= Introduction =
[[TOC]]
== 1.1 Purpose == #purpose
This document describes the openEHR Support Reference Model, whose semantics are used by all openEHR Reference Models. The intended audience includes:

 * Standards bodies producing health informatics standards;
 * Software development organisations developing EHR systems;
 * Academic groups studying the EHR;
 * The open source healthcare community.

== 1.2 Related Documents == #related
Prerequisite documents for reading this document include:

 * The openEHR Architecture Overview
 * The openEHR Modelling Guide

== 1.3 Status == #status
This document is under development, and is published as a proposal for input to standards processes and implementation works.

This document is available at [http://svn.openehr.org/specification/TAGS/Release-1.0.1/publishing/architecture/rm/support_im.pdf http://svn.openehr.org/specification/TAGS/Release] [http://svn.openehr.org/specification/TAGS/Release-1.0.1/publishing/architecture/rm/support_im.pdf 1.0.1/publishing/architecture/rm/support_im.pdf.]

The latest version of this document can be found at [http://svn.openehr.org/specification/TRUNK/publishing/architecture/rm/support_im.pdf http://svn.openehr.org/specifica] [http://svn.openehr.org/specification/TRUNK/publishing/architecture/rm/support_im.pdf tion/TRUNK/publishing/architecture/rm/support_im.pdf.]

Blue text indicates sections under active development.

== 1.4 Peer review == #peer
Areas where more analysis or explanation is required are indicated with “to be continued” paragraphs like the following:

To Be Continued: more work required

Reviewers are encouraged to comment on and/or advise on these paragraphs as well as the main content. Please send requests for information to [mailto:info@gehr.org info@openEHR.org. Feedback should preferably be] provided on the mailing list [mailto:openehr-technical@openehr.org openehr-technical@openehr.org, or by private email.]

== 1.5 Conformance == #conformance
Conformance of a data or software artifact to an openEHR Reference Model specification is determined by a formal test of that artifact against the relevant openEHR Implementation Technology Specification(s) (ITSs), such as an IDL interface or an XML-schema. Since ITSs are formal, automated derivations from the Reference Model, ITS conformance indicates RM conformance.

Editors:{T Beale, S Heard}, {D Kalra, D Lloyd} Date of Issue: 08 Apr 2007

  © 2003-2006 The openEHR Foundation    email: info@openEHR.org web: http://www.openEHR.org