The Use of Open Source Software in Mobile Health Implementations in Developing Countries

The open source model for software has been maturing for some time, particularly in the operating system market.  However, its use in the health informatics and mobile health domain still remains moderately controversial, with proponents on both sides of the debate.

Clearly, the maturation of products within the health space in recent years show an increased willingness to invest in and investigate open source products. OpenMRS in the EMR space, OpenVistA, an open source version of the Veterans Administration's health record application, PatientOS, a patient management system are but 3 examples in a burgeoning field.  Many of these products have, unsurprisingly, taken off in developing countries, where low access to resources make a perfect economic case for adoption.  As a result, many of these products have been used and trialled successfully in pilot mobile health and health informatics projects in these economies.  There are many other generally accepted benefits to open source approach for these projects: