Military EMR efforts aside, open-source technology still an unknown
Comments
Anne,
I think your analysis regarding open source is spot on. If DoD's penchant for enormous cost over-runs isn't reined in, we'll all suffer for it, not just open source. The anti-EHR lobby is counting on high level, costly failures to make their case. Nothing like a big failure to make status quo look just fine.
DoD's failures are driven in part by cumbersome contracting mechanism that slow development cycles which then sets up projects for failure as they are overtaken by technology developments or for huge cost over-runs as they try to catch up with the horse that's already out of the barn.
I hope there is enough courage, foresight, and commitment to avoid the well know paths of failure.
Christi:
This is Assistant Editor Dan Bowman. Thank you for your commentary. It's always useful to hear what our readers thoughts are on the various subjects we write about. That being said, what do you, as a reader, see as our strengths as a publication? What about our weaknesses? What would you like to see more of? Feel free to email me at dbowman@fiercemarkets.com. Thanks again for your feedback.
I am all in favor of open source, but have some doubts about how people get paid for their efforts. Maybe some companies can get open source developed if they offered it for free, but attach advertising to it. Afterall, isn't that what brings all of us the Fierce publications?
By the way I love the format of the Fierce Publications. I can skim the articles, and choose the ones I am interested in, and skip the rest.
The VA system uses MUMPS a legacy language with none of the minimal features necessary in a modern world. Just because it is free, would you consider using a Model T or a Kodak Brownie? There are a thousand technologic reasons for not using computer products developed in the 60's - especially when it is writted using an orphan language like Mumps.






