Mandatory and Required and R2 and Optional and what?

Both Standards (in HL7) or Profiles (in IHE) refer to the optionality of different items (documents, sections, message elements etc.). However, there is a subtle difference in the way the two organizations refer to the list of options. At the IHE face-to-face meeting today, the PCC and QRPH committees came together and set forth a plan to try to possibly get IHE more lined up with HL7, especially when it comes to Profiles using CDA. This is today's update from the sidecarguy.

Why Sidecarguy?

Most of you are already aware of Keith Boone's blog on Healthcare - motorcycleguy.blogspot.com. While discussing this with a colleague of mine, Tim P., I commented that I should start a blog that was a commentary too, and comment on Keith's blog as well. It was actually Tim's idea to say that I should call it the sidecarguy. So, due props to Tim.