The openEHR specifications define a common specification for sharing EHRs within an open architecture. openEHR does this using a "two level" design approach.

At the first level, the reference model provides a general framework, in which any clinical information can be safely stored and exchanged.

At the second level, rules for how specific clinical concepts are to be used in the health record are defined. These rules (or archetypes) represent the clinicians’ agreed requirements for data sharing.