ONC at OSCON 2012: What Could the Future Bring?

The open source software (OSS) community is full of creative software coders developing amazing computer applications collaboratively. Recently I witnessed the power of their collaborative innovation first hand at the Open Source Convention (OSCON) in Portland, OR. This was the conference’s 12th year…but my first experience.

About the Open Source Convention (OSCON)

OSCON was broken into multiple tracks focused on the technical aspects of coding languages, software development strategies, “Geek Lifestyle,” and health care.  The health care track covered topics like open source tools for tracking your own health, open source electronic health records (EHR) and their coexistence with commercial EHRs, and how open source health applications are being utilized globally.

I found it interesting that the attendance seemed highest in those sessions focused on the quantified self and devices, OSS code, and applications that allow an individual to track their own personal data, analyze it, and make life changes that will lead to better individual health outcomes. Some of the health care track attendees clearly had an eye toward consumer-focused health applications and how they could contribute to the growing consumer eHealth movement...