# Long question names from validated instruments

**Category:** [Clinical](https://discourse.openehr.org/c/clinical/5)
**Created:** 2025-11-05 12:29 UTC
**Views:** 41
**Replies:** 3
**URL:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/long-question-names-from-validated-instruments/11574

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## Post #1 by @retwet

For a use case in Germany, we are currently modelling several validated instruments from the psych domain. The questions/statements asked to participants and used to record answers in these instruments can vary significantly in detail and length.

In some cases, such as the Value-Based Stigma Inventory (VASI) questionnaire, it works well to include the full question as the element name. A draft model can be found here: https://tools.openehr.org/designer/#/viewer/shared/Pz9zaGFyZWRJZD0xJGM5NDVmOWM2MDU0ODQ3ZWU4NjI1MDhmMDNhM2ZmNTVj .

However, in other cases, such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire, the questions are much longer and may consist of multiple sentences. In these situations, including the full question in the element name becomes impractical. A draft model where the questions are placed in the description and the element is named with a shortend abbrevation, can be found here: https://tools.openehr.org/designer/#/viewer/shared/Pz9zaGFyZWRJZD0xJGY5ZmFmZmQ5NDZlNzRiZDViY2M0ZTViNzViYjgxNmFm .

Any advice or guidance on best practices for naming such elements would be much appreciated. Should we aim for shorter, generic names and rely on the description for the full question text, or is there a preferred convention in openEHR for handling long question-based elements, that could be multiple sentences long?

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## Post #2 by @retwet

Addendum: 

Reading the styleguids for [PROM](https://openehr.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/healthmod/pages/2471886851/PROM+modelling+style+guide+DRAFT) and [Scores](https://openehr.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/healthmod/pages/304742407/Archetype+Editorial+style+guide#Scores-and-Scales) on Condluence, I am also not sure if there is a general agreement on the labels used for instrument elements. In the PROM styleguide there is a sentance about using a “short text representing the content of the question” and in the Score styleguide it says “elements should be named as the exact text of the question in the source material”. This confuses me more and some insights would be much appreciated.

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## Post #3 by @linforest

Relevant topic:

* [Natural language based FLAT format and long container/element names](https://discourse.openehr.org/t/natural-language-based-flat-format-and-long-container-element-names)

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## Post #4 by @retwet

@linforest Thank you for pointing this out! I replied in your referenced thread, as it feels that there was no consensus yet.

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**Canonical:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/long-question-names-from-validated-instruments/11574
**Original content:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/long-question-names-from-validated-instruments/11574