Some elements will show (for example) "effective[x]". These, elements are called "choices". These choice elements indicate that only one of its children may be used at a time. For example:


  • effective[x]
    • effectiveDateTime
    • effectivePeriod


In this case, an instance of the template/profile may only contain either effectiveDateTime or effectivePeriod.


Valid XML Example:

<Observation>
  <effectiveDateTime value="xxx" />
</Observation>


Invalid XML Example:

<Observation>
  <effectiveDateTime value="xxx" />
  <effectivePeriod>
    <from value="yyy" />
    <to value="zzz" />
  </effectivePeriod>
</Observation


The Template/Profile editor does allow you to choose/constrain more than one option; effectively giving the implementer the choice to choose which option for themselves.

Template/Profile Editor

The template/profile editor allows you to specify conformance and cardinality for the choice as a whole (ex: "effective[x]") but does not allow you to specify conformance/cardinality for the options within the choice (ex: "effectiveDateTime" and "effectivePeriod").

Narrative Generation

Here is an example of narrative generated for choice elements when multiple options are constrained/selected:

  1. MAY contain zero or one [0..1] onset[x], where onset[x] is one of (CONF:3272-43)
    1. onsetDateTime (CONF:3272-44)
    2. or onsetAge (CONF:3272-45)