I'm a second-year Computer Engineering student working on my first project: creating a basic Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system for my family's local clinic. I've learned the fundamentals of Python, Java, and C++, and I'm currently studying basic data structures.
I plan to use Google Sheets for data recording, but I'm seeking advice on the next steps. Here are my specific questions:
* What key concepts should I learn to develop an EMR system from scratch?
* What are the best practices to securely handle patient data?
* Should I stick with Google Sheets, or is it better to transition to a database?
* How can I structure the app for multiple clinic staff to access and edit records simultaneously?
* What technologies can I use to develop an offline app that syncs between devices at the clinic?
* Are there any resources or plans that can guide me in creating this system?
3 Answers
I really wouldn’t recommend doing this. Creating your own EMR system comes with so many compliance issues. It’s crucial to meet standards like HIPAA, and that’s not something a single developer can handle casually. It’s a huge risk to handle patient data all on your own!
Just a heads up, medical records are super sensitive like credit card info. If you don’t fully grasp the implications of handling real patient data, it’s best to keep this as a learning project and not involve actual medical records.
As someone who has worked in this area, I’d say it’s a good practice project, but don’t even think about using it with real patients. You’ll likely make mistakes that could severely impact people's privacy and health.
Totally agree! It’s one thing to build for practice and another to handle real data. Stick to simulations or dummy data for your studies.