Oscar EMR

"OSCAR User for 4 years"

Overall: This is an open source software which is web based, so that it will function on any OS platform. Since it is open source it means it is also free! You can download it at no cost from the Sourceforge web site, and if you have sufficient computer schools, you can unpack it and start using it. There is also a very vibrant and active community of OSCAR users who communicate with each other on a daily basis and provide mutual support. The system was devised by physicians and computer scientists at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. That's one of the reasons that it a) free and b) under continuing evaluation, improvement and upgrade. I'm using version 12. This is 'mature' software that is thoughtfully developed and in widespread use in many parts of the world. Because the software is open source, you are not at the mercy of a developer/service provider who can jerk you around and exploit your dependence on them. If you don't like your OSCAR service provider or their fees, you can jump ship at a moment's notice and go to another one. (My own experience has been extremely positive with my own service provider, both in terms of low monthly support fees and prompt and obliging service. We don't tend to promote one service provider over another, but it's a good idea to get off-line recommendations from current users.) Because it is web based I can log into my EMR from anywhere in the world. But don't think that means the system is insecure. My server is well protected against hackers. IN fact patient confidentiality remains a constant point of discussion on the listserves. We are all very focused on security. On the other hand there are circumstances where patients want access to parts of their medical record - for instance while traveling away from home. This is where the parallel program MyOSCAR comes in. If you choose to do this (and only if you choose) you can provide as much or as little access as you want through MyOSCAR to your patients. You remain in control of that. Since this is a Canadian development most of the over 2000 users are located in various parts of this country. However, we also have contact with physician users all over the world, from South America, to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the antipodes. For more information visit the web site: https://oscar-emr.com/ Chris.

"OSCAR for Dental use"

Overall: Generally fine to use, we have frequent times where it will be inaccessible that don't usually affect us but there are times about once a month when it goes down and we don't have access.

Pros: One of the highlights of this software is that it's being used all across our services for all departments. This allows us to have a large data base of services and see commonalities among them.

Cons: OSCAR isn't build for dental software. The ease of use for creating schedules, profiles, uploading documents and written documentation is great. However there is no way to link members of a family together and there's no proper way to create charts and draw the needed odontograms for dental.

"Oscar is a good option to go paperless"

Pros: Oscar is very friendly use, you can learn how to use it in 3 days. So for new hires it's a good that we don't waste time with training

Cons: Oscar works only with firefox system and we can't upgrade iOS (we use all MACbooks). So this keeps our systems slow