Physical Activity Implementation Guide
1.0.0 - STU Release 1 United States of America flag

This page is part of the U.S. Physical Activity IG (v1.0.0: STU 1.0) based on FHIR R4. This is the current published version. For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions

Resource Profile: PARelatedPerson - Detailed Descriptions

Page standards status: Trial-use Maturity Level: 2

Definitions for the pa-relatedperson resource profile.

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be found here

0. RelatedPerson
Definition

A profile on RelatedPerson that mirrors the requirements of future US Core versions

Invariantsus-core-14: Either a name or a relationship SHALL be provided (or both) (name.exists() or relationship.exists())
2. RelatedPerson.implicitRules
Control0..0
4. RelatedPerson.modifierExtension
Control0..0
6. RelatedPerson.active
Must Supporttrue
8. RelatedPerson.patient
TypeReference(US Core Patient Profile)
Must Supporttrue
10. RelatedPerson.relationship
Must Supporttrue
12. RelatedPerson.relationship.text
Control1..?
Must Supporttrue
14. RelatedPerson.name
Must Supporttrue
Invariantspa-relatedperson-1: At least one of given and family must exist (given.exists() or family.exists())
16. RelatedPerson.name.family
Must Supporttrue
18. RelatedPerson.name.given
Must Supporttrue
20. RelatedPerson.telecom
Must Supporttrue
22. RelatedPerson.telecom.system
Control1..?
Must Supporttrue
24. RelatedPerson.telecom.value
Control1..?
Must Supporttrue
26. RelatedPerson.telecom.use
Must Supporttrue
28. RelatedPerson.address
Must Supporttrue
30. RelatedPerson.address.line
Must Supporttrue
32. RelatedPerson.address.city
Must Supporttrue
34. RelatedPerson.address.state
Must Supporttrue
36. RelatedPerson.address.postalCode
Must Supporttrue

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be found here

0. RelatedPerson
Definition

A profile on RelatedPerson that mirrors the requirements of future US Core versions


Information about a person that is involved in the care for a patient, but who is not the target of healthcare, nor has a formal responsibility in the care process.

ShortA person that is related to a patient, but who is not a direct target of care
Control0..*
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Invariantsdom-2: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources (contained.contained.empty())
dom-3: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL be referred to from elsewhere in the resource or SHALL refer to the containing resource (contained.where((('#'+id in (%resource.descendants().reference | %resource.descendants().as(canonical) | %resource.descendants().as(uri) | %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty())
dom-4: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a meta.versionId or a meta.lastUpdated (contained.meta.versionId.empty() and contained.meta.lastUpdated.empty())
dom-5: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label (contained.meta.security.empty())
dom-6: A resource should have narrative for robust management (text.`div`.exists())
us-core-14: Either a name or a relationship SHALL be provided (or both) (name.exists() or relationship.exists())
2. RelatedPerson.implicitRules
Definition

A reference to a set of rules that were followed when the resource was constructed, and which must be understood when processing the content. Often, this is a reference to an implementation guide that defines the special rules along with other profiles etc.

ShortA set of rules under which this content was created
Comments

Asserting this rule set restricts the content to be only understood by a limited set of trading partners. This inherently limits the usefulness of the data in the long term. However, the existing health eco-system is highly fractured, and not yet ready to define, collect, and exchange data in a generally computable sense. Wherever possible, implementers and/or specification writers should avoid using this element. Often, when used, the URL is a reference to an implementation guide that defines these special rules as part of it's narrative along with other profiles, value sets, etc.

Control0..01
Typeuri
Is Modifiertrue because This element is labeled as a modifier because the implicit rules may provide additional knowledge about the resource that modifies it's meaning or interpretation
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
4. RelatedPerson.modifierExtension
Definition

An Extension


May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the resource and that modifies the understanding of the element that contains it 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 manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer is allowed to 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.

Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).

ShortExtensionExtensions that cannot be ignored
Comments

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.

Control0..0*
TypeExtension
Is Modifiertrue because Modifier extensions are expected to modify the meaning or interpretation of the resource that contains them
Summaryfalse
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.

Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
6. RelatedPerson.active
Definition

Whether this related person record is in active use.

ShortWhether this related person's record is in active use
Comments

This element is labeled as a modifier because it may be used to mark that the resource was created in error.

Control0..1
Typeboolean
Is Modifiertrue because This element is labelled as a modifier because it is a status element that can indicate that a record should not be treated as valid
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to be able to mark a related person record as not to be used, such as if it was created in error.

Meaning if MissingThis resource is generally assumed to be active if no value is provided for the active element
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
8. RelatedPerson.patient
Definition

The patient this person is related to.

ShortThe patient this person is related to
Control1..1
TypeReference(US Core Patient Profile, Patient)
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

We need to know which patient this RelatedPerson is related to.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
10. RelatedPerson.relationship
Definition

The nature of the relationship between a patient and the related person.

ShortThe nature of the relationship
Control0..*
This element is affected by the following invariants: us-core-14
BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from PatientRelationshipTypehttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/relatedperson-relationshiptype

The nature of the relationship between a patient and the related person.

TypeCodeableConcept
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

We need to know the relationship with the patient since it influences the interpretation of the information attributed to this person.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
12. RelatedPerson.relationship.text
Definition

A human language representation of the concept as seen/selected/uttered by the user who entered the data and/or which represents the intended meaning of the user.

ShortPlain text representation of the concept
Comments

Very often the text is the same as a displayName of one of the codings.

Control10..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

The codes from the terminologies do not always capture the correct meaning with all the nuances of the human using them, or sometimes there is no appropriate code at all. In these cases, the text is used to capture the full meaning of the source.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
14. RelatedPerson.name
Definition

A name associated with the person.

ShortA name associated with the person
Control0..*
This element is affected by the following invariants: us-core-14
TypeHumanName
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Related persons need to be identified by name, but it is uncommon to need details about multiple other names for that person.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
pa-relatedperson-1: At least one of given and family must exist (given.exists() or family.exists())
16. RelatedPerson.name.use
Definition

Identifies the purpose for this name.

Shortusual | official | temp | nickname | anonymous | old | maiden
Comments

Applications can assume that a name is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from NameUsehttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/name-use|4.0.1

The use of a human name.

Typecode
Is Modifiertrue because This is labeled as "Is Modifier" because applications should not mistake a temporary or old name etc.for a current/permanent one
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows the appropriate name for a particular context of use to be selected from among a set of names.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
18. RelatedPerson.name.family
Definition

The part of a name that links to the genealogy. In some cultures (e.g. Eritrea) the family name of a son is the first name of his father.

ShortFamily name (often called 'Surname')
Comments

Family Name may be decomposed into specific parts using extensions (de, nl, es related cultures).

Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate Namessurname
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
20. RelatedPerson.name.given
Definition

Given name.

ShortGiven names (not always 'first'). Includes middle names
Comments

If only initials are recorded, they may be used in place of the full name parts. Initials may be separated into multiple given names but often aren't due to paractical limitations. This element is not called "first name" since given names do not always come first.

Control0..*
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate Namesfirst name, middle name
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
22. RelatedPerson.telecom
Definition

A contact detail for the person, e.g. a telephone number or an email address.

ShortA contact detail for the person
Comments

Person may have multiple ways to be contacted with different uses or applicable periods. May need to have options for contacting the person urgently, and also to help with identification.

Control0..*
TypeContactPoint
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

People have (primary) ways to contact them in some way such as phone, email.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
24. RelatedPerson.telecom.system
Definition

Telecommunications form for contact point - what communications system is required to make use of the contact.

Shortphone | fax | email | pager | url | sms | other
Control10..1
This element is affected by the following invariants: cpt-2
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from ContactPointSystemhttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/contact-point-system|4.0.1

Telecommunications form for contact point.

Typecode
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
26. RelatedPerson.telecom.value
Definition

The actual contact point details, in a form that is meaningful to the designated communication system (i.e. phone number or email address).

ShortThe actual contact point details
Comments

Additional text data such as phone extension numbers, or notes about use of the contact are sometimes included in the value.

Control10..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to support legacy numbers that are not in a tightly controlled format.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
28. RelatedPerson.telecom.use
Definition

Identifies the purpose for the contact point.

Shorthome | work | temp | old | mobile - purpose of this contact point
Comments

Applications can assume that a contact is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from ContactPointUsehttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/contact-point-use|4.0.1

Use of contact point.

Typecode
Is Modifiertrue because This is labeled as "Is Modifier" because applications should not mistake a temporary or old contact etc.for a current/permanent one
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to track the way a person uses this contact, so a user can choose which is appropriate for their purpose.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
30. RelatedPerson.address
Definition

Address where the related person can be contacted or visited.

ShortAddress where the related person can be contacted or visited
Control0..*
TypeAddress
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to keep track where the related person can be contacted per postal mail or visited.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
32. RelatedPerson.address.use
Definition

The purpose of this address.

Shorthome | work | temp | old | billing - purpose of this address
Comments

Applications can assume that an address is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from AddressUsehttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/address-use|4.0.1

The use of an address.

Typecode
Is Modifiertrue because This is labeled as "Is Modifier" because applications should not mistake a temporary or old address etc.for a current/permanent one
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows an appropriate address to be chosen from a list of many.

Example<br/><b>General</b>:home
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
34. RelatedPerson.address.line
Definition

This component contains the house number, apartment number, street name, street direction, P.O. Box number, delivery hints, and similar address information.

ShortStreet name, number, direction & P.O. Box etc.
Control0..*
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Example<br/><b>General</b>:137 Nowhere Street
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
36. RelatedPerson.address.city
Definition

The name of the city, town, suburb, village or other community or delivery center.

ShortName of city, town etc.
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate NamesMunicpality
Example<br/><b>General</b>:Erewhon
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
38. RelatedPerson.address.state
Definition

Sub-unit of a country with limited sovereignty in a federally organized country. A code may be used if codes are in common use (e.g. US 2 letter state codes).

ShortSub-unit of country (abbreviations ok)
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate NamesProvince, Territory
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
40. RelatedPerson.address.postalCode
Definition

A postal code designating a region defined by the postal service.

ShortPostal code for area
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate NamesZip
Example<br/><b>General</b>:9132
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be found here

0. RelatedPerson
Definition

A profile on RelatedPerson that mirrors the requirements of future US Core versions

ShortA person that is related to a patient, but who is not a direct target of care
Control0..*
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Invariantsdom-2: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources (contained.contained.empty())
dom-3: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL be referred to from elsewhere in the resource or SHALL refer to the containing resource (contained.where((('#'+id in (%resource.descendants().reference | %resource.descendants().as(canonical) | %resource.descendants().as(uri) | %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty())
dom-4: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a meta.versionId or a meta.lastUpdated (contained.meta.versionId.empty() and contained.meta.lastUpdated.empty())
dom-5: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label (contained.meta.security.empty())
dom-6: A resource should have narrative for robust management (text.`div`.exists())
us-core-14: Either a name or a relationship SHALL be provided (or both) (name.exists() or relationship.exists())
2. RelatedPerson.id
Definition

The logical id of the resource, as used in the URL for the resource. Once assigned, this value never changes.

ShortLogical id of this artifact
Comments

The only time that a resource does not have an id is when it is being submitted to the server using a create operation.

Control0..1
Typeid
Is Modifierfalse
Summarytrue
4. RelatedPerson.meta
Definition

The metadata about the resource. This is content that is maintained by the infrastructure. Changes to the content might not always be associated with version changes to the resource.

ShortMetadata about the resource
Control0..1
TypeMeta
Is Modifierfalse
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
6. RelatedPerson.implicitRules
Definition

A reference to a set of rules that were followed when the resource was constructed, and which must be understood when processing the content. Often, this is a reference to an implementation guide that defines the special rules along with other profiles etc.

ShortA set of rules under which this content was created
Comments

Asserting this rule set restricts the content to be only understood by a limited set of trading partners. This inherently limits the usefulness of the data in the long term. However, the existing health eco-system is highly fractured, and not yet ready to define, collect, and exchange data in a generally computable sense. Wherever possible, implementers and/or specification writers should avoid using this element. Often, when used, the URL is a reference to an implementation guide that defines these special rules as part of it's narrative along with other profiles, value sets, etc.

Control0..0
Typeuri
Is Modifiertrue because This element is labeled as a modifier because the implicit rules may provide additional knowledge about the resource that modifies it's meaning or interpretation
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
8. RelatedPerson.language
Definition

The base language in which the resource is written.

ShortLanguage of the resource content
Comments

Language is provided to support indexing and accessibility (typically, services such as text to speech use the language tag). The html language tag in the narrative applies to the narrative. The language tag on the resource may be used to specify the language of other presentations generated from the data in the resource. Not all the content has to be in the base language. The Resource.language should not be assumed to apply to the narrative automatically. If a language is specified, it should it also be specified on the div element in the html (see rules in HTML5 for information about the relationship between xml:lang and the html lang attribute).

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from CommonLanguages: A human language.
Additional BindingsPurpose
AllLanguagesMax Binding
Typecode
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
10. RelatedPerson.text
Definition

A human-readable narrative that contains a summary of the resource and can be used to represent the content of the resource to a human. The narrative need not encode all the structured data, but is required to contain sufficient detail to make it "clinically safe" for a human to just read the narrative. Resource definitions may define what content should be represented in the narrative to ensure clinical safety.

ShortText summary of the resource, for human interpretation
Comments

Contained resources do not have narrative. Resources that are not contained SHOULD have a narrative. In some cases, a resource may only have text with little or no additional discrete data (as long as all minOccurs=1 elements are satisfied). This may be necessary for data from legacy systems where information is captured as a "text blob" or where text is additionally entered raw or narrated and encoded information is added later.

Control0..1
TypeNarrative
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesnarrative, html, xhtml, display
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
12. RelatedPerson.contained
Definition

These resources do not have an independent existence apart from the resource that contains them - they cannot be identified independently, and nor can they have their own independent transaction scope.

ShortContained, inline Resources
Comments

This should never be done when the content can be identified properly, as once identification is lost, it is extremely difficult (and context dependent) to restore it again. Contained resources may have profiles and tags In their meta elements, but SHALL NOT have security labels.

Control0..*
TypeResource
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesinline resources, anonymous resources, contained resources
14. RelatedPerson.extension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the resource. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, 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.

ShortAdditional content defined by implementations
Comments

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.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
16. RelatedPerson.modifierExtension
Definition

An Extension

ShortExtension
Control0..0
TypeExtension
Is Modifiertrue because Modifier extensions are expected to modify the meaning or interpretation of the resource that contains them
Summaryfalse
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
18. RelatedPerson.identifier
Definition

Identifier for a person within a particular scope.

ShortA human identifier for this person
NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
Control0..*
TypeIdentifier
Is Modifierfalse
Summarytrue
Requirements

People are known by a variety of ids. Some institutions maintain several, and most collect identifiers for exchange with other organizations concerning the patient. Examples are national person identifier and local identifier.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
20. RelatedPerson.active
Definition

Whether this related person record is in active use.

ShortWhether this related person's record is in active use
Comments

This element is labeled as a modifier because it may be used to mark that the resource was created in error.

Control0..1
Typeboolean
Is Modifiertrue because This element is labelled as a modifier because it is a status element that can indicate that a record should not be treated as valid
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to be able to mark a related person record as not to be used, such as if it was created in error.

Meaning if MissingThis resource is generally assumed to be active if no value is provided for the active element
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
22. RelatedPerson.patient
Definition

The patient this person is related to.

ShortThe patient this person is related to
Control1..1
TypeReference(US Core Patient Profile)
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

We need to know which patient this RelatedPerson is related to.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
24. RelatedPerson.relationship
Definition

The nature of the relationship between a patient and the related person.

ShortThe nature of the relationship
Control0..*
This element is affected by the following invariants: us-core-14
BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from PatientRelationshipType: The nature of the relationship between a patient and the related person.
TypeCodeableConcept
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

We need to know the relationship with the patient since it influences the interpretation of the information attributed to this person.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
26. RelatedPerson.relationship.id
Definition

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
28. RelatedPerson.relationship.extension
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 manageable, 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.

ShortAdditional content defined by implementations
Comments

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.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on RelatedPerson.relationship.extension. The slices are unordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators: , and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
  • value @ url
30. RelatedPerson.relationship.coding
Definition

A reference to a code defined by a terminology system.

ShortCode defined by a terminology system
Comments

Codes may be defined very casually in enumerations, or code lists, up to very formal definitions such as SNOMED CT - see the HL7 v3 Core Principles for more information. Ordering of codings is undefined and SHALL NOT be used to infer meaning. Generally, at most only one of the coding values will be labeled as UserSelected = true.

Control0..*
TypeCoding
Is Modifierfalse
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows for alternative encodings within a code system, and translations to other code systems.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
32. RelatedPerson.relationship.text
Definition

A human language representation of the concept as seen/selected/uttered by the user who entered the data and/or which represents the intended meaning of the user.

ShortPlain text representation of the concept
Comments

Very often the text is the same as a displayName of one of the codings.

Control1..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

The codes from the terminologies do not always capture the correct meaning with all the nuances of the human using them, or sometimes there is no appropriate code at all. In these cases, the text is used to capture the full meaning of the source.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
34. RelatedPerson.name
Definition

A name associated with the person.

ShortA name associated with the person
Control0..*
This element is affected by the following invariants: us-core-14
TypeHumanName
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Related persons need to be identified by name, but it is uncommon to need details about multiple other names for that person.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
pa-relatedperson-1: At least one of given and family must exist (given.exists() or family.exists())
36. RelatedPerson.name.id
Definition

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
38. RelatedPerson.name.extension
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 manageable, 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.

ShortAdditional content defined by implementations
Comments

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.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on RelatedPerson.name.extension. The slices are unordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators: , and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
  • value @ url
40. RelatedPerson.name.use
Definition

Identifies the purpose for this name.

Shortusual | official | temp | nickname | anonymous | old | maiden
Comments

Applications can assume that a name is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from NameUse: The use of a human name.
Typecode
Is Modifiertrue because This is labeled as &quot;Is Modifier&quot; because applications should not mistake a temporary or old name etc.for a current/permanent one
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows the appropriate name for a particular context of use to be selected from among a set of names.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
42. RelatedPerson.name.text
Definition

Specifies the entire name as it should be displayed e.g. on an application UI. This may be provided instead of or as well as the specific parts.

ShortText representation of the full name
Comments

Can provide both a text representation and parts. Applications updating a name SHALL ensure that when both text and parts are present, no content is included in the text that isn't found in a part.

Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Requirements

A renderable, unencoded form.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
44. RelatedPerson.name.family
Definition

The part of a name that links to the genealogy. In some cultures (e.g. Eritrea) the family name of a son is the first name of his father.

ShortFamily name (often called 'Surname')
Comments

Family Name may be decomposed into specific parts using extensions (de, nl, es related cultures).

Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate Namessurname
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
46. RelatedPerson.name.given
Definition

Given name.

ShortGiven names (not always 'first'). Includes middle names
Comments

If only initials are recorded, they may be used in place of the full name parts. Initials may be separated into multiple given names but often aren't due to paractical limitations. This element is not called "first name" since given names do not always come first.

Control0..*
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate Namesfirst name, middle name
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
48. RelatedPerson.name.prefix
Definition

Part of the name that is acquired as a title due to academic, legal, employment or nobility status, etc. and that appears at the start of the name.

ShortParts that come before the name
Control0..*
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
50. RelatedPerson.name.suffix
Definition

Part of the name that is acquired as a title due to academic, legal, employment or nobility status, etc. and that appears at the end of the name.

ShortParts that come after the name
Control0..*
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
52. RelatedPerson.name.period
Definition

Indicates the period of time when this name was valid for the named person.

ShortTime period when name was/is in use
Control0..1
TypePeriod
Is Modifierfalse
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows names to be placed in historical context.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
54. RelatedPerson.telecom
Definition

A contact detail for the person, e.g. a telephone number or an email address.

ShortA contact detail for the person
Comments

Person may have multiple ways to be contacted with different uses or applicable periods. May need to have options for contacting the person urgently, and also to help with identification.

Control0..*
TypeContactPoint
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

People have (primary) ways to contact them in some way such as phone, email.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
56. RelatedPerson.telecom.id
Definition

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
58. RelatedPerson.telecom.extension
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 manageable, 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.

ShortAdditional content defined by implementations
Comments

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.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on RelatedPerson.telecom.extension. The slices are unordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators: , and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
  • value @ url
60. RelatedPerson.telecom.system
Definition

Telecommunications form for contact point - what communications system is required to make use of the contact.

Shortphone | fax | email | pager | url | sms | other
Control1..1
This element is affected by the following invariants: cpt-2
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from ContactPointSystem: Telecommunications form for contact point.
Typecode
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
62. RelatedPerson.telecom.value
Definition

The actual contact point details, in a form that is meaningful to the designated communication system (i.e. phone number or email address).

ShortThe actual contact point details
Comments

Additional text data such as phone extension numbers, or notes about use of the contact are sometimes included in the value.

Control1..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to support legacy numbers that are not in a tightly controlled format.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
64. RelatedPerson.telecom.use
Definition

Identifies the purpose for the contact point.

Shorthome | work | temp | old | mobile - purpose of this contact point
Comments

Applications can assume that a contact is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from ContactPointUse: Use of contact point.
Typecode
Is Modifiertrue because This is labeled as &quot;Is Modifier&quot; because applications should not mistake a temporary or old contact etc.for a current/permanent one
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to track the way a person uses this contact, so a user can choose which is appropriate for their purpose.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
66. RelatedPerson.telecom.rank
Definition

Specifies a preferred order in which to use a set of contacts. ContactPoints with lower rank values are more preferred than those with higher rank values.

ShortSpecify preferred order of use (1 = highest)
Comments

Note that rank does not necessarily follow the order in which the contacts are represented in the instance.

Control0..1
TypepositiveInt
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
68. RelatedPerson.telecom.period
Definition

Time period when the contact point was/is in use.

ShortTime period when the contact point was/is in use
Control0..1
TypePeriod
Is Modifierfalse
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
70. RelatedPerson.gender
Definition

Administrative Gender - the gender that the person is considered to have for administration and record keeping purposes.

Shortmale | female | other | unknown
Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from AdministrativeGender: The gender of a person used for administrative purposes.
Typecode
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Requirements

Needed for identification of the person, in combination with (at least) name and birth date.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
72. RelatedPerson.birthDate
Definition

The date on which the related person was born.

ShortThe date on which the related person was born
Control0..1
Typedate
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
74. RelatedPerson.address
Definition

Address where the related person can be contacted or visited.

ShortAddress where the related person can be contacted or visited
Control0..*
TypeAddress
Is Modifierfalse
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to keep track where the related person can be contacted per postal mail or visited.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
76. RelatedPerson.address.id
Definition

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
78. RelatedPerson.address.extension
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 manageable, 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.

ShortAdditional content defined by implementations
Comments

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.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on RelatedPerson.address.extension. The slices are unordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators: , and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
  • value @ url
80. RelatedPerson.address.use
Definition

The purpose of this address.

Shorthome | work | temp | old | billing - purpose of this address
Comments

Applications can assume that an address is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from AddressUse: The use of an address.
Typecode
Is Modifiertrue because This is labeled as &quot;Is Modifier&quot; because applications should not mistake a temporary or old address etc.for a current/permanent one
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows an appropriate address to be chosen from a list of many.

Example<br/><b>General</b>:home
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
82. RelatedPerson.address.type
Definition

Distinguishes between physical addresses (those you can visit) and mailing addresses (e.g. PO Boxes and care-of addresses). Most addresses are both.

Shortpostal | physical | both
Comments

The definition of Address states that "address is intended to describe postal addresses, not physical locations". However, many applications track whether an address has a dual purpose of being a location that can be visited as well as being a valid delivery destination, and Postal addresses are often used as proxies for physical locations (also see the Location resource).

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from AddressType: The type of an address (physical / postal).
Typecode
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Example<br/><b>General</b>:both
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
84. RelatedPerson.address.text
Definition

Specifies the entire address as it should be displayed e.g. on a postal label. This may be provided instead of or as well as the specific parts.

ShortText representation of the address
Comments

Can provide both a text representation and parts. Applications updating an address SHALL ensure that when both text and parts are present, no content is included in the text that isn't found in a part.

Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Requirements

A renderable, unencoded form.

Example<br/><b>General</b>:137 Nowhere Street, Erewhon 9132
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
86. RelatedPerson.address.line
Definition

This component contains the house number, apartment number, street name, street direction, P.O. Box number, delivery hints, and similar address information.

ShortStreet name, number, direction & P.O. Box etc.
Control0..*
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Example<br/><b>General</b>:137 Nowhere Street
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
88. RelatedPerson.address.city
Definition

The name of the city, town, suburb, village or other community or delivery center.

ShortName of city, town etc.
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate NamesMunicpality
Example<br/><b>General</b>:Erewhon
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
90. RelatedPerson.address.district
Definition

The name of the administrative area (county).

ShortDistrict name (aka county)
Comments

District is sometimes known as county, but in some regions 'county' is used in place of city (municipality), so county name should be conveyed in city instead.

Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Alternate NamesCounty
Example<br/><b>General</b>:Madison
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
92. RelatedPerson.address.state
Definition

Sub-unit of a country with limited sovereignty in a federally organized country. A code may be used if codes are in common use (e.g. US 2 letter state codes).

ShortSub-unit of country (abbreviations ok)
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate NamesProvince, Territory
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
94. RelatedPerson.address.postalCode
Definition

A postal code designating a region defined by the postal service.

ShortPostal code for area
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Alternate NamesZip
Example<br/><b>General</b>:9132
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
96. RelatedPerson.address.country
Definition

Country - a nation as commonly understood or generally accepted.

ShortCountry (e.g. can be ISO 3166 2 or 3 letter code)
Comments

ISO 3166 3 letter codes can be used in place of a human readable country name.

Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
98. RelatedPerson.address.period
Definition

Time period when address was/is in use.

ShortTime period when address was/is in use
Control0..1
TypePeriod
Is Modifierfalse
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows addresses to be placed in historical context.

Example<br/><b>General</b>:&lt;valuePeriod&nbsp;xmlns=&quot;http://hl7.org/fhir&quot;&gt;<br/>&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;start&nbsp;value=&quot;2010-03-23&quot;/&gt;<br/>&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;end&nbsp;value=&quot;2010-07-01&quot;/&gt;<br/>&lt;/valuePeriod&gt;<br/>
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
100. RelatedPerson.photo
Definition

Image of the person.

ShortImage of the person
Control0..*
TypeAttachment
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Requirements

Many EHR systems have the capability to capture an image of persons. Fits with newer social media usage too.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
102. RelatedPerson.period
Definition

The period of time during which this relationship is or was active. If there are no dates defined, then the interval is unknown.

ShortPeriod of time that this relationship is considered valid
Control0..1
TypePeriod
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
104. RelatedPerson.communication
Definition

A language which may be used to communicate with about the patient's health.

ShortA language which may be used to communicate with about the patient's health
Comments

If no language is specified, this implies that the default local language is spoken. If you need to convey proficiency for multiple modes, then you need multiple RelatedPerson.Communication associations. If the RelatedPerson does not speak the default local language, then the Interpreter Required Standard can be used to explicitly declare that an interpreter is required.

Control0..*
TypeBackboneElement
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Requirements

If a related person does not speak the local language, interpreters may be required, so languages spoken and proficiency is an important things to keep track of both for patient and other persons of interest.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
106. RelatedPerson.communication.id
Definition

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
Control0..1
Typestring
Is Modifierfalse
XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
108. RelatedPerson.communication.extension
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 manageable, 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.

ShortAdditional content defined by implementations
Comments

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.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
110. RelatedPerson.communication.modifierExtension
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 manageable, 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.

ShortExtensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
Comments

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.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifiertrue because Modifier extensions are expected to modify the meaning or interpretation of the element that contains them
Summarytrue
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.

Alternate Namesextensions, user content, modifiers
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
112. RelatedPerson.communication.language
Definition

The ISO-639-1 alpha 2 code in lower case for the language, optionally followed by a hyphen and the ISO-3166-1 alpha 2 code for the region in upper case; e.g. "en" for English, or "en-US" for American English versus "en-EN" for England English.

ShortThe language which can be used to communicate with the patient about his or her health
Comments

The structure aa-BB with this exact casing is one the most widely used notations for locale. However not all systems actually code this but instead have it as free text. Hence CodeableConcept instead of code as the data type.

Control1..1
BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from CommonLanguages: A human language.
Additional BindingsPurpose
AllLanguagesMax Binding
TypeCodeableConcept
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Requirements

Most systems in multilingual countries will want to convey language. Not all systems actually need the regional dialect.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
114. RelatedPerson.communication.preferred
Definition

Indicates whether or not the patient prefers this language (over other languages he masters up a certain level).

ShortLanguage preference indicator
Comments

This language is specifically identified for communicating healthcare information.

Control0..1
Typeboolean
Is Modifierfalse
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
Requirements

People that master multiple languages up to certain level may prefer one or more, i.e. feel more confident in communicating in a particular language making other languages sort of a fall back method.

Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))