This has been something that has been talked about for years and was a major
wish list topic at the meeting of GP computer systems user groups about 18
months ago.
It seems deceptively simple, but the process is bedevilled by technical,
professional, legal and managerial issues.
There have been a number of projects, both National and European, to look
at the issues. I attended a meeting yesterday with my Meditel hat on, to
discuss with other GP system suppliers and European project team leaders, a
DOH project called "TextBase" which is exploring the possibility to get the
major GP system suppliers to deliver some prototype software to generate and
accept such a message. The project would then test in laboratory
conditions. The project is also hoping to define the requirements needed
for this to be piloted.
There are many ways to tackle it, but the emphasis was on the pragmatic and
safe. It is also bound to be an evolutionary process, with the structure
and content of the transferred EMR changing in the light of experience.
Initially we are suggesting sending just the text of the current printouts
that are currently sent with the Lloyd George Envelope. There is scope even
here for some supplier and user discussions on the text layout that could
usefully transferred.
Expectations must be low, but this does seem a possible way forward to begin
tackling the issues.
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of John Caldwell
Sent: 20 May 1998 21:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Sheetfeeder for scanner
Prit,
The idea of a universal format for import/export for all GP systems is more
than nice, it is essential to save the forests!
What WOULD be nice is a universal system including the hospitals, but NHS
inertia is sur to scupper that. :-(
John.
Dr. John Caldwell
[log in to unmask]
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