Details
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Change Request
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Resolution: Persuasive with Modification
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Highest
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US SDOH Clinical Care (FHIR)
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current
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Patient Care
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STU
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SDOHCC Observation Ethnicity OMB
SDOHCC Observation Race OMB -
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Bob Dieterle / Laura Heerman-Langford : 8-0-0
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Clarification
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Non-substantive
Description
Section 16.2 of the Draft Specifications for Race and Ethnicity states:The observation profiles allow for the Observation.subject to reference US Core Patient or if Observation.subject is not specified, then the Observation.subject R5 extension SHALL reference US Core Practitioner. If the observation applies to a RelatedPerson then Observation.subject SHALL reference US Core Patient and Observation.focus SHALL reference RelatedPerson. This allows the use of the race and ethnicity observation to document the race and ethnicity of other actors (practitioner or related person) in the interactions with patients where these characteristics may be important.
This suggests that the observed race of someone (family member, friend) accompanying the patient to a visit could be observed and recorded in the encounter record. All of the concerns the AMA has about the accuracy of observation as a method of collecting race/ethnicity data for the patient would obviously apply - but it also seems that the "related person" could have concerns about having their race/ethnicity detailed in the patient record (especially without permission/consent).
There could also be unforeseen consequences of collecting practitioner race/ethnicity data as part of an encounter. The AMA has had some internal discussions regarding the pros/cons of including these data in health plan provider directories. At the very least, physicians should agree to provide race/ethnicity information voluntarily and should be aware of how the information will be used.
Attachments
Issue Links
- is voted on by
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BALLOT-27638 Negative - Molly Reese : 2022-Jan-FHIR IG SDOH R1 STU
- Balloted