title: Use of Open Source Software in Health Care Delivery - Results of a Qualitative Field Study. Contribution of the EFMI LIFOSS Working Group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess and analyze the attitude of health IT executives towards the utilization of specialized medical Open Source software (OSS) in Germany's and other European countries' health care delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  After an initial literature review a field study was carried out based on semi-structured expert interviews. Eight German and 11 other European health IT executives were surveyed. The results were qualitatively analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Identified concepts were reviewed using SWOT analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 13 strengths, 11 weaknesses, 3 opportunities, and 8 threats of the utilization of OSS in a clinical setting could be identified. Additionally, closely related aspects like general software procurement criteria, the overall attitude of health IT executives, users, and management towards OSS and its current and future use could as well be assessed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical OSS is rarely used in health care delivery. In order to capitalize the unique advantages of OSS in a clinical setting, complex requirements need to be addressed. Shortcomings of OSS describe an attractive breeding ground for new commercial offerings and services that need yet to be seen.
authors: Schlierachstr. 6, 81547 München, Germany. E-mail: holger.schmuhl@gmail.com.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Schmuhl
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Heinze
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Bergh
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005060:Europe; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D012984:Software