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Column name observation_event_id is misleading

In OBSERVATION table in CDM V6, there is a column called observation_event_id. The name implies it is an observation_id. But it is not. it can be any event id except observation event id. In Wiki, it states “A foreign key to an event table (e.g., PROCEDURE_OCCURRENCE_ID).

The practical use of this field is to link SURVEY_CONDUCT table, in which case, it would be survey_conduct_id. Another usage of this field is to link OBSERVATION table to EPISODE table in Oncology Extension model, in which case, it would be episode_id. In neither cases, it is an observation event id.

I think it should be changed to some other names, e.g.,

other_event_id
non_observation_event_id
clinical_event_id
transaction_event_id
etc.

This is also true for another column name in this table obs_event_field_concept_id. Both names are misleading.

Some relevant post is here

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