GNUmed
Encyclopedia
GNUmed is a Free/Libre
electronic medical record
(EMR) for Unix-like
systems (BSD
, GNU/Linux, and UNIX systems
), Microsoft Windows
, Mac OS X
and other platforms. GNUmed aims to provide medical software
that respects the privacy of patients and that is based on open standards.
GNUmed is based on third party projects such as free software
/open source
DBMS
PostgreSQL
and is written mostly in Python
. It is supported by a graphical user interface
(GUI) based on WxPython
.
The GNUmed practice management is developed and maintained by a community of developers.
Karsten Hilbert was not alone in his efforts. Several other developers joined the team and helped at one time or the other: Syan Tan, Ian Haywood, Hilmar Berger, Sebastian Hilbert, Carlos Moro, Michael Bonert, Richard Terry, Tony Lembke and many more. While some concentrated on coding, many others, like Jim Busser helped by creating documentation or by submitting other comments.
The name was initially chosen to give credit to the GNU project
and GNUmed's connection to the medical profession. The logo depicts a Gnu
as a reference to the GNU project
accompanied by a Python
as a reference to the programming language as well as to the medical profession.
At the time, GNUmed was just another free software
project aiming to become an alternative to the established EMR
s. It has since evolved to rival other EMRs in terms of functionality and performance.
The Wiki features a section called WhatCanIActuallyDOWithGNUmedToday which gives a broader overview. Each release adds a distinct set of polished features.
By making use of GNUmed's interface 3rd party software can interact with GNUmed to make use of its features.
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
electronic medical record
Electronic medical record
An electronic medical record is a computerized medical record created in an organization that delivers care, such as a hospital or physician's office...
(EMR) for Unix-like
Unix-like
A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
systems (BSD
Berkeley Software Distribution
Berkeley Software Distribution is a Unix operating system derivative developed and distributed by the Computer Systems Research Group of the University of California, Berkeley, from 1977 to 1995...
, GNU/Linux, and UNIX systems
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
), Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and other platforms. GNUmed aims to provide medical software
Medical software
In computers, medical software is a significant branch of software engineering. Many medical devices that monitor or control patients are predominantly controlled by software. Medical devices are frequently regulated and must comply with local and regional laws. In the European Union, these...
that respects the privacy of patients and that is based on open standards.
GNUmed is based on third party projects such as free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
/open source
Open-source software
Open-source software is computer software that is available in source code form: the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software.Open...
DBMS
Database management system
A database management system is a software package with computer programs that control the creation, maintenance, and use of a database. It allows organizations to conveniently develop databases for various applications by database administrators and other specialists. A database is an integrated...
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL, often simply Postgres, is an object-relational database management system available for many platforms including Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, MS Windows and Mac OS X. It is released under the PostgreSQL License, which is an MIT-style license, and is thus free and open source software...
and is written mostly in Python
Python (programming language)
Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
. It is supported by a graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
(GUI) based on WxPython
WxPython
-External links:* * at showmedo...
.
The GNUmed practice management is developed and maintained by a community of developers.
History
The first version of the GNUmed was created by Horst Herb. When Herb ceased active development, the development of GNUmed was picked up by Karsten Hilbert who took over as project leader and partly overhauled the project.Karsten Hilbert was not alone in his efforts. Several other developers joined the team and helped at one time or the other: Syan Tan, Ian Haywood, Hilmar Berger, Sebastian Hilbert, Carlos Moro, Michael Bonert, Richard Terry, Tony Lembke and many more. While some concentrated on coding, many others, like Jim Busser helped by creating documentation or by submitting other comments.
The name was initially chosen to give credit to the GNU project
GNU Project
The GNU Project is a free software, mass collaboration project, announced on September 27, 1983, by Richard Stallman at MIT. It initiated GNU operating system development in January, 1984...
and GNUmed's connection to the medical profession. The logo depicts a Gnu
Wildebeest
The wildebeest , also called the gnu is an antelope of the genus Connochaetes. It is a hooved mammal...
as a reference to the GNU project
GNU
GNU is a Unix-like computer operating system developed by the GNU project, ultimately aiming to be a "complete Unix-compatible software system"...
accompanied by a Python
Python (programming language)
Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
as a reference to the programming language as well as to the medical profession.
At the time, GNUmed was just another free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
project aiming to become an alternative to the established EMR
Electronic medical record
An electronic medical record is a computerized medical record created in an organization that delivers care, such as a hospital or physician's office...
s. It has since evolved to rival other EMRs in terms of functionality and performance.
Usage
GNUmed is primarily used to manage electronic medical records. It provides means of archiving paper records as well as collecting metadata on these records.Features
GNUmed supports a variety of features, many implemented as plugins which extend the core functionality. These can range a medical paper record archiving system to vaccination status handling. A list of features is provided in GNUmed's documentation system.The Wiki features a section called WhatCanIActuallyDOWithGNUmedToday which gives a broader overview. Each release adds a distinct set of polished features.
By making use of GNUmed's interface 3rd party software can interact with GNUmed to make use of its features.
External links
- GNUmed official website
- GNUmed documentation system
- GNUmed source code repository
- GNUmed DevCenter
- GNUmed mailing list Archive
- GNUmed archived at the Internet Archive Wayback Machine
- GNUmed for the Masses Blog for non-technical audience (end-users and testers)