Stream: IG creation
Topic: when is an extension a modifier extension?
Jean Duteau (Nov 13 2021 at 00:09):
In a non-HL7 IG, I've had a reviewer insist that a lot of my extensions are modifier extensions. The argument comes down to the phrase in the core spec: "modifies the meaning of the element that contains it".
I have an End Reason extension to provide a reason why an Address, Name, ContactPoint, etc. were ended. The reviewer asserts that it negates the meaning of the thing it is attached to. I don't think it does negate or modify, it's just providing additional information.
While that might be clear, I also have a Date of Death extension for a Practitioner. I similarly make the argument that it doesn't change the meaning of the rest of the elements on Practitioner. It might change the business actions that occur for the Practitioner, but I don't think it modifies the meaning of Practitioner or any of its elements.
Is the rule around whether something is a modifier extension as simple as "would downstream processing of the resource be different if the extension wasn't present"?
Grahame Grieve (Nov 13 2021 at 00:14):
no. what wouldn't be a modifier under those rules? If you put an extension on that says 'this is not a practitioner' then that's a modifier. If you put an extension on that says 'this is a practitioner, but you might want to know X' then that's not a modifier, no matter how important X is to someone.
Last updated: Apr 12 2022 at 19:14 UTC
