extensions that *cannot* be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored.  This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the [definition of modifier extensions](extensibility.html#modifierExtension).",
      "alias" : ["extensions",
      "user content",
      "modifiers"],
      "min" : 0,
      "max" : "*",
      "type" : [{
        "code" : "Extension"
      }],
      "isModifier" : true,
      "isModifierReason" : "Modifier extensions are expected to modify the meaning or interpretation of the element that contains them",
      "isSummary" : true,
      "mapping" : [{
        "identity" : "rim",
        "map" : "N/A"
      }]
    }]
  }
}

Usage note: every effort has been made to ensure that the examples are correct and useful, but they are not a normative part of the specification.