The XML ID is different from the section id. Where the XML ID is used for linking sections together or to other parts of a narrative, the Section's id attribute is just a unique identifier for that section.
Here is a sample (from the IGuide) that shows the use of both:
<component>
<section>
<id root="47ef84cd-8314-48c3-8ee2-bdff3087f83f"/>
<code code="43685-7" codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.1"
displayName="warnings and precautions section"/>
<title>5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS</title>
<excerpt>
<highlight>
<text>
<list listType="unordered">
<item>Aplastic anemia has been observed in 8% of recipients and is
irreversible in the majority of patients who experience this. (<linkHtml
href=”#Section_5.1”>5.1</linkHtml>)</item>
<item>Monitor for hematological adverse reactions every 2 weeks
through the second month of treatment (<linkHtml
href=”#Section_5.2”>5.2</linkHtml>)</item>
</list>
</text>
</highlight>
</excerpt>
<component>
<section ID=”Section_5.1”>
<id root="a857689e-9563-43c0-a244-8a6d5a25966a"/>
<title>5.1 Aplastic anemia</title>
<text>
<paragraph>Aplastic anemia has been observed in.....</paragraph>
</text>
</section>
</component>
</section>
</component>
When looking at the existing SPL model, the id is Mandatory which means that it is required and actually can't be empty. I searched through the SPL Implementation Guide and it was not very helpful in terms of what the id attribute is intended to be used for:
Section 3.2.1, para 3: Each section has a unique identifier (<id>), an <effectiveTime>, and a LOINC code (i.e., the <code> element). A section may or may not contain a <title>.
From the examples that are provided in the IGuide, it looks like just a generic identifier for the section, so I would agree with you that it does not serve a real purpose.
You might want to ask your question at the HL7 International level (to the Biomedical Research and Regulation workgroup).
Sincerely,
Jean Duteau
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