The purpose of the event is simple – to provide an on-ramp for those new to open source (current professionals and students) and those simply needing a refresher on fundamental and foundational topics. World-class speakers will deliver talks on the tools, processes and emerging technologies integral to open source.
Although I was unable to attend the first day of events due to a conflicting meeting in Atlanta (TAG – Georgia Technology Summit) I did manage to attend the after hours party and an impromptu “Birds of a Feather” discussion on the NIH challenge of taking a developed product “open source”. Many options were presented including the Drupal and Apache models.
Some of the highlights of Day Two (Thursday)
The Synergy Between Open Source and Healthcare – A great history of Anesthesia system development and implementation at Duke.
Healthcare Panel Discussion – The panel contained all M.D.’s (something you never see at open source meetings) and was a great opportunity to get perspectives from practicing , government, academic, and commercial physicians.
Alembic Foundation – A background on the new foundation which will carry the CONNECT project forward.
The Development & Growth of the OpenEMR Project – An overview of the project history and current status (Certification under way).
Thank you again for the great job organizing the event and finding quality speakers. I look forward to another healthcare track next year.
The fourth annual Palmetto Open Source Software Conference (POSSCON) is March 23, 24, and 25 in Columbia, SC. This year POSSCON has included a track on healthcare.
The goal of the event is to provide affordable access to quality open source education in the southeast U.S, an area that currently has little of it.
Open source and public domain section in the Health IT Adoption Toolbox at HRSA.gov.
It appears the federal government is opening up bids to build a framework for open source solutions in future VistA development.
the Scope of Work from the SOW appears below
The two Open Source SMEs shall identify governance areas and provide strategic, industry focused insights for developing an Open Source governance Request for Information (RFI). Technical assistance, market research and requirements/objectives definition shall be required for the development of the RFI and acquisition documentation necessary to then issue a Custodial Framework Request for Proposal (RFP) in a subsequent procurement action. The Open Source SMEs shall provide insight on the operational relationship between VA and a proposed independent foundation that would govern an Open Source version of VistA. The federal and software acquisition SME shall work with the Open Source SMEs to contribute to defining VA’s acquisition strategy and development of acquisition documentation for the Open Source initiative.
It is apparent this article was placed to “sell” the concept that taking a proprietary software package “open source” has changed the market.
The first myth is that Allscripts is the first company to enter the open source healthcare market. The VA has been using an open source concept for their public domain system which has led to companies like MedSphere picking up market share outside the VA. Other open source EMR packages are available for the small practice market (OpenEMR, OpenMRS, WorldVista). One of the best interface engines (Mirth) has been around for years and is continuing to increase its share of the healthcare marketplace.
Hospitals are not “forced to deal with one vendor” but choose to based on cost (usually large discounts are involved) or the perceived concept that the systems are well integrated (another myth as many are a result of company acquisitions). Interesting that the CEO of Epic is concerned that “can be dangerous for patients” if you do not choose a single vendor. I wonder who that single vendor should be Judith? Years of “best of breed” system selection by hospitals seems to have proven the opposite.
Benefits of Free/Libre Open Source Software
in Health Care (FLOSS-HC)
Special track on FLOSS-HC projects and initiatives at Med-e-Tel 2011
After the success of its first edition at Med-e-Tel 2010 (23 speakers, 1 keynote presentation, 1 panel discussion), the Free/Libre Open Source Software in Health Care (FLOSS-HC) track 2011 aims to create the leading European summit bringing together FLOSS-HC developers, service providers and users from all over the world to cross-fertilize Open technological, business and social initiatives to shape the future of open health care systems.
Co-organized by the European Federation for Medical Informatics Free/Libre Open Source Working Group (EFMI LIFOSS WG), the International Medical Informatics Association Open Source Working Group (IMIA OS WG) and the International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (ISfTeH), it offers a new platform for collaboration establishment, experience exchange and a unique opportunity to foster prospective thinking towards open, collaboratively developed systems in health care.
