Medical Open Source:

Medical Open Source Systems ( MOSS )

The idea is to give easy access to the latest medical developments worldwide.

In many parts of the 3rd world getting hold of medical literature is a major constraint on health development. The aim is to develop and distribute via the internet good quality material that will be of value to all.

Open source resources have three characteristics :-

1. It is freely available without cost.

2. It can be accessed easily and is open to development and modification.

3. The originator should always be acknowledged and he/she retains the right to set the standard.

I have suggested a number of areas in which Open Source ( an S inside an O ) might be used. They are as follows :-

1. Open Source Medical Audit Benchmarks.

2. Open Source Medical Education & Training Systems.

3. Open Source Medical Information Resources

4. Open Source Medical Assessment Systems

A few medical schools, universities and postgraduate centres are starting to make some of their material free and open. Most notably the BMJ and Quality in Health Care is now free to all. A significant development.

Open Source Links

There are some web sites being developed. Such as www.inasp.org.uk.

The Open Archives initiative is a developing open academic archive and of course this all stems from the LINUX operating system and the Open Source Organisation.

My involvement with medical education means that there are a few sheets on the site if you are interested. Go to Medical Education Material.

BMJ - The general medical journal website
Quality and Safety in Healthcare
International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications - inasp.org.uk

Redhat Linux - Open Source Organisation