Scope of Guide

Overview

The full scope of CA Core+ project will include Common Data Exchange profiles as well as Domain-Specific Data Exchange profiles. Common Data Exchange Profiles are intended to act as a base of constraints that are expected to be shared and demonstrated across Canadian FHIR implementations. Domain-Specific Data Exchange profiles are intended to identify constraints that are applicable and expected under certain contexts (e.g., patient summary).

The pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework (pCHDCF) is made up of many interconnected parts that together shape the standardization and harmonization of health data in Canada. While FHIR profiles convey expectations for interoperability at the point of data being exchanged, the pCHDCF is intended to cover expectations for health data capture, use, and exchange.

While each of these parts are connected (e.g., the Subject Areas in the Information Model frame the boundaries and concepts detailed in the Logical Data Model), the FHIR profiles are expected to focus on interpreting the elements and constraints housed in the Data Standards with the Logical Data Model guiding patterning for some Common Data Exchange profiles.

Scope of This Version

The profiles were developed using the data element definitions currently identified in the Canadian Core Data for Interoperability (CACDI). See Relationship to Other Specifications for more information on the relationship to the CACDI.

The current version of the Implementation Guide focuses on an early draft of a subset of Common Data Exchange profiles.

Note: Many of the proposed elements from the CACDI that relate to an individual person could be mapped to both Patient and Person resource. While the intent of both the pCHDCF and FHIR profiles is to be person-centric, some distinctions are proposed in this version to recognize the current context of use of Patient vs. Person Resources. A profile on the Person Resource has not been included in this draft until more is known about the expectations of its use across various types of systems (e.g., registry systems, EMR systems, billing systems, etc.). Reviewers are encouraged to weigh in on its potential applicability as a Common Data Exchange Profile.

Intent of This Guide

The guide is intended to act as a simple "shell" to render concepts relevant for the early draft releases of the CA Core+ profiles. Notably, the guide pages are intended to allow for the rendering of constraints that are not yet supported by Simplifier profile rendering.

The profiles in this Implementation Guide should be considered an early draft that provides visibility into how the pCHDCF and CACDI content can be translated into FHIR constraints. Reviewers should acknowledge that the constraints will change in reaction to the refinements driven by feedback on the profiles, the pCHDCF and the CACDI

The FHIR Profiles and Implementation Guide will continue to expand as additional content is developed (and refined) in pCHDCF and as this specification expands to support a 1.0.0 DFT Release.