Get started as a clinician

openEHR is shaped by clinicians. You don’t need to code to take part: your clinical knowledge is exactly what’s needed. Here’s how to start.

Start step 1Explore CKM

Six steps from curious to contributor

Start at step 1 and stop wherever suits you. Even step 3 makes a real difference to openEHR’s clinical models worldwide.

  1. Understand why clinicians matter10 min

    In most systems, IT teams decide how clinical information is recorded. In openEHR, clinicians do. Clinical concepts are defined in archetypes, agreed by clinicians from around the world, and software adapts to them. That means records that make clinical sense, and data you can trust and reuse.

    How openEHR worksopenEHR for clinicians

  2. Explore the Clinical Knowledge Manager20 min

    The Clinical Knowledge Manager (CKM) is the international library of openEHR archetypes. Search for something from your own practice, such as blood pressure, a medication order or a problem list, and look at how it’s defined. No account is needed to browse.

    Open the Clinical Knowledge Manager

  3. Become a reviewer1 hour a month

    Register on CKM and say which areas you know. When an archetype in your field goes out for review, you’ll be invited to comment. Reviews are online, take about an hour, and need clinical knowledge only, with no technical skills. This is the single most valuable way most clinicians contribute.

    Register on CKM

  4. Learn the basics of modellingA few days

    Ready to go further? Learn how archetypes and templates are built. Courses from recognised openEHR educators cover clinical modelling, and you can practise in Archetype Designer, a free web-based tool.

    Training and coursesArchetype DesignerThe science of clinical modeling

  5. Model for your organisationOngoing

    If your organisation uses openEHR, join the team that builds its templates: the forms and data sets your colleagues use every day. Your role is to make sure they match how care is actually delivered.

    Where openEHR is usedModelling tools

  6. Help lead openEHROngoing

    Experienced modellers can become CKM editors, join the Clinical Program Board, apply for the Fellowship Program, or speak at events and EHRCON.

    Clinical Program BoardFellowship ProgramEvents

Not sure about the jargon? Ask on the Clinical category of Discourse. Clinicians who started exactly where you are now are happy to help.

Keep learning

Get help

  • Ask on Discourse

    Clinicians, modellers and editors answer questions every day.

  • Join openEHR

    Individual membership is €23.50 a year and gives you a vote.

  • Contact us

    Tell us about your interest and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Where next?

openehr.org