This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v4.3.0: R4B - STU). 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: R5R4BR4R3R2
primitive-type Primitive Data Type A primitive type that has a value and an extension. These can be used throughout complex datatype, Resource and extension definitions. Only the base specification can define primitive types.
complex-type Complex Data Type A complex structure that defines a set of data elements that is suitable for use in 'resources'. The base specification defines a number of complex types, and other specifications can define additional types. These structures do not have a maintained identity.
resource Resource A 'resource' - a directed acyclic graph of elements that aggregrates other types into an identifiable entity. The base FHIR resources are defined by the FHIR specification itself but other 'resources' can be defined in additional specifications (though these will not be recognised as 'resources' by the FHIR specification (i.e. they do not get end-points etc, or act as the targets of references in FHIR defined resources - though other specificatiosn can treat them this way).
logical Logical A pattern or a template that is not intended to be a real resource or complex type.
Explanation of the columns that may appear on this page:
Lvl A few code lists that FHIR defines are hierarchical - each code is assigned a level. For value sets, levels are mostly used to organize codes for user convenience, but may follow
code system hierarchy - see Code System for further information
Source The source of the definition of the code (when the value set draws in codes defined elsewhere)
Code The code (used as the code in the resource instance). If the code is in italics, this indicates that the code is not selectable ('Abstract')
Display The display (used in the display element of a Coding). If there is no display, implementers should not simply display the code, but map the concept into their application
Definition An explanation of the meaning of the concept
Comments Additional notes about how to use the code