Practice Insights

By now you may have researched many EMRs and figured that most of the systems more or less have similar features, but some are easier to use than the others or have a better work flow. Depending upon whether the system is web-based or desktop bound, the cost can also vary considerably. As many small practices have painfully discovered, the real value of the EMR lies in more than just the software. Post-implementation support and tailoring of the EMR to your needs is as critical if not more. In order of importance, the following three complaints frustrate physicians the most:

1. Poor technical support - can't talk to a human
2. Too many clicks - takes much longer to see a patient
3. Not to my style of practice - one canned EMR fits all

By the time you experience these frustrations, it is often too late to do anything about it. So, how do you choose a good EMR fit for your practice?

The following few tips could guide you:

1. Decision based solely on lower cost is seldom wise. Remember, there is no such thing as free lunch. Find good value for your money.
2. Trial run the system and the company through their paces for one or more months, even if you have to pay for it. You will quickly find out if this marriage will work out for you.
3. Do not hesitate to demand that vendor adapt the system to your preference and needs. Good vendors would do it willingly and perhaps at no cost to you.
4. Compared with the larger vendors, smaller companies often are very responsive, offer a cutting edge product, and more interested in working with you.

I hope you have made a wise choice in selecting the right EMR for your practice. If you have not, it is better to bail out early than to put up with it. It will frustrate you, slow you down, and cost you more in the long run. If you are still shopping, do not follow the herd blindly, do your own dilligence.

nAbleMD EMR/PM and the team behind it is a real jewel in the rough, a rare combination of strong support and high quality software. It is customized to your needs at the time of implementaiton at no cost to you and priced affordably for solo to small practices. Why not try it at no obligation and enjoy being a doctor again, as many of your colleagues have discovered.