ReviewJAMIA open2026
Use and characteristics of free/libre and open source electronic health records: an overview of reviews.
Review in JAMIA open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Objective: To synthesize and consolidate the existing evidence on the use and characteristics of Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS)-based electronic health records (EHRs) in global healthcare settings. Materials and Methods: We conducted an overview of reviews, systematically searching 14 information sources using a peer-reviewed strategy. Pairs of reviewers independently and in duplicate screened studies, extracted predefined data items, and assessed methodological quality. Findings were synthesized thematically and categorized by use and system characteristics. Results: Nine systematic reviews (2012-2024) met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was generally low. We identified 26 themes related to use and 19 related to system characteristics. FLOSS-based EHRs were predominantly implemented in low- and middle-income countries, driven by cost advantages, adaptability, and community support. Reported challenges included organizational barriers, uncertainties about the capacity of volunteer-led development communities, limited comparative evidence with proprietary systems, and concerns over set-up, customization and training costs. System characteristics varied, especially regarding interoperability, security, and governance. Discussion: The implementation of FLOSS-based EHRs appears to be influenced more by institutional and organizational factors than by technical features. Their adaptability supports use in resource-limited settings, but persistent challenges may raise concerns about long-term sustainability. Conclusion: To realize the potential of FLOSS-based EHRs, stakeholders must strengthen institutional readiness and governance structures, while the research community must improve the methodological quality of supporting evidence.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.