Archetype Query Language

AQL is designed to retrieve data from openEHR-based Clinical Data Repositories using archetypes and semantic meaning rather than database tables, allowing queries to follow the real clinical structure of the data. 
  • Level: Advanced
    Duration: 2 h
    Educator: Andraž Koželj
    Language: English

What will you learn?

  • Why AQL exists, how it differs from SQL, and why it matters for querying openEHR data.
  • How AQL gives vendor-independent access to clinical data, from full compositions to specific data points.
  • The openEHR Reference Model, its core classes and data types, and how they shape AQL queries.
  • How clinical data is structured as a tree within compositions, and how to navigate it.
  • AQL syntax fundamentals and how to construct queries for different data model structures.
  • How to control query results, including output fields, limits, and pagination.

  • How to use aggregation, filtering, and search to analyse and refine results.
  • Advanced scenarios like multiple archetype versions, timeline queries, and composition versioning.

Course details

About the educator

Andraž Koželj

Andraž is a Customer Success Lead at Better, specialising in openEHR and healthcare application development. He is openEHR certified and trains partners and customers on openEHR fundamentals, AQL, and clinical modelling. He's known for breaking down complex technical concepts into clear, practical explanations for any audience.

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