# Flat path «|other» missing in simplified format for DV_CODED_TEXT

**Category:** [ITS](https://discourse.openehr.org/c/its/41)
**Created:** 2026-02-26 15:07 UTC
**Views:** 27
**Replies:** 1
**URL:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/flat-path-other-missing-in-simplified-format-for-dv-coded-text/11790

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## Post #1 by @emmanuel.eschmann

The simplified format for DV_CODED_TEXT (see [https://specifications.openehr.org/releases/ITS-REST/development/simplified_formats.html#DV_CODED_TEXT](https://specifications.openehr.org/releases/ITS-REST/development/simplified_formats.html#DV_CODED_TEXT)) does not mention the flat path “|other”. However, some CDRs — for example EHRBase — require using “|other” to post a free-text value when the DV_CODED_TEXT element’s “Limit to list” checkbox is unchecked and the chosen text is not present in the element’s “external coded” list.

Example composition for a body-weight template:

* the ‘Confounding factors’ node of the template has been renamed to “meal intake’”.
* Because the desired entry “Before meal” is not available in the expandable DV_CODED_TEXT list of “meal intake”, the value is supplied via “|other” (bottom line of the example).
* Note that the paths “|code”, “|value” or “|terminology” must not be set when “|other” is used

```
{

  "ctx/composer_name": "Test Muster",

  "ctx/id_namespace": "test_space",

  "ctx/id_scheme": "test_scheme",

  "body_weight/language|code": "en",

  "body_weight/language|terminology": "ISO_639-1",

  "body_weight/territory|code": "CH",

  "body_weight/territory|terminology": "ISO_3166-1",

  "body_weight/category|code": "433",

  "body_weight/category|value": "event",

  "body_weight/category|terminology": "openehr",

  "body_weight/context/setting|code": "238",

  "body_weight/context/setting|value": "other care",

  "body_weight/context/setting|terminology": "openehr",

  "body_weight/context/start_time": "2026-02-05T08:18:38.499825392Z",

  "body_weight/body_weight/language|code": "en",

  "body_weight/body_weight/language|terminology": "ISO_639-1",

  "body_weight/body_weight/encoding|code": "UTF-8",

  "body_weight/body_weight/encoding|terminology": "IANA_character-sets",

  "body_weight/body_weight/point_in_time:0/weight|magnitude": 85,

  "body_weight/body_weight/point_in_time:0/weight|unit": "kg",

  "body_weight/body_weight/point_in_time:0/state_of_dress|terminology": "local",

  "body_weight/body_weight/point_in_time:0/state_of_dress|code": "at0011",

  "body_weight/body_weight/point_in_time:0/state_of_dress|value": "Lightly clothed/underwear",

  "body_weight/body_weight/point_in_time:0/meal_intake|other": "Before meal"

}
```

 The flat path «|other» also works on other CDRs (for example Better EHR Server).

My question is: Shouldn’t the flat path «|other» also be added to the “simplified format” specification for “DV_CODED_TEXT”?

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## Post #2 by @sebastian.iancu

Thanks for reporting/asking about this issue.
I don't know *yet* the details behind this not being documented, neither the resolution (if we consider this a specification bug or issue). We will discuss it during the next REST API Workgroup meeting.

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**Canonical:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/flat-path-other-missing-in-simplified-format-for-dv-coded-text/11790
**Original content:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/flat-path-other-missing-in-simplified-format-for-dv-coded-text/11790