Canada (Commonwealth)_In recent years, Canada’s once-exemplary health-care system has faced unprecedented challenges, with long wait times, a scarcity of doctors, and over 17,000 tragic deaths due to delays in healthcare in 2023. A significant contributor to this crisis lies in the inefficient allocation of funds, as billions of Canadian tax dollars have been directed towards proprietary medical software development, only to be followed by additional payments to use the same software in running the medical system.
The proprietary nature of the Health Information Technology (HIT) software, funded by over $2.1 billion from the Canadian federal government, has resulted in separate and non-collaborative systems across all 10 provinces. These systems not only lack interoperability but also prove to be costly and inconsistent. A study conducted by researchers sheds light on a viable solution that could potentially rescue Canada’s ailing health-care system by advocating for the adoption of open-source development.
The study, authored by experts including a researcher from Western University, emphasizes the need to transition from proprietary software to free and open-source software (FOSS) to enhance efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenditures. Unlike proprietary software, FOSS allows for the sharing, modification, and redistribution of source code, fostering collaboration and innovation.
The focus of the study was on integrating common billing, lab results, and diagnostic imaging (BLD) functions across provinces using an open-source software system named HermesAPI. The analysis revealed promising results, indicating potential cost savings and improved functionality.
The drawbacks of proprietary software, highlighted in the study, include redundant expenditures, as each province independently funds software maintenance, leading to a lack of information sharing and portability. Additionally, the study emphasizes that the proprietary model fosters monopolies and vendor lock-in, limiting competition and hindering technological advancement.
In contrast, embracing open-source development, as proposed in the study, presents a more cost-effective approach. The researchers suggested using HermesAPI for BLD functions, estimating a development and maintenance cost of $610,000. However, this approach could save $120,000 per software development company per province, resulting in overall savings of $6.4 million.
The study underscores the broader benefits of open source, pointing out that 90% of the Fortune Global 500 companies utilize open-source development due to its technical superiority and enhanced security. Notably, open source dominates critical sectors such as supercomputing, cloud servers, smartphones, and artificial intelligence.
Moreover, the study advocates for extending the open-source approach beyond BLD functions, identifying opportunities for a more interoperable, less expensive, and consistent HIT system throughout Canada’s health-care system. By doing so, barriers to entry for Health Information Technology (HIT) companies would be lowered, fostering healthy competition, improving product quality, and ultimately enhancing patient care.
While the transition to open source may entail sending fewer funds to proprietary American software companies, the researchers argue that the return on investment for open source is likely to be substantial. Citing the example of electronic medical records (EMRs), where 90% are products of just three U.S.-based companies, the study proposes a shift towards an open-source model to prevent monopolies and encourage competition.
In conclusion, the study advocates for a strategic shift towards open-source development in Canada’s health-care system. By leveraging the benefits of collaboration, cost-effectiveness, and improved functionality, the adoption of open source can pave the way for a more resilient and responsive health-care system that better serves the needs of Canadians. This approach ensures that every dollar invested in software contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the system, ultimately prioritizing the well-being of patients and addressing the challenges faced by the Canadian health-care system.
