"Open Source" is here an abbreviation of "Free/Libre Open
Source
Software" in English, or "Logiciels Libre" in French or "Codigo Libre"
in Spanish.
Motivations in Healthcare
Everywhere in the world healthcare activities are similar,
with similar requirements, although with some cultural differences.
Sustainability by a community, avoiding any dependence on any
single provider.
Facilitate interoperability, by means of natural convergence.
Avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts and unnecessary costs.
...
Main issues
Introduction:
Importance to distinguish 2 main types of issues.
( A ) Shared developments:
Scope
Sharing know-how which need to be international level.
Economic model :
Welfare organizations,
Public authorities responsible of the availability of
healthcare according to social and safety rules. When they use
taxpayer money to improve the healthcare system, the results should
always become available in the public domain.
At one side anybody can take advantage of all open source
software already available in the public domain. At the other
side when an organization needs something more and create a new module
at own expenses, the result of that effort is expected to be made
available in the public domain.
( B ) Support services:
Scope:
IT support services which must be available at regional level.
Economic model:
Services of installation, quality control, training,
maintenance, helpdesk, etc...
Traditional business, competing on quality of services and
prices. Although the software is free many users ask for support
services by experts in the domain.
Types of licenses
Introduction:
Every software must have a license. In the case of Open
Source the authors have the intellectual property and allow others to
share their know-how. "Copy left" means that the license may not
be changed.
