Kimberly Mullen
There are over hundreds of Dermatology Electronic Medical Records Software (EMR) vendors in the market to choose from, a staggering number for medical practices, especially dermatologists. This guide should help you narrow down the field and select the EMR software right for your practice.
Dermatologists specialize in treating skin conditions. The bulk of their recording is lab and image tests so patient records need to be kept up to date. Paper records are prone to get lost or being disorganized. Dermatology EHR software makes it easier to digitize the records so they are easy to organize and secure.
Everything else being the same, there are some features that are unique to Electronic Medical Records software targeted especially for a dermatology practice.
Specific Templates – Because there are certain characteristics to dermatology the EHR software already has templates for them in the software to make every case easier to navigate
Comparison Imaging – Dermatology is heavily reliant on imaging. EHR software targeted towards dermatologists has advanced image recording as well as before and after comparisons to track progress, making it easier to sync with a digital camera.
Coding – The nature of diseases is changing with new disease rearing their heads more often than not. Generic Electronic Medical Records software (EMR) can’t always keep up with ICD-9 or ICD-10 coding for these diseases. Specialty-specific software needs to be up-to-date with these codes.
Digital Graphing – Not every dermatological case is the same. Since it's a visual specialty the EMR software should support a form of graphic charting with a digital-pen, or touch screen drawing boards to make graphics charting easier.
Charting Progress – With the whole visual field of pictures and graphics drawings at your fingertips it makes it easier to analyze a patient’s history and progress reports within minutes.
Now that you’ve narrowed down all the vendors that provide dermatology EMR software you need to narrow the selection down to those that fill your requirements as a specialty as well as a medical practice.
Size – Some vendors cater better to large practices while some are best suited to smaller ones. EMR software is designed keeping a certain number of users, scalability, and support required in mind. When selecting a vendor to keep in mind the size of your practice.
System Design – The choice, essentially, is between the installation of the software in your on-site computer server, or cloud-based software that is available anywhere via the Internet. Which system a practice goes for depends on their personal choice and comfort level. Some doctors feel more comfortable having the system on their computer server because they feel this is more compliant with HIPAA requirements, while others need to have access to their database wherever they are. You’ll need to shortlist vendors who fulfill your needs in this department.
Certification – It makes sense to make sure the software you’re going to purchase is certified. For dermatology, the certification you should be looking out for is by the ONC-Authorized Testing and Certification Body (“ONC-ATCB”). They are responsible for making sure your vendor meets Meaningful Use objectives and is HIPAA compliant.
Electronic Medical Records Software or commonly referred to as EHR Software represents the electronic method of storing medical records for patients. Using specially designed software, physicians and other medical professionals can store anything ranging from patient demographics to extensive clinical information about patients, such as medical history, social history, lab reports and more.
Since all medical providers (MDs, DOs, PAs, NPs, LCSW, OT etc.) work in a distinct manner based on their background and medical specialty, EMR Software or EHR Software must accommodate the unique style and documentation requirements. Examples of such specialty-specific features include the ability to annotate on images or capability to store before/after photos for Pain Management specialists and Dermatology specialists respectively. Similarly, other specialties such as Pediatrics, Oncology, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Nephrology, Dialysis Centers, Rheumatology and Chiropractic Care require their unique set of specialty-specific features to simplify adoption.
Since the introduction of the HITECH Act, healthcare IT has undergone a massive transition starting from the widely recognized Meaningful Use program to what is now known as MACRA, the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. The Meaningful Use program has transformed and now formed part of the four components of the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), which itself is a fundamental part of MACRA.
For some medical practices, the transition from paper-based records to EMR Software (Electronic Medical Records Software) has not been a simple one. Regardless, realizing that the benefits of utilizing ONC Certified EMR Software far outweigh the hassle and challenges associated with it - ensuring a viable future, most practices today have successfully transformed their clinical and administrative operations to EMR Software.
Aside from ensuring tangible financial incentives and profitability, practices converting to EMR / EHR Software have seen the following benefits:
Just like a medical specialty, EHR Software requirements also depend on the size of the medical practice. From solo provider clinics to large multi-provider, multi-specialty clinics, every practice has unique inherent challenges that must be addressed by the EMR Software vendor.
A small doctor’s office not only has a limited number of staff members but their EMR Software budgets are also extremely low compared to a large enterprise such as a hospital. Due to these budgetary constraints, many providers simply choose to employ Free EMR Software or choose an affordable EHR Software vendor with a low fixed monthly fee. Cloud-based access is one such important requirement so that these providers can access patient charts even from home when needed.
These practices usually consist of 5 to 10 medical providers often belonging to the same medical specialty. Their requirements are more stringent, while their budget is also considerably large. Aside from specialty-focused requirements (EHR Software by Specialty), these practices also require unique features such as interoperability, dedicated customer support, multi-device support as well as extensive reporting functionality to keep an eye on the overall performance of the practice.
Larger group practices generally comprise more fifteen or often twenty medical providers. These practices usually provide medical services that fall under various medical specialties (Orthopedics, Pain Management, Surgery, Chiropractic Medicine, Family Medicine etc.). Therefore, these practices require support for multiple users to access the system simultaneously, as well as for the Scheduling software to accommodate multiple locations, providers and resources such as Dialysis Chairs, procedure room allocation etc. These practices also keep replacing or adding staff members and need a scalable solution.
EHR software companies such as Epic, Cerner, AllScripts, NextGen, Athenahealth, IMS by Meditab, eClinicalWorks, Meditech, McKesson, MEDHOST etc. usually target and provide solutions for larger corporations like Hospitals, ACOs, PCMH, IPAs, CINs (Clinically Integrated Networks), Public Health Departments etc.
These customers have the most elaborate list of requirements, which are usually documented in the form of an RFI or RFP to assess and shortlist vendors that can meet them. The requirements consist of features like inventory management modules, interface with local labs (LIS), machines and diagnostic equipment along with drug dispensing (pharmacy management software) and electronic medication administration records (EMAR) etc.
These entities also require the EHR software also need to integrate with multiple other software and medical devices.
Since the introduction of Meaningful Use, most healthcare practices simply have little or no choice but to convert their practice operations to EHR software. However, most providers today select the EHR software of their choice that best suits their specific needs and must perform an extensive search to evaluate all available options before they find one that is suitable. Most potential EMR Software buyers in the market today have the following in common:
Although #3 is ideal, every provider and practice workflows are unique and therefore what works for one provider may not suit the other. “One size fits all” simply doesn't apply in the world of healthcare IT. Software experts and industry specialists are an ideal source of information, advice and ultimately ensuring that the right decision is made.
EMR software includes several types of software based on specific applications or functionalities:
Small doctor offices benefit the most from cloud-based EMR Software technology since minimum to no upfront cost or maintenance is required and accessing the EHR Software is possible from any location given the availability of internet access. This type of EMR software is also device dependent in most cases and can be accessed using devices such as Smartphones (Android & iOS), iPhones, iPads, laptops, and desktop computers. The move to the public cloud for healthcare is vital in the current changing landscape. For practices that do not adopt new cloud services, the old inferior feature-set coupled with the higher prices will hinder the business dramatically. This gulf between the old software and the new cloud-based software will only grow more exponentially as time goes on.
Apple dominates the digital device and computers market in the US today, so it is no surprise that many providers are specifically looking for their EMR Software vendor to support Mac operating system (Mac EMR Software). Not all Vendors today work on a Mac device, so looking for a vendor with native support for Mac devices is essential to ensure that the software performs on existing hardware at the practice and does not require more investment in computer systems.
This is the most significant requirement for most software buyers today as the software must comply with the standards and guidelines set by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC). Online repository details all software vendors and details related to their respective compliance with the measures set by the ONC (Click here). Software that complies with these standards have undergone rigorous testing and confirmed at a benchmark level defined by the federal body. The software testing done during this exercise checks all areas of the EMR Software system from Patient Portal access to the way the EHR Software communicates with other programs and entities like labs, Pharmacies (via e-Rx), hospitals, HIEs etc.
Electronic health records software (EHR) for certain specialties such as Dermatology must provide unique tools to document the clinical workflow of those specialists such as specifying the area of concern (graphical annotation capabilities) and should provide more than a simple method of capturing / scanning images, text or raw data.
With competition rising in healthcare IT, EMR software providing integrated Practice Management software as part of their overall software package easily outperform rivals with standalone EHR Software including those that may provide a specialty-specific EHR software. EMR Software companies with integrated Practice Management solutions often tend to provide extensive reporting capabilities to track practice performance and manage the business operations better.
Medical practice has several needs of software systems to streamline operations across the board. One such important area is billing for services rendered and communications with insurance companies. Medical Billing Software, therefore, works best when integrated with the Electronic Health Records software. All clinical documentation seamlessly conforms to the required standard and forms a financial document that can be electronically sent to payers (insurance carriers) to verify and process at their end. This simplifies the operations and ensures all parties are on the same page when it comes to the financial health of the enterprise. Medical billing software helps practices and medical billing managers generate claims, patient statements, verify patient eligibility and more. This software is ideal for practices that want to handle billing in-house and can integrate with EMRs.
An EMR Software must ensure the security and safety of patient records while ensuring privacy and HIPAA compliance for patient/doctor communication (Patient Portal). This is a paramount concern for physicians and HIPAA compliance should be guaranteed at all times by the EHR Vendor. Most Vendors today (Epic, Cerner, Athenahealth, AdvancedMD, PrognoCIS, Modernizing Medicine, eClincalWorks etc.) are aware of the importance of HIPAA compliance and have taken steps to ensure the safety of patient records security in every section of the EHR Software using advanced tools like data encryption technologies to enhance the security of the EMR software.
One of the decisions your practice will have to make is whether you want just an EMR software or one with an integrated Practice Management for billing and scheduling. There are advantages to having both together but there have been cases where some practices only go for one if they had unique requirements that a vendor could not fulfil, or they had already paid a hefty amount for a PM software and weren't looking to replace it yet.
Doctors are not IT professionals, and though some might be tech savvy, it would be egregious to expect them all to be experts on the EHR software. Ease of use is essential to make the transition from paper to electronic smooth, as well as day to day practice to go along without a hitch. If the software is too complicated and hard to understand, it is a waste of precious time and needlessly aggravating. Some vendors offer free training while others don't; make sure you ask for training if your practice needs it.
Not all specialties are created equal, so why must their software be generic? Basic EHR software works well and good for general practice and most specialties, but doctors have complained about specialty specific not being available in the market. The specialty software have inbuilt recording systems that make specialty practices functioned efficiently. Only a few vendors provide specialty-specific software, so there aren't many to choose from. But the more vendors are cottoning on to the demand and there should be more options in the near future.
Support is a major issue most practices have with their current vendors. A good support team can make small glitches to major roadblocks easy to maneuver while a bad one will just make things worse. Some vendors provide support as part of the plan you're already paying for, while others charge extra for support. Scout the market, read reviews or just ask point blank if there will be a special support team assigned to each practitioner and whether you'll be charged for the service.
There are varying price lists out there, some offer free services, while others charge an arm and a leg for specialty services. Either way there will be hidden costs that you might get to know about later. Fix your budget and talk to vendors you interview about hidden costs within the contract and whether services such as training and support are free.
Smartphones have changed the dynamics of mobile usage. Handheld devices are easy to carry around and can be used for any number of uses. Most people are ditching the cumbersome PC for a handheld device. Doctors mostly use iPads or Tablets in the examination room to take down patient symptoms, check the history and note down the prescription, so it's imperative that the vendor has a mobile application that is synced with all the mobile devices being used in the practice.
Like anything else, the EMR software industry is also subject to constant changes. From new technology to legalities and governing bodies, everything is constantly changing. Here are some of the changes that could do well for you and help you to keep track of.
At a previously held health care conference Andy Slavitt, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services had declared that Meaningful Use was over, and would be replaced by the end of that year with something better. But, a deeper look into the claims revealed that meaningful use was very much still there, only much improved.
The new measures aim to make the reporting and benchmark for reaching the required reports much easier and laxer than under Meaningful Use, along with other changes.
As the CMS has officially renamed Meaningful Use to "Promoting Interoperability" as of 2018, its important to understand its updated principles. Effective interoperability of healthcare data will ensure that electronic health information is shared properly between healthcare and public health partners in the right format and at the right time. In the beginning of 2022, the CMS required all eligible healthcare services to implement upgraded versions of EHR software that utilize this updated definition.
It was revealed in previous research how only 25% of practitioners were interested in a web-based model and only 50% were willing to have it as an initial model that was to eventually transition to cloud-based. But now it's established how cloud-based EMR software cuts down on steep upfront costs for client-servers and can be hosted on any device that has a web-browser. It's no surprise how more and more vendors are transitioning to cloud-based software also because the industry demands are changing.
In 2024, the demand for EMR software solutions for healthcare practices has continued to rise, with market growth estimated at around 6-7% year-over-year as healthcare providers increasingly prioritize digital transformation and interoperability. This increase is largely driven by the adoption of advanced technologies like AI and cloud computing within these systems, which enhance clinical workflows and patient care. Epic Systems has expanded its dominance, now capturing over 35% of the market, particularly among large multispecialty organizations. Meanwhile, Oracle Health (formerly Cerner) has faced challenges, especially in retaining smaller hospitals, contributing to a slight decline in its market share. Together, major players like Epic, Oracle Health, Meditech and Allscripts account for a significant portion of the EHR market, reflecting the ongoing evolution and consolidation within the industry.
EMR software is rapidly expanding its capabilities to accommodate a broader range of practice types, making these systems more accessible across various healthcare settings. With an increasing number of healthcare professionals lacking specialized health IT knowledge and time to dedicate to complex systems, there is a growing demand for user-friendly and versatile EMR solutions. This trend necessitates the optimization of EHR platforms to meet diverse needs, from primary care to specialized medical fields. Experts, including Douglas W. Bowerman, MD, forecast a continued shift towards greater accessibility in EHR systems, emphasizing both ease of access through mobile platforms and broader user inclusivity. As Electronic Medical Records software solutions evolve, we can expect more intuitive interfaces and features that cater to healthcare providers and patients alike.
Healthcare facilities accumulate massive amounts of patient data. Patient health and financial data lets vendors help physicians with Clinical Decision Support (CDS). Leveraging analytics algorithm predictions can solve interoperability-related accessibility issues. Data warehouse development is also an opportunity to ensure more accurate patient data thanks to automation.
Despite being used more for cryptocurrency and a recent surge in NFT’s, the blockchain has recently found a place in EHR software. The blockchain allows EHR data to be secured through cryptography, making it available only to those who have access to it in the first place. As an example, the blockchain can validate clinical trial and claims results, track medicine distribution and prevent insurance fraud. Although the usage of blockchain in EHR had only just begun since the start of 2022, it is still being used to secure data and ensure confidentiality.
5G Networks are poised to become the forefront of data communication method in only a few years. They offer up to 100x the speed of contemporary 4G networks yet may still not integrate properly with the current state of healthcare. As it stands, there are many different formats available that are all competing to become the dominant method for EHR communication. As such, medical records are currently spread amongst these different formats; they are incompatible and so the various EHR systems cannot communicate at all. Until a standard is agreed upon, 5G networks will not be able to bypass the bottleneck created by two opposing systems.
The current standards that regulate EMR are very lax. Vendors end up having to pay millions in settlement fees due to false claims about meaningful use certifications. However, regulations are becoming far stricter and more transparent to prevent incidents like this happening again. The interface between physicians and medical billing coders will likely become more separate. This is because they both need access to completely unrelated pieces of information, so sharing the same regulations often leads to life - threatening miscommunication.
In order for EMR/EHR companies to continue to grow, it is going to require a lot more than simply using existing technology to diagnose your issues. Ensuring patients have consistent engagement throughout the scheduling process is imperative. One of the best ways to boost patient engagement is by increasing your outreach via different social mediums and making content more easily accessible, through patient communities for example. Giving physicians an insight into their patients health has become paramount and has recently been utilized by including data from smart devices in patient reports.
Technology is innovating on a daily basis and constantly influences electronic health records. For example, common AI virtual assistants are beginning to assist healthcare services, speeding up the diagnostic process and increasing efficiency. Other tech giants are also entering the healthcare field, such as Apple and Google. With their massive budgets, they have the ability to invest heavily in R&D without taking many risks. They have also already witnessed the issues that arise from the lack of interoperability in current iterations of EMR software, and are very unlikely to make the same mistakes. This competition is great for consumers and clinicians as it will force EHR vendors to rapidly modernize their systems with far more regular updates, meaning large-scale changes are on the horizon.
Despite promising patients access to medical records, this feature has not materialized on EHR systems as of yet. A study in 2019 found that only 10% of patients who had access to their records online actually accessed them; of them, 63% were encouraged to do so by their healthcare providers. In order to prepare for potential regulatory changes in the future, software developers are updating EHR systems to be easier to navigate and better fit the patients needs. Practices themselves are also now providing proper guidance and awareness about the importance of regularly checking one's own records in order to familiarize themselves before appointments.
EHR systems are the forefront supplier for paper-to-screen technology, so it is imperative for the software to be inclusive towards a wide range of digital capabilities. Implementing better use of data liquidity will allow data to be more accessible, increasing the EHR footprint. This can be done without sacrificing the security of the data. Implementing better interoperable solutions will also expand the footprint, allowing healthcare organizations to better access and exchange patient data.
Increasing the EHR footprint of medical practices has proven to massively improve both efficiency and savings for the industry. In 2005, a RAND study suggested that up to $77 billion could be saved by adopting EHR software. The study was so influential that previously, in 2022, more than 90% of hospitals have adopted complete use of EHR software in their practice.
In recent years, advancements in AI and machine learning have dramatically changed the healthcare industry. As these technologies continue to evolve, they are likely to have a significant impact on the future of EHR (Electronic Health Record) and EMR software. By leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms, EMR systems can become more intuitive and efficient, streamlining clinical workflows and improving patient outcomes. The application of AI and machine learning will also enable EMR systems to provide more personalized and proactive care, by analyzing patient data and identifying potential health issues early on. Additionally, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize clinical research and drug development by providing access to vast amounts of patient data and insights.
Digital Therapeutics involves software that can behaviorally alter patients and help treat mental conditions through the use of different interventions. Usually, digital therapeutics are used through smartphones and tablets. The software is quickly being integrated into EHR software and they aim to be more patient-centric. As they begin to meet industry requirements, their popularity will continue to rise and clinical trial results will continue to be published in peer-reviews journals.
In their current state, EHR and EMR software do not properly address medical error prevention. Previously, illegible handwriting on paper prescriptions were blamed, but over-reliance on computers to supply the correct doses for medication can prove to be equally as dangerous. For example, a 16-year old patient in 2013 was prescribed 38 tablets of medication, but it turned out to be an overdose for someone of that age. These sorts of errors are far more common than we would like to believe. In the future, EMR and EHR software developers are striving to dramatically reduce these errors by de-cluttering the physician notification center which could cause less time spent attending to patients. Currently, details such as patient implants may not be added to the system before radio-logical imaging since EHRs don't actually have a standard place to store notes.
One of the biggest hassles in dealing with current EMR / EHR software is being able to easily navigate through mountains of data. Despite large leaps in technology in recent years, EMR / EHR software is clearly behind in terms of its ease-of-use and User Interfaces. Electronic Health Records are designed for easier data access than paper files, and EMR vendors are starting to implement updated iterations of their user interface in their software to better achieve this goal.
Largely spearheaded by big tech companies such as Apple, wearable devices are surging in popularity in medical fields - the market is expected to grow 26.8% from 2022 till 2028.The devices have allowed healthcare metrics to become far more accessible and have, in turn, made medical diagnosis simpler. Integrating the data from wearable devices to Electronic Health Records (EHR) has the potential to massively improve patient healthcare. The devices include various different sensors that can track body activity and monitor environmental factors. Currently, they come in many different forms, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers and specialized apps on mobile phones.
The Healthcare industry is adapting the latest technologies not to only secure, but to also provide fast and easy access for patients to their own data. Patients need to be informed and engage timely so that they will have a better trust level with their provider. To achieve greater health outcomes, we will continue to see this trend for a longer period.
Electronic Medical Records don't offer patients the ability to access their own records across multiple healthcare organizations due to the lack of data-sharing standards set between different practices. This causes significant problems for patients who receive care for multiple different centers. The issue also makes diagnosis of patients harder for physicians and healthcare providers. Due to this, EMR/EHR providers are updating their software to include interoperability and integration features to allow data to be shared between these different organizations.
The specialty-specific Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software by Modernizing Medicine, EMA Mobile v. 5.10 have attained the ONC-Health IT Certification (2015 Edition Health IT Module). This certification was achieved through Drummond Group LLC which is an ACB (Authorized Certification Body) and is authorized for testing software for compliance with the federal government’s requirements. The approval stamp certifies that the EHR software provides the functionality that facilitates qualified hospitals and providers to fulfill the requirements of different regulations that entail the use of certifies EMR equipment.
