OSCAR pioneer, Dr. Susan Harris, dies at the age of 59
About Open Source Software
1)What is open source?
Open source software refers to software that is non-proprietary, available at no or minimal cost, allows different software components to operate compatibly (concept of the "Lego blocks"), and facilitates collaboration in order to improve and enhance the freely accessible source code.
An excellent overview is provided by Ken Kizer, the former CEO of the Veteran’s Administration (VA) in the USA. The VA is widely regarded as one of the most successful IT implementations in the world and has been open source throughout its development.
“For the past twenty years open source software has been building momentum in the technical cultures that built the Internet and the World Wide Web. Open source has now established its viability in the commercial sector, and a major shift toward open source software is underway throughout the world.”
“A critical milestone in the history of open source was the creation of the Linux operating system in the 1990s. Linux demonstrated that open source development methodologies could deliver commercially viable technology to the market.”
“In open source, the basic software is viewed as a commodity and its development is collaborative and shared by the community of users."
"Because contributions to enhancing the code come from many sources in an environment of collaboration, innovation is more rapid."
"Open source is much more consistent with a true free market approach than proprietary products that entail the infamous 'vendor lock'.”
2) What is vendor lock -in?
Access to your data can be compromised if there is a contract dispute with the data management company or the vendor, or if your vendor goes bankrupt. Once you go with a product, that vendor essentially has a monopoly.
Migrating between EMRs is usually not possible or encouraged by vendors. Although there are efforts to create EMR to EMR standards, none yet exist. Once you have invested data in a proprietary system you are stuck. The vendor can name their price for additional features because no-one else can write for the product. New features are usually slow to arrive because the vendor has to wait until there is a significant demand for that feature before investing money into developing it. The vendor has little interest in creating customized features for one user because it is more difficult to maintain support.
Conforming to standards alone will not protect against vendor lock - it is only the product being open-source that does this.
3) Do I need to be a “techie” to use open source?
No. Just as with any proprietary EMR you can pay for technical support. In open source, there are often a range of companies who are available to provide support. If you are a “techie” and do not wish to pay for support, that is also an option.
4) Will it be more work for me if I go with open source?
From the perspective of the customer/user, the amount of work involved in using open-source is no different from proprietary products if you choose to pay for support.
5) Are security concerns any different with open source software?
Experts believe that open source is actually more secure than closed source software.
For a discussion of these questions see:
http://www.dwheeler.com/secure-programs/Secure-Programs-HOWTO/open-source-security.html
6) Why should I choose an open source EMR?
· User driven and responsive: open source software development is driven by the user community; it is therefore highly responsive to user's need
· Low cost: total cost of ownership of the software and its data is usually dramatically less than proprietary EMR. You may even find that costs are lower in supporting your emr implementation with your own funds using open source, than the costs of implementing EMR with a partial Provincial subsidy to use a proprietary product.
· Sustainability: Costs of proprietary products are expected to dramatically escalate over the next several years as provinces move to narrow the vendor field and increase system requirements. This will create an ever more captive consumer market with proprietary systems and for those whose systems are not compliant with newer standards, it may mean a significant loss of investment and data.
· Proven: OSCAR was the first EMR to pass the latest standards of conformance testing in Ontario. OSCAR is widely used by many satisfied doctors around the country.
· Choice: you have a choice of which vendor will provide your service.
· Freedom: Many users describe their user experience as one of “freedom” at many levels
· Community: if you are interested in contributing to the development of the product and being a member of an engaged user community, open source is for you. If you prefer to quietly use the product and not actively participate in its development, open source is also for you. If you would like to hear more from an oscar user near you - click here.
7) What companies provide support to OSCAR in BC and elsewhere?
Here is a list of support companies
8) How can I see a demo?
Different vendors/developer groups provide demo sites.
9) Who should I contact if I am interested to learn more?
Join our discussion group!:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/oscarmcmaster/ (see mailing lists)
