Osmosis software package to make life easier for GPs

The Leeds-based company says its software package, entitled Osmosis, automatically records daily online research carried out by a GP and safely stores it in one accessible location in the cloud.

GPs are required to present evidence for annual appraisal of the research, learning and development they have undertaken throughout the year. So when it comes to the appraisal, GPs using the software can open their account and print out all their research and learning records in a chosen format.

The people behind the company are GP Dr Simon O’Hara, partner at the Chevin Medical Practice in Otley and Bramhope, and web development experts Stephen Iball and Martyn Rainford, of Kirkstall-based New Knowledge Directorate (NKD). They are the main shareholders of the business, which has also received investment from other doctors and IT companies.

Dr O’Hara, a training programme director for the Leeds GP vocational training scheme, approached NKD with the idea of the automatic learning log.

Together with X-Lab, a health informatics software business based at the University of Leeds, the three-way collaboration developed the software.

“I enjoy appraising, but not preparing for my own appraisal,” said Dr O’Hara.

“While struggling to get my documents together, I realised how little valuable online research is actually recorded. When I approached NKD with the concept they ‘got it’ straight away.

“Essentially it is capturing what would otherwise be lost. As you research the information builds up into your own personal ‘wiki’. I use it all the time, often to look up things I’ve seen before and want to refer back to. It’s particularly useful for less common conditions that you don’t see every day. Having everything in one place means you can reference easily.”

Osmosis also includes a journal that enables GPs to add notes at any point in the day and share best practice with colleagues, plus smart-phone and tablet apps that enable the user to upload minutes and notes from meetings and conferences.

Although Osmosis has been created for the medical profession, the team behind it believe the software could merge into other sectors, particularly academia.

“There are many professions and areas of life where you need to demonstrate learning,” said Mr Rainford.

“It could be an invaluable tool for universities or anywhere that involves teaching or training.”

The software has been trialled with 100 GPs nationwide and was officially launched at the Association of Primary Care Educators (APCE) conference at the end of last year.

The firm has been selling the products ever since.

“The feedback has been excellent from GPs, who have cited its user-friendliness as a real strength,” said Mr Iball.