MedicalSoftware

[IamOnline]

I am working for a local very small pharmaceutical company as a network personnel. And lately I have been asked to help company create a medical software for drug prescription and patient information. I am excited but as I major in networking, knowledge of programming languages is insufficient to fit the task and that I don't even know much about how such software functions in actuality.

I'd like to understand what possible functionality a medical software might expose to users. I have tried searching the web and found several from Australia but they keep asking me to log on with password to test the trial version. If you could show me a link to a frequently used med software, even with trials I am thankful also.

[John E]

Couldn't you use a ready made visual database builder such as Microsoft Access or Interbase etc?

[IamOnline]

Thanks but do you have a practical requirement on a similar software ? I don't know what it should do.

[thomus07]

As for the requirements, you should ask your client (your case it's your company). After gathering complete requirements you may choose the technology.

You may start with Visual Basic 6 and back end (database) MS ACCESS.

If I were you, I shall go with C# + Winforms + SQL Server Compact.

After gaining some experience in programming, please try adopting .NET. Visual Basic 6 is not promoted as .NET by Microsoft.

My graduation pertains to pharmacy. I never like chemistry, then did my post graduation related to IT and never turned back to pharma industry.

I think your company, couldn't differentiate a network administrator and a software Engineer. It's not a bad idea to make them understand.

[dglienna]

Might be covered by special laws covering the medical profession, now that things are going electronic. Doctors are getting $$$ for switching over from their old paper records.

[John E]

I agree with the previous two posters. However easy it might be technically, this is a specialist field that is way outside the remit of a network administrator. For example, your country might operate a central database that the s/ware could tap into if it was written properly - or OTOH there might be privacy laws which prohibit the amount (and type) of information that you can hold. There'll almost certainly be some kind of data protection laws that you'll need to comply with. And don't forget that laws generally keep changing - so whatever you end up with will need to be adaptable.

Just as an aside - I have a friend who works here in the UK where he designs the packaging for medical supplies (pills, ointments, medical dressings etc). He isn't in any way connnected with the actual product development - he just designs the packaging. You'd be amazed at the processes he has to go through and the length of time it takes to get approval, just for the PACKAGING! Even the tiniest change needs to be submitted for approval, which can take weeks. I'm not sure if this is because of statutory laws or if it's an industry code of conduct but either way, the regulation is very strict.

As a starting point, my advice would be to find someone in your locality who already provides this kind of s/ware and invite them to visit your pharmacy and give a demo. Maybe invite two different companies and try to find out what regulations they need to comply with. Once you've got some prices and sufficient information, THEN decide whether it's worthwhile to attempt the task yourself.

[dglienna]

Call the state licensing authority, and ask THEM what the laws require both today, as well as next year

[aio]

The term "medical software" is so broad. But by the way you described it, you may take a look at MS Access template particularly that "Contact List" DB Management. That is the closest I think that will get you started. Go through each table, fields, etc. Most likely you will need to edit some titles to fit your desired info, change some table/column names and probably add some more.

Other than that, you may already need a specialized software to do specialized job that are "pharmaceutical business" in nature. One example is software that compares pharma sales based on potency, dosage, and therapeutic classes --- in which case, a good programmer alone could not probably do the job. You need someone privy to "medical elements" to assist you.

[SonOfMyMom]

Technically if the vision is .NET try to utilize new feautures like LINQ that speeds up the application especially if you consider ASP.NET...
You may consider WF,WCF,card-based systems if you need a windows application...

[IamOnline]

Thanks every1 for ur posts.

[Khiem]

Don't you see they offer nice advice, and it seems to target my own problem too.
If you really have a true passion to making software similar to already made ones. Then go for it!
Don't forget to learn how to separate the main source to different locations for future update and release. How long it takes doesn't matter at all if you are patient, EVERYBODY KNOWS who you are, who longs for it!

[dglienna]

And if his mistake sends YOUR medical records to his tax bill, or everyone's info gets swiped from his external hard drive? There are laws that attempt to protect data.