OpenMRS - any challenges?

If you use OpenMRS and have faced some challenges, please post them here (using Add a comment). Our members should be able to answer a number of the questions raised. I will also consider inviting the OpenMRS developers to join in the discussion as necessary.

Demystifying GIS

In this post, I would like us to discuss and demystify GIS - Geographic Information Systems and at the end of it all, come up with ways in which we can use GIS to enhance research in HIV/AIDS and related fields.

GIS is an information system, and just like any other information system, it has components of hardware, software, people, etc.

The major difference between GIS and other conventional information systems is that GIS works with spatial (or geographical data) such as location of residence of a patient. Drilling down to databases, a GIS database is much like the conventional database, except that it has spatial attributes (fields) in addition to the ordinary attributes.

Several GIS software are available, the main commercial one being ArcGIS (developed by ESRI). There are some good opensource solutions such as Quantum GIS. You nay google, download and try it out. There are also Map Window, GRASS, etc.

A common misconception is that GIS is all about maps. Nothing could be farthest from the truth. GIS lets you visualize, question, analyze, interpret, and understand data to reveal otherwise hidden relationships, patterns, and trends in more ways than just maps. GIS is a diverse, versatile field with lots of background components of mathematics, statistics, data management, and geography. And if you like these technical subjects, then GIS is surely the place to be.

What is the difference between SQL and SQL Server?

Simple answer:

• SQL (Structured Query Language) is the language of relational databases, and can be used by any relational database management system.
• SQL Server is a database management system.

Therefore, you can use SQL for any database management system such as SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, etc.

There is standard SQL (also called ANSI SQL), which applies to any database management system. However, database management systems have their database-specific SQL in addition to the standard SQL. This introduces some complexity in using SQLs especially if you use many database management systems in your day to day work. It is like speaking many languages at the same time. You are bound to make a few language errors.

What is it about Datafax?

This is simply a question ... some answers are expected from those who know better. And some debate may follow as well.

A glimpse at the statistical side of things

Amidst the data managers is a diversity of professionals, including statisticians. In this post, I implore any of the members to give some insights into statistical analysis of HIV/AIDS data so that other members may benefit.

Designing reports based on an electronic database

I would like to create a debate on the above topic.

The scenario at hand is that you have an electronic database (maybe Electronic Medical Record System, such as OpenMRS). Your users want online, real-time reports available to them. What possibilities do you have at hand?

I am not providing any answers right now, but with a vast number of options available, the debate can easily begin now.

Just to hint, a commercial reporting solution which I use is SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS); the opensource counterparts that I use are JasperReports (with iReport designer) and Business Intelligence and Reporting Tool (BIRT).

Please have your say  ...

Launching the Blog for Data Managers Forum

Today, 15th March 2014, I am privileged to create and launch the blog for the Data Managers Forum, a new innovation aimed at providing data managers with a common platform for sharing ideas, both technical and non-technical in nature.

This blog comes as a result of a long deliberate effort to bring together data managers in the HIV/AIDS and related fields in Uganda. Since today we are in a global village, contributions to this blog will be open to whoever may wish to contribute across the globe.

This blog is not an official instrument of any institution, and it is not directly affiliated to any organization, although the initiators are data managers from the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala.

It is hoped that with time, interested organizations will be able to provide support to the Data Managers Forum (and by extension the Data Managers) in whatever way may be possible. In the interim, I will be personally moderating this blog to ensure compliance with acceptable standards - technical, ethical or otherwise.

I encourage members to post on a wide variety of subjects, typically (but without limitation) data management (collection, storage, analysis, quality assurance, reporting, etc), statistical analysis, programming, software development, database management systems, IT-wide issues, GIS, etc.

Remember "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy", so some fun posts are warmly welcome as well.

Once inside the log, please post new entries (if you are a forum member) and/or make comments on posts (whoever you may be).

Richard Orama,
Founder of the Blog for Data Managers Forum.