by Whether you’re loving or loathing the mandate to move all electronic health records online, it’s important to make a choice that will support your practice for the long run. Today we’re going to head back to school. Step into our laboratory and pull on a smock while we present you with a deep dive into the integrative medicine EMR platform. We’ll explain why an integrative EMR is optimal for integrative physicians. No scalpels required.
EMRs Here, EHRs There
The first thing we’re going to do is take a big, long look at our subject, arrayed on our specialty lab table. Many integrative medicine doctors have generic EMRs in place – so off the bat, some things may seem very similar. You’re tabbing, clicking, and mousing through screens that give you a little bit of information about your patient. In a way, generic EMRs are like an off-strip Las Vegas buffet. You’ll find a tiny bit of just about everything on there. You’re able to fill your plate, but if you’re looking to satisfy a specialty craving, you’re going to be out of luck. In the same vein, an electronic medical record platform built to appease the masses won’t address the unique clinical needs of functional medicine physicians.
The Power of the Patient
All EHRs make a cursory attempt at addressing the patient in the picture; after all, without the patient, there would be no medicine. But that’s one of the biggest differences between generic EMRs and an integrative medicine EMR solution. Point your stethoscope this way: integrative medicine EMRs are all about the patients. They focus on and enhance patient engagement by:
- Providing a robust functional medicine patient portal. This includes a 400 question health survey, giving you comprehensive insight into family history, lifestyle, preferences, supplement and nutrient use, and more.
- Optimizing functional medicine patient communication. You each get a secure portal through which to communicate private messages, accessible through any computer and mobile device.
- Putting patients in control of their integrative medicine patient treatment plans. A good EMR will free up your staff from time spent confirming appointments, resending lab test results, and refilling medication requests. Integrative medicine patients get the power to auto-confirm their own appointments, check test results, and request refills through the EMR.
Medications, Supplements, and Discounts
So there’s the patient layer, but what else can we see on our laboratory table? Some of the biggest “muscle” power in an integrative medicine EMR platform is how it helps you sell supplements and nutrients, a big part of any integrative medicine practice. Side by side on the table, the generic EMR just cannot compare. You don’t even need a microscope to see the differences:
- An alternative medicine specialty EMR has a database with thousands and thousands of essential supplements, plus compounds and traditional medications. If you can’t find it in your EMR, how can you sell it?
- Increase efficiency and dedicate more time to your patients with features such as Dragon Dictation and electronic scripting.
- Save on what you buy and what you prescribe through your EMR’s partnership with major laboratories and pharmacies. A generic EMR can’t offer you free access to 700+ suppliers and up to 40% off medical supplies, services, and equipment.
It’s an Exact Science
You’re not at the point where the law is going to mandate you have an EMR – yet. But why wait until your hand is forced and you are rushed to get something that may not be ideally suitable for your practice into place? Don’t hang up your lab coat just yet. If there’s more to the idea of a functional medicine EMR that you’d like us to slice into, or you’re ready to make the cut for yourself, let us customize a free, 30-minute demo for you and your team. Our EMR “laboratory technicians” will answer all of your questions and show you why Power2Practice is many cuts above the rest.
