Creating EMR Electronic Medical Records

Posted by Begg-billplayer@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 21 comments

I am currently a 2nd-year Computer Engineering student, and I am working on my first project a basic Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system for my family’s local clinic. I’ve learned the basics of Python, Java, and C++ at my university, and I’m currently studying basic data structures.

For this project, I plan to use Google Sheets for data recording, but I’m looking for guidance on the next steps. Specifically, I want to know:

What are the key concepts I should learn to build an EMR system from scratch?
What are the best practices for handling patient data securely?
Should I stick to using Google Sheets, or would it be better to move to a database?
How should I structure the app to allow multiple users (clinic staff) to access and edit records simultaneously?
What technologies should I use to develop an offline app that syncs data between multiple devices (computers in the clinic)?
What resources or roadmaps are available to guide me through creating this system?

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aqua_regis@reddit

a basic Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system for my family’s local clinic.

Don't. Really. Such systems are huge red flags.

You cannot possibly create a system that is HIPAA (or the local equivalent) compliant and as such can and will only get you and everybody who uses the program in legal trouble.

Patient data, medical records, etc. are material for certified specialists, never for learners.

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Begg-billplayer@reddit (OP)

Thank you for the reply. Is there any other projects you can suggest i can start making that could help benefit the clinic

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aqua_regis@reddit

Nothing anywhere close to clinics is safe to do for a beginner. Find something else.

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Begg-billplayer@reddit (OP)

Could i message you and ask some questions?

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aqua_regis@reddit

Sorry, but any and all communication has to happen inside the subreddit. - Rule #11

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Begg-billplayer@reddit (OP)

I’m just wondering what I need to learn to be able to work on these types of projects. Our university hasn’t really explained the processes involved in making such systems, or something like POS. I only know how to code and integrate it into a GUI. I want to learn what to do next. I’ve been searching and asking AI about the next steps, but they don’t really understand it, or maybe I’m just not asking the right questions. I understand the gravity of what I want to do and will pursue it; I just now want to learn the concept of development. Is there a YouTube video or channel I could watch to understand these concepts?

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ConfidentCollege5653@reddit

The problems with working on EMRs aren't technical they're legal. Unless you understand the compliance requirements you do not want to work on these projects.

yashitaliya0@reddit

Creating an EMR (Electronic Medical Records) system isn’t just about storing patient data, it’s about making workflows faster, reducing errors, and improving care quality. A good EMR should include patient history, e-prescriptions, lab integration, billing, and secure data access.

From what I’ve seen, Healthray offers a solid solution in this space. Their EMR is user-friendly, cloud-based, and designed specifically for clinics and hospitals in India. It helps doctors manage records efficiently while keeping everything organized and secure.

If you're planning to build or adopt an EMR, focus on usability, customization, and compliance. Going with an established platform like Healthray can save time and avoid common implementation issues.

kakovoulos@reddit

Let me help you build it.

fuddlesworth@reddit

I worked at an EMR company.

You DO NOT want to take on this project.

There is so many regulations around this type of work. You cannot and will not succeed.

Top_Sorbet_8488@reddit

Don't build a real EMR system for a real clinic. Legal and security requirements instantly ruin individual projects, and Google Sheets with patient data is a disaster.

If you want to use it as a learning project with fake records, keep it simple:

Choose a standard stack (FastAPI/Django + Postgres).
Create users, roles, and a clean data model (patients, visits, records).
Add basic security habits early.
Ditch offline syncing. Just launch one server and let all devices connect to it.

If your family needs a real system, help them choose an existing EMR.

Individual-Prior-895@reddit

fastapi/django is the absolute worst idea even for learning. there's no job market for this tech stack and it's stupid.

KawasakiBinja@reddit

I'm an application analyst working with a well-established EHR. Don't. It's not worth the trouble, and as others have pointed out, there are volumes and volumes of compliance standards, between HIPAA, PII, and everything else. This is not a solo dev project.

And if you for some reason did pursue it, Google Sheets is not a secure platform for a patient database.

SkynetsPussy@reddit

Are you UK or somewhere else?

If you are UK, this will not be easy, as you will need to interface with SPINE, and I don't think the NHS will give just anyone access to that system.

Also, there will be lots of business processes, you will need to do some serious system analysis, ie, booking follow ups, creating prescriptions, etc.

I do not mean this is a disheartening way, but choose something simpler.

NOTE: I have done Application Support for an EMR system, and it is complex beast with many moving parts.

Agron7000@reddit

There is a common EMR called HL7 but it's a Java object and Java is not an ISO language and therefore it cannot be used in medical projects where source code auditing and certification is required.

Here's a list of languages that have no such barriers :

https://www.iso.org/committee/45202.html

lmao hl7 is not an emr its a standardized way to send/receive data. this has to be rage bait

ripndipp@reddit

I'm a developer and former nurse you need to be HIPPA complaint and a bunch of other shit, patient records are extremely private.

_Atomfinger_@reddit

I worked at a company that did this for 5 years: It is a fine "practice project", but don't do it when real patients are involved.

You'll do more harm than good.

ehr1c@reddit

Medical records are in the same category as credit card data - if you don't know 1000% what you're doing, don't handle the data yourself. If you're planning just to do this as a learning exercise and it won't actually ingest real patient data then of course that's fine but absolutely do not put real medical records into a system you hand-rolled yourself.

You don't want this. just use openemr. you need to meet compliance standards and this is not a solo dev project.

dm i have 7 years professional experience and ill be happy to help mentor/guide for free. i might even help dev