Open-source health information technology: A case study of electronic medical records

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Open-source health information technology: A case study of electronic medical records

This is a review of Safadi, Chan, Dawes, Roper, and Farai. (2015) article, “Open-source health information technology: A case study of electronic medical records”.[1]


Research Question

The purpose of this study is to review open-source EMR adoption and application in North America.

Abstract

The review of the case study reveals the changes and benefits of the adoption of OSCAR, an open-source software (OSS), in primary care units. This review’s target audience consists of practitioner, healthcare technology managers, and policy makers.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were administered to OSCAR users including: practitioners, healthcare technology managers, policy makers, developers, and service providers.

Results

OSCAR and other open-source systems provide a platform that allows for various stakeholders to contribute towards a common goal. Thus, OSCAR and other open-source systems provide a possible solution for the low adoption rates of EHR’s in North America. The lack of knowledge of OSS models and lack of trusty worthy support provides users with a unique set of challenges.

Conclusions

The benefits of OSCAR include low cost for implementation and maintenance, a high degree of customizability, and the advantages of community collaboration.

Discussions

Open-source system maybe a means of solving issues related to financial constraints. This study and others like it demonstrate the possibility of successful application of OSS’s like OSCAR.

Related Links

  1. Leveraging of Open EMR Architecture for Clinical Trial Accrual
  2. Open_source_EMR_software:_Profiling,_insights,_and_hands-on_analysis
  3. Evaluation and selection of open-source EMR software packages based on integrated AHP and TOPSIS
  4. The OpenMRS System: Collaborating Toward an Open Source EMR for Developing Countries

References

  1. Safadi, H., Chan, D., Dawes, M., Roper, M., & Faraj, S. (2015). Open-source health information technology: A case study of electronic medical records. Health Policy and Technology, 4, 14-28.