| Electronic medical records, or EMRs, are being | | | | working. That way, the time spent on learning the |
| touted as the way of the future for physicians | | | | new software is significantly reduced, which |
| keeping patient records. They would cut down on | | | | enables a smooth transition to a new way of |
| the amount of paper used and storage space | | | | record-keeping. The more familiar a software is |
| required for traditional hard-copy records. The | | | | to users, the less time they'll have to spend |
| government is even sponsoring a pilot project | | | | learning it. |
| that would give higher Medicare payments to | | | | Why you need multiple customizations in EMR |
| doctors that converted to an EMR system. | | | | software |
| As good as it sounds, getting physicians to change | | | | You've already been asked to change the way |
| to electronic medical records is slow going. Two | | | | you've always done things, so it's not too much |
| of the biggest reasons that physicians are | | | | to ask that your software grows and changes |
| resisting the change to EMR software are | | | | with you as you find new, more efficient ways of |
| workflow disruption and the cost of training on a | | | | doing things. EMR software that allows for multiple |
| new system. | | | | customizations not only makes it easier for |
| For many, it's not just about the money, although | | | | multi-doctor clinics to adopt, but it also enables |
| the financial investment in EMR software can be | | | | you to continue to change the configuration as |
| substantial. It's about behavior modification. People | | | | you learn what works and what doesn't. |
| like to do things the way they've always done | | | | If you're part of a multi-doctor clinic, look for EMR |
| them, without significant disruption. However, in | | | | software that allows multiple customizations. That |
| order to make things better for customers, you | | | | way, each doctor can continue keeping records |
| have to sometimes find a better way of doing | | | | the way he's most accustomed to, which will help |
| things. | | | | ease your clinic's transition to using electronic |
| This is where the customization of EMR software | | | | medical records. |
| comes in. Rather than having to adapt to EMR | | | | Not all EMR software allows this kind of |
| software, you can make the software adapt to | | | | customization. Some will charge you each time |
| you. Finding EMR software that allows extensive | | | | you need to customize the software, where |
| customization will help make the transition to | | | | others won't allow for customization at all. Rather |
| electronic medical records as smooth as possible. | | | | than the software fitting into the flow of your |
| Breaking old habits | | | | practice, you have to disrupt everybody's rhythm |
| The idea of learning something new isn't always a | | | | to accommodate the software. |
| pleasant one, especially if you've grown | | | | For a quick and painless transition to electronic |
| accustomed to a certain way of doing things. This | | | | medical records, make sure you find EMR |
| is especially true in offices with multiple doctors, | | | | software that offers all the customization options |
| where each physician has a different way of | | | | that you need. Whether you're a solo practitioner |
| working, and trying to compromise is only slightly | | | | or just one of many doctors in a health clinic, |
| harder than pulling teeth without anesthetic. | | | | customization in an EMR software will allow you to |
| Customization in EMR software can make it easier | | | | get your practice running just the way it was in a |
| to adopt the new system. You can customize the | | | | matter of weeks, rather than months. |
| software to work the way that you're used to | | | | |