The OSCAR Architect

Original OSCAR Design Team

OSCAR is the brainchild of Dr. David Chan of the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

It is an open source software project comprising of:

• OSCAR-McMaster: An Electronic Medical Record
• OSCAR-Resource: A Clinical Resource Content Management System
• OSCAR-Citizens: A Patient Portal

These are web-based applications designed for the delivery of evidence resources and decision support at the point of care for both patients and providers. The software was initially developed by the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University. There are now collaborators from many parts of the world. The vision for this project is to develop advanced technology software applications and free clinical evidence based resources. So they can be used by medical professionals and world citizens to ultimately improve the health of our global community.

A Visionary

Dr. David Chan is a Canadian health care professional with a dream! His vision has always been to develop advanced technology software programs for medical professionals. With the goal that these programs would help medical professioals do their work more efficiently and ultimately help the patient.

While on staff at the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, his original visionary dream has never wavered. OSCAR (Open Source Clinical Application Resource) is at the cutting edge of development in web-based electronic record programs for the medical field.

OSCAR was developed, in part, to address the requirements of the Ontario Provincial Government's Primary Care Reform Initiative. This is a multimillion-dollar initiative to transform primary care in the Province.

OSCAR Beginnings in DOS

The origins of OSCAR date back to 1988 when Dr. David Chan developed a DOS program called MUFFIN (McGill University Family Folder Information Network) while at McGill University, Montreal Quebec. This was one of the first programs developed with the spirit of 'Open Source'. It was originally designed with the objective of introducing a low cost computerized medical record system to primary care clinics. The system was customized to meet the specification of Provincial Health Care Programs.

The MUFFIN program embodied the problem-oriented, patient-centered and episode-oriented philosophy in its development, implementation and evolution. Although the system was not designed to replace the manual record system, capabilities were built in such that patient information could be stored in great detail.

OSCAR Launch

In only 14 short months of intense programming, OSCAR launched at its first large clinic on April 15, 2002. Dr. Chan's visionary leadership inspired and propelled the programming team ahead to produce dynamic interactive software that is cutting edge technology in the field of Open Source Clinical software for the medical profession. An amazing feat in 2 ½ years from conception to the official release on November 17, 2002!

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