This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v0.0.82: DSTU 1). The current version which supercedes this version is 5.0.0. For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions . Page versions: R5 R4B R4 R3 R2

5.3 Resource Practitioner - Content

A person who is directly or indirectly involved in the provisioning of healthcare.

5.3.1 Scope and Usage

Practitioner covers all individuals who are engaged in the healthcare process and healthcare-related services as part of their formal responsibilities and this Resource is used for attribution of activities and responsibilities to these individuals. Practitioners include (but are not limited to):

physicians, dentists, pharmacists
physician assistants, nurses, scribes
midwives, dietitians, therapists, optometrists, paramedics
medical technicians, laboratory scientists, prosthetic technicians, radiographers
social workers, professional home carers, official volunteers
receptionists handling patient registration
IT personnel merging or unmerging patient records

5.3.2 Boundaries and Relationships

The Resource SHALL not be used for persons involved without a formal responsibility like individuals taking care for friends, relatives or neighbors. These can be registered as a Patient's Contact. If performing some action or being referenced by another resource, use RelatedPerson.

5.3.3 Background and Context

Practitioner performs different roles within the same or even different organizations. Depending on jurisdiction and custom, it may be necessary to maintain a specific Practitioner Resource for each such role or have a single Practitioner with multiple roles. The role can be limited to a specific period, after which authorization for this role ends. Note that the represented organization need not necessarily be the (direct) employer of a Practitioner.

5.3.4 Resource Content

This resource is referenced by AdverseReaction, Alert, AllergyIntolerance, CarePlan, Composition, Condition, DiagnosticOrder, DiagnosticReport, DocumentManifest, DocumentReference, Encounter, Group, ImagingStudy, Immunization, List, Media, MedicationAdministration, MedicationDispense, MedicationPrescription, MessageHeader, Observation, Order, OrderResponse, Other, Patient, Procedure, Questionnaire, SecurityEvent, Specimen and Supply

<Practitioner xmlns="http://hl7.org/fhir"> 
 <!-- from Resource: extension, modifierExtension, language, text, and contained -->
 <identifier><!-- 0..* Identifier A identifier for the person as this agent § --></identifier>
 <name><!-- 0..1 HumanName A name associated with the person § --></name>
 <telecom><!-- 0..* Contact A contact detail for the practitioner § --></telecom>
 <address><!-- 0..1 Address Where practitioner can be found/visited § --></address>
 <gender><!-- 0..1 CodeableConcept Gender for administrative purposes § --></gender>
 <birthDate value="[dateTime]"/><!-- 0..1 The date and time of birth for the practitioner § -->
 <photo><!-- 0..* Attachment Image of the person --></photo>
 <organization><!-- 0..1 Resource(Organization) The represented organization § --></organization>
 <role><!-- 0..* CodeableConcept Roles which this practitioner may perform § --></role>
 <specialty><!-- 0..* CodeableConcept Specific specialty of the practitioner § --></specialty>
 <period><!-- 0..1 Period 
     The period during which the practitioner is authorized to perform in these role(s) § --></period>
 <location><!-- 0..* Resource(Location) 
     The location(s) at which this practitioner provides care --></location>
 <qualification>  <!-- 0..* Qualifications obtained by training and certification -->
  <code><!-- 1..1 CodeableConcept Coded representation of the qualification --></code>
  <period><!-- 0..1 Period Period during which the qualification is valid --></period>
  <issuer><!-- 0..1 Resource(Organization) 
      Organization that regulates and issues the qualification --></issuer>
 </qualification>
 <communication><!-- 0..* CodeableConcept A language the practitioner is able to use in patient communication --></communication>
</Practitioner>

Alternate definitions: Schema/Schematron, Resource Profile

5.3.4.1 Terminology Bindings

Path	Definition	Type	Reference
Practitioner.gender	The gender of a person used for administrative purposes	Incomplete	http://hl7.org/fhir/vs/administrative-gender
Practitioner.role	The role a person plays representing an organization	Example	http://hl7.org/fhir/vs/practitioner-role
Practitioner.specialty	Specific specialty associated with the agency	Example	http://hl7.org/fhir/vs/practitioner-specialty
Practitioner.qualification.code	Specific qualification the practitioner has to provide a service	Example	http://hl7.org/fhir/vs/anzsco-occupations
Practitioner.communication	A human language	Incomplete	IETF language tag

Path

Definition

Type

Reference

Practitioner.gender

The gender of a person used for administrative purposes

Incomplete

http://hl7.org/fhir/vs/administrative-gender

Practitioner.role

The role a person plays representing an organization

Example

http://hl7.org/fhir/vs/practitioner-role

Practitioner.specialty

Specific specialty associated with the agency

Example

http://hl7.org/fhir/vs/practitioner-specialty

Practitioner.qualification.code

Specific qualification the practitioner has to provide a service

Example

http://hl7.org/fhir/vs/anzsco-occupations

Practitioner.communication

A human language

Incomplete

IETF language tag

5.3.5 Notes:

Practitioner.organization is optional, so it can be used to represent self-employed professionals.

Practitioner.period is different from Qualification.period: the first concerns the period during which the Practitioner is allowed to perform in the given roles for the organization. The second is about the period of validity for qualifications for which licenses have been obtained by training or otherwise.

5.3.6 Search Parameters

Search parameters for this resource. The standard parameters also apply. See Searching for more information about searching in REST, messaging, and services.

Name	Type	Description	Paths
_id	token	The logical resource id associated with the resource (must be supported by all servers)
_language	token	The language of the resource
address	string	An address in any kind of address/part	Practitioner.address
family	string	A portion of the family name	Practitioner.name
gender	token	Gender of the practitioner	Practitioner.gender
given	string	A portion of the given name	Practitioner.name
identifier	token	A practitioner's Identifier	Practitioner.identifier
name	string	A portion of either family or given name	Practitioner.name
organization	reference	The identity of the organization the practitioner represents / acts on behalf of	Practitioner.organization (Organization)
phonetic	string	A portion of either family or given name using some kind of phonetic matching algorithm	Practitioner.name
telecom	string	The value in any kind of contact	Practitioner.telecom