While we’re a little disappointed we won’t be seeing everyone in person this year (and missing out on those hallway conversations and extra coffee refills), we’re genuinely excited to still bring the OSCAR community together online for an engaging and informative session— no commuting or parking fees required.

OSCAR BC’s AGM with Special Guest Speakers
  Saturday, June 13
 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (live online)

AGENDA:

OSCAR BC 2026 Annual General Meeting

We’ll be presenting our 2025 Annual Report, along with an overview of OSCAR BC’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, including the 5 key priorities guiding our work over the coming years.

Keynote Presenter:

Dr. Kathleen Ross – “The Paradox and Pitfalls of Bill S-5”

A timely discussion on how Bill S-5: Digital Health and Connected Care for Canadians may shape interoperability, data sharing, and the future landscape for OSCAR and digital health.

Featured Speaker:

Dr. Tommy Gerschman (Doctors of BC) – eReferrals in BC

A practical update on the progress of eReferrals and what this will mean for day-to-day clinical workflows.

Did we mention that there is NO FEE to register and attend? Free as in “no credit card required.”

Get your free Zoom access link and details by registering here:
  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/qhTHCn9ZRBSq8Ne0go6MmQ

We hope you’ll join us on June 13th for what promises to be a thought-provoking and informative session.  

Please reach out to us at info@oscarbc.ca if you have any questions.

You will have to get a full backup from your current OSP. They usually charge for this process and you should probably do this process twice. The 1st time is to test the conversion and the 2nd time is the final transfer.

This post is a work-in-progress. Once completed, the instructions will be added to the online manual.

The OSP will make 2 backup files and put them online, on a secure server. The database backup is usually small. Just a few Gb. THe document backup can be considerably larger, depending on the number of documents you have. Over 200 Gb is not uncommon.

You should also have a working installation of the version you are migrating into, preferable with Demo data.

NOTE: This is NOT the procedure to use if you are merging the OSP installation into an existing production database.

The migration has the following steps:

• 1) Contact your OSP and request an initial backup. This should be done in advance of your final migration to allow time for the OSP to make the backup and for you to test the process before the final transfer.
• 2) Install and setup the version you want to migrate into. Include the demo data. The Installation instructions can be found at https://oscargalaxy.org/knowledge-base/oscar-19-installation/
  Login and make sure it works.
• 3) Backup the database (oscar_15) including the Demo data and anything else you may have added.
• 4) Restore the backup into another database (eg. oscar_orig)
• 5) Decrypt and uncompress the backups you received from your OSP. This can take a long time.
• 6) Restore the OSP backup database over the existing oscar_15 database.
• 7) Move the documents into the right folder and check the permissions.
• 8) Compare the schemas of the restored OSP database (oscar_15) and the original database (oscar_orig). This is the most time-consuming step. There will be many small differences that have to be reconciled.

As you update the database make backups!
Every line that you enter on the server should be copied from a document that will be used to re-run the final transfer.
You can always revert back to a functioning installation by dropping the oscar_15 database and restoring oscar_orig into oscar_15 OR changing the database name in the oscar.properties file.

Other considerations:

You cannot do billing from 2 installations at the same time.

You need to setup and test backups, faxing and any other services previously done by your OSP.

TIPS:
Run the conversion using the ‘screen’ program. This will ensure that even if you get disconnected, your commands will continue running.

5) If the files are taken from the normal Oscar backups, they may be encrypted. You will need the database password to decrypt these files.

6) Restoring the OSP database may fail due to differences with the mySQL/mariadb configuration.
Tip: The database backup file may be large but surprisingly easy to edit. I use nano -l to display with line numbers.
charset differences: If the OSP still uses latin1, you will need to change CHARSET=latin1 to CHARSET=utf8mb3
sudo sed -i 's/CHARSET=latin1/CHARSET=utf8mb3/g' ~/database_backup.sql
MyISAM vs InnoDB: Some of the older form tables are too big for the default InnoDB config. These are: formAdf, formIntakeHx, formONAR, formONAREnhancedRecord, formONAREnhancedRecordExt1, formONAREnhancedRecordExt2. You can just edit the .sql file changing the InnoDB to MyISAM and restart the restore.
Many of these older form tables may have no data. An alternative workaround is to simply cut out the file creation lines and re-create the tables from the original backup you made in set 4). I did this for formONAREnhanced, formRourke2020. If these forms have data, this is a very bad idea!
sed -i 18,7269d ~/database_backup.sql will remove all lines from 18 to 7269.

8) The following tables are critical. If you do not add the missing fields, Oscar will not start ;-(
I took extra time to add the missing fields to oscar_15 in the same order as defined in oscar_orig. For reasons…
The DROP columns is optional. Oscar will not crash if the table contains extra columns that exist in OscarPro. Probably a good idea, none the less.

I used the perl mysqldiff utility to list all differences between oscar_orig and oscar_15. https://metacpan.org/dist/MySQL-Diff/view/bin/mysqldiff
The command to run is
mysqldiff -o db:oscar_15 db:oscar_orig --user1=root --password1=dbpassword --user2=root --password2=dbpassword
Adding missing fields to oscar_15 is critical because otherwise Tomcat will crash with ‘Database connection error: org.hibernate.exception.SQLGrammarException: could not execute query.’

You will need to read the tomcat log carefully to find the missing table.field using journalctl -u tomcat9.service –since “2025-09-11 11:01:00″.
Hopefully, you will spot the Unknown column ‘security0_.lastUpdateDate’ in ‘SELECT’

I converted them in the following order:
security ADD passwordUpdateDate, pinUpdateDate, lastUpdateUser, lastUpdateDate, totp_enabled, totp_secret, totp_algorithm, totp_digits, totp_period
If you don’t have the old login info, you will have to copy a valid password hash from oscar_orig.security.password.
Note: The password encryption in OscarPro uses a longer and more secure key.

demographic ADD family_doctor, middleNames, residentialAddress, residentialCity, residentialProvince, residentialPostal, roster_enrolled_to, family_physician
UPDATE oscar_15.demographic SET middlenames = ” WHERE middlenames is NULL ;
UPDATE oscar_15.demographic SET family_doctor = “” WHERE family_doctor IS NULL ;
UPDATE oscar_15.demographic SET family_doctor = “” WHERE family_doctor = ” ;

demographicArchive ADD family_doctor, roster_enrolled_to, middleNames, residentialAddress, residentialCity, residentialProvince, residentialPostal, pref_name, family_physician

messagelisttbl ADD destinationFacilityId, sourceFacilityId
UPDATE oscar_15.messagelisttbl SET destinationFacilityId = 0 WHERE destinationFacilityId is NULL ;
UPDATE oscar_15.messagelisttbl SET sourceFacilityId = 0 WHERE sourceFacilityId is NULL ;

At this point, you should be able to login and see the appointments & demographic info.

allergies ADD nonDrug
view ADD providerNo
document ADD receivedDate
drugs ADD short_term, protocol, priorRxProtocol, pharmacyId

Smallprint: This process was used to convert OscarPro(tm) to the Open Source .deb Installation as documented on oscargalaxy.org. Other Oscar forks may require a different process.

This is caused by the browser wanting to enforce a newer version of SSL that may not be supported by your Oscar server.
There are 2 solutions: Upgrade the server or adjusting some browser settings.

Adjusting browser settings:
Enter about:config in the Firefox Address bar, then enter ‘security’ in the search bar.

security.tls.version.enable-deprecated true
security.tls.version.min from 2 to 1

Note: This worked with Windows 10, Firefox ESR 128.12.0esr to Oscar v12

An updated look at the eForm generator using the built in eForm generator in OSCAR. Based on Version 7.4 of the eForm generator.

oscarbc.ca/eforms/eformgenerator/

This annually-held event serves as a valuable platform for learning, collaboration, networking and strategizing for enhanced efficiencies in healthcare delivery.

Our learning themes this year are:

Integrate: Focusing on seamless interoperability and collaboration with available healthcare systems and tools.

Innovate: Focusing on new tools, technologies, and methodologies that push the boundaries of current OSCAR EMR capabilities.

Improve: Focusing on optimizing OSCAR EMR for better usability and efficiency, to measure clinical performance and productivity, and assess physician and patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Download the full OSCARCON Program to see all the details including the day’s agenda, location maps, speaker bio’s, and presentation descriptions.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Register HERE: oscarcon2025.eventbrite.ca

Early Bird rates end May 19th! 

CLICK HERE to download the  Full 2025 OSCARCON Event Program

Remember that OSCAR BC is the largest Oscar User Group in Canada.
Attendees will be travelling from all over Canada to attend this great annual event.

More details as the date approaches…

Remember that Oscar BC is the largest Oscar User Group in Canada.
Attendees will be travelling from all over Canada to attend this great annual event.

OscarBC.com Events page

• Why should we be excited about AI in healthcare? 
• What is AI? 
• How is AI generally applied in health care (with illustrative examples)? 
• What are the legal and ethical considerations around AI use? 
• Q&A

Dr. Tsuei’s presentation will be followed by a short demo of an AI ambient scribe in OSCAR, with Callum Gaskin (WELL Health Technologies / OSCAR Pro). 

Disclaimer: OSCAR BC provides information and resources that may be of interest to our members. OSCAR BC has no formal affiliation with, and does not endorse, recommend, or validate the use of demonstrated products and services, and assumes no liability for the installation, use, or performance of third-party products and services. Members are encouraged to independently assess and verify the suitability and security of any third-party resources before use.

Register now at:
https://lnkd.in/gmqUmqBc

____

About the presenter: Dr. Sian Tsuei is Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC’s Department of Family Practice, Adjunct Professor at SFU’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Affiliate of CHES, and Visiting Scientist at Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health. He holds a Michael Smith Research Trainee Award while practicing as a physician in both Vancouver and Yellowknife. He is an advisor on the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s AI Advisory Group.

His PhD from Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health focuses on understanding how health systems change, and he has particular interest in how technologies such as artificial intelligence and telemedicine affects patients’ and physicians’ behaviours, as well as patient-physician dynamics.

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Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Time: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. EST / 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST

This webinar will cover “tried-and-true” best practices for schedule and workflow management, as well as how to prep for flu season: 

• The importance of virtual appointments 
• Task management
• The power of one-on-one meetings with your MOA before and after the clinic 
• Q&A

Registration Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctdOigqj0pE9TrM-86Q6D3nsmHWf_jE-61

About the Presenters: 

Dr. Hume, a physician since 2005, has served Metro Vancouver as a family doctor since 2011. As MD4ME’s Medical Director, she provides quality care in a professional, friendly, and efficient setting. Starting her clinic in Vancouver allows her to balance motherhood and work, embodying her vision of patient-centered healthcare. Her clinic ensures high-quality services for the community and sets an example of hard work, perseverance, and dedication for her children. Her autonomy fosters innovation and best practices, promoting excellence and compassion in healthcare.

Ashley Rahiman is Director and Co-Founder at MD4ME, bringing over a decade of healthcare experience, specializing in supporting doctors in clinic setup, streamlining workflows, and prioritizing physician well-being to combat burnout. Her passion for creating a positive work environment led her to found MD4ME, driven by the desire for family doctors and Medical Office Assistants (MOAs) to experience freedom and joy in their roles. Ashley envisions a workplace where healthcare providers feel empowered to deliver exceptional care in a welcoming atmosphere, dedicated to serving our community with excellence.  

MD4ME is a nominee for the Business Impact Award at the Small Business BC Awards! 

Amidst a severe shortage of family doctors and widespread practitioner burnout, they pioneered a modern family practice that integrates advanced technology with compassionate, patient-centered care. Since opening in January 2024, they have accepted over 300 patients, many previously underserved, providing them with consistent and empathetic healthcare. Their proactive approach to combatting physician burnout through smart technology systems has not only enhanced job satisfaction among their team but also elevated the quality of care delivered. They have fostered a supportive workplace culture where every team member feels valued, contributing to a collaborative environment that promotes excellence in healthcare. 

This annually-held event serves as a valuable platform for learning, collaboration, and strategizing for enhanced efficiencies in healthcare delivery.   Amidst the dynamic landscape of healthcare technology, characterized by AI advancements and market turbulence, OSCARCON 2024 aims to explore how these changes will continue to impact healthcare providers and EMR users, as well as offering OSCAR EMR-specific instructional sessions, and other relevant digital healthcare innovations.

The day will be full with an uber-great line-up of speakers and presenters, including our Keynote Co-Speakers, Dr. Birinder Narang and Dawn Lake who will be speaking on AI in Healthcare from a physician’s and Doctors of BC perspective.   You’ll be able to choose from 12 information-packed breakout sessions – check out the full program at: www.oscarbc.ca/events/oscarcon2024. 

REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/42UEzFC

This annually-held event serves as a valuable platform for learning, collaboration, and strategizing for enhanced efficiencies in healthcare delivery.   Amidst the dynamic landscape of healthcare technology, characterized by AI advancements and market turbulence, OSCARCON 2024 aims to explore how these changes will continue to impact healthcare providers and EMR users, as well as offering OSCAR EMR-specific instructional sessions, and other relevant digital healthcare innovations.

Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

The GitHub link is https://github.com/1984Doc/AI-Scribe

People can
wget http://sourceforge.net/projects/oscarmcmaster/files/Oscar\ Debian\+Ubuntu\ deb\ Package/oscar_emr19-82~3441.deb
the md5sum is
362493e62a92983c03e9f0d4b1b3906c oscar_emr19-82~3441.deb