On Sat, 2003-01-04 at 04:47, John Gage wrote: > Should the open source community really ignore this open source > initiative in medicine because it isn't C++ or Java? Should the open > source community pretend that VistA is just another front end/back > end/other end that can be connected with everything else with .Net or > CORBA?
The fact that VistA is implemented in Mumps is a bit of a problem, but not an insurmountable one (in that Mumps skills can be acquired, but gee, they're scarce on the ground here in Australia). More important issues are how well the VistA data model maps to other settings, and how hard it is to modify it. The use of VistA in indigenous health care services in the US suggests that either the data model is quite general (you wouldn't think so after looking at it...) or its not too hard to change. The acid test is whether VistA can escape the US. Experience here in Australia is that many US-derived commercial systems need extensive reworking to fit local requirements. So do European-derived systems, but these tend to be written from the outset with a large number of different healthcare systems in mind. Are there any non-US VistA sites, or any plans to establish some? Tim C
