Are you using them like the 17% of physicians in the U.S.?
Are you waiting for CMS to give you a financial incentive to do so?
Perhaps your experience is similar to what is cited in this physician article. The essence is that small practices don’t see the return on investment especially when you consider the large ramp up time to become efficient. Makes sense to me-large investment, can’t pass cost to customers (patients) and payors could care less. Also makes sense to me that physicians are looking to CMS to provide a subsidy (after all, banks and auto manufacturers have already received theirs!).
Return on investment is very difficult to determine with EMR. It’s only savings if it is realized. Are you willing to eliminate costly transcription labor? Are therapists willing to adopt? Can your auditing process be streamlined? Can it enhance scheduling compliance? Can you capture more units?
My experience began several years ago with an ASP model player. It worked but therapists spent less time with patients and were generally and understandably frustrated. We went back to pen, paper, and templates. Therapists were happier, patient time was perhaps better spent, revenue suddenly was “lost” (“peace corps effect).
A few years back, we switch back to a laptop model. Tough integration but beneficial. Therapists can document on the fly rather than back in the office on a desktop. Excellent return on investment but patient loyalty scores suffered as therapists were looking at laptops rather than patients. A communication model was integrated to teach therapists skills in behavior modeling and patient engagement while using technology. Loyalty scores improved. Scheduling is easier. Revenue is better.
That’s the good news. Unfortunately, it is still expensive, payors could care less, and there are more rules by different payors than ever making disruption more common and upgrades more of an on-going necessity.
At least the laptop did replace the stopwatch for medicare patients (only because it can do both!).
What’s your experience and suggestions? With CMS and administrative changes forthcoming, EMR might be a mandate.
