FHIR Genomics Implementation Guide

Notice

Important: This guidance is under active development by NHS England and content may be added or updated on a regular basis.
This Implementation Guide is currently in Draft and SHOULD NOT be used for development or active implementation without express direction from the NHS England Genomics Unit.

StructureDefinition ResearchSubject

The need for a Genomics ResearchSubject is currently under review.

The profile for the international FHIR ResearchSubject is provided below for completeness.

Profile url	FHIR Module	Normative Status
http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/ResearchSubject	HL7 International	trial-use

The CareConnect profile will be uplifted to the R4 UKCore in a future release

ResearchSubject	I		DomainResource	Element id ResearchSubject Short description Physical entity which is the primary unit of interest in the study Alternate names Study Subject Definition A physical entity which is the primary unit of operational and/or administrative interest in a study. Comments Need to make sure we encompass public health studies. Data type DomainResource Constraints dom-2: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources `contained.contained.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-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-6: A resource should have narrative for robust management text.`div`.exists() dom-5: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label `contained.meta.security.empty()` Mappings rim: Entity. Role, or Act BRIDG5.1: StudySubject v2: OBX rim: Observation[classCode=CLNTRL, moodCode=EVN]
id	Σ	0..1	string	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element id ResearchSubject.id Short description Logical id of this artifact Definition The logical id of the resource, as used in the URL for the resource. Once assigned, this value never changes. 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. Data type string
meta	Σ	0..1	Meta	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element id ResearchSubject.meta Short description Metadata about the resource 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. Data type Meta Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim: n/a rim: N/A
implicitRules	Σ ?!	0..1	uri	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element id ResearchSubject.implicitRules Short description A set of rules under which this content was created 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. 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. Data type uri Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim: n/a
language		0..1	codeBinding	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element id ResearchSubject.language Short description Language of the resource content Definition The base language in which the resource is written. 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). Data type code Binding A human language. CommonLanguages (preferred) Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim: n/a
text		0..1	Narrative	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element id ResearchSubject.text Short description Text summary of the resource, for human interpretation Alternate names narrative, html, xhtml, display 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. 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. Data type Narrative Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim: n/a rim: N/A rim: Act.text?
contained		0..*	Resource	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element id ResearchSubject.contained Short description Contained, inline Resources Alternate names inline resources, anonymous resources, contained resources 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. 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. Data type Resource Mappings rim: Entity. Role, or Act rim: N/A
extension	I	0..*	Extension	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element id ResearchSubject.extension Short description Additional content defined by implementations Alternate names extensions, user content 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. 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. Data type Extension Sliced: Unordered, Open, by url(Value) Extensions are always sliced by (at least) url Constraints ele-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()` Mappings rim: n/a rim: N/A
modifierExtension	?! I	0..*	Extension	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element id ResearchSubject.modifierExtension Short description Extensions that cannot be ignored Alternate names extensions, user content Definition 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). 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. 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. Data type Extension Sliced: Unordered, Open, by url(Value) Extensions are always sliced by (at least) url Constraints ele-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()` Mappings rim: n/a rim: N/A
identifier	Σ	0..*	Identifier	Element id ResearchSubject.identifier Short description Business Identifier for research subject in a study Definition Identifiers assigned to this research subject for a study. Data type Identifier Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim: n/a v2: CX / EI (occasionally, more often EI maps to a resource id or a URL) rim: II - The Identifier class is a little looser than the v3 type II because it allows URIs as well as registered OIDs or GUIDs. Also maps to Role[classCode=IDENT] servd: Identifier w5: FiveWs.identifier BRIDG5.1: StudySubject > Subject.identifier rim: .identifier
status	Σ ?!	1..1	codeBinding	Element id ResearchSubject.status Short description candidate \| eligible \| follow-up \| ineligible \| not-registered \| off-study \| on-study \| on-study-intervention \| on-study-observation \| pending-on-study \| potential-candidate \| screening \| withdrawn Definition The current state of the subject. Comments Note that FHIR strings SHALL NOT exceed 1MB in size Data type code Binding Indicates the progression of a study subject through a study. ResearchSubjectStatus (required) Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim: n/a w5: FiveWs.status BRIDG5.1: StudySubject.statusCode rim: .status
period	Σ I	0..1	Period	Element id ResearchSubject.period Short description Start and end of participation Alternate names timing Definition The dates the subject began and ended their participation in the study. Comments A Period specifies a range of time; the context of use will specify whether the entire range applies (e.g. "the patient was an inpatient of the hospital for this time range") or one value from the range applies (e.g. "give to the patient between these two times"). Period is not used for a duration (a measure of elapsed time). See Duration. Data type Period Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` per-1: If present, start SHALL have a lower value than end `start.hasValue().not() or end.hasValue().not() or (start <= end)` Mappings rim: n/a v2: DR rim: IVL<TS>[lowClosed="true" and highClosed="true"] or URG<TS>[lowClosed="true" and highClosed="true"] w5: FiveWs.planned BRIDG5.1: PerformedStudySubjectMilestone.studyReferenceDateRange
study	Σ I	1..1	Reference(ResearchStudy)	Element id ResearchSubject.study Short description Study subject is part of Definition Reference to the study the subject is participating in. Comments References SHALL be a reference to an actual FHIR resource, and SHALL be resolveable (allowing for access control, temporary unavailability, etc.). Resolution can be either by retrieval from the URL, or, where applicable by resource type, by treating an absolute reference as a canonical URL and looking it up in a local registry/repository. Data type Reference(ResearchStudy) Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` ref-1: SHALL have a contained resource if a local reference is provided `reference.startsWith('#').not() or (reference.substring(1).trace('url') in %rootResource.contained.id.trace('ids'))` Mappings rim: n/a rim: The target of a resource reference is a RIM entry point (Act, Role, or Entity) BRIDG5.1: StudySubjectProtocolVersionRelationship
individual	Σ I	1..1	Reference(Patient)	Element id ResearchSubject.individual Short description Who is part of study Definition The record of the person or animal who is involved in the study. Comments References SHALL be a reference to an actual FHIR resource, and SHALL be resolveable (allowing for access control, temporary unavailability, etc.). Resolution can be either by retrieval from the URL, or, where applicable by resource type, by treating an absolute reference as a canonical URL and looking it up in a local registry/repository. Data type Reference(Patient) Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` ref-1: SHALL have a contained resource if a local reference is provided `reference.startsWith('#').not() or (reference.substring(1).trace('url') in %rootResource.contained.id.trace('ids'))` Mappings rim: n/a rim: The target of a resource reference is a RIM entry point (Act, Role, or Entity) BRIDG5.1: StudySubject
assignedArm		0..1	string	Element id ResearchSubject.assignedArm Short description What path should be followed Definition The name of the arm in the study the subject is expected to follow as part of this study. Comments Note that FHIR strings SHALL NOT exceed 1MB in size Data type string Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim: n/a BRIDG5.1: Arm > ExperimentalUnit > BiologicEntity > Subject > StudySubject
actualArm		0..1	string	Element id ResearchSubject.actualArm Short description What path was followed Definition The name of the arm in the study the subject actually followed as part of this study. Comments Note that FHIR strings SHALL NOT exceed 1MB in size Data type string Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim: n/a BRIDG5.1: Arm > ExperimentalUnit > BiologicEntity > Subject > StudySubject
consent	I	0..1	Reference(Consent)	Element id ResearchSubject.consent Short description Agreement to participate in study Definition A record of the patient's informed agreement to participate in the study. Comments References SHALL be a reference to an actual FHIR resource, and SHALL be resolveable (allowing for access control, temporary unavailability, etc.). Resolution can be either by retrieval from the URL, or, where applicable by resource type, by treating an absolute reference as a canonical URL and looking it up in a local registry/repository. Data type Reference(Consent) Constraints ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` ref-1: SHALL have a contained resource if a local reference is provided `reference.startsWith('#').not() or (reference.substring(1).trace('url') in %rootResource.contained.id.trace('ids'))` Mappings rim: n/a rim: The target of a resource reference is a RIM entry point (Act, Role, or Entity) BRIDG5.1: ResearchStudy.consent is related to PerformedStudySubjectMilestone.informedConsentIndicator in that the informedConsentIndicator can be derived from the data in the Consent resource.

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