PRESENT New Docs on the Block Untitled Document

by Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Joined practice of
John K Throckmorton,DPM,PC
Lansing, Michigan
July 2006

As a podiatry student and resident, I worked with several different electronic medical records (EMR) programs. Whether it was in someone�s private office, the VA system, or hospitals I was exposed to several different systems. For much of my training, using these methods was another part of training, more of a short term exercise than anything permanent. I didn�t seriously consider their use in private practice. It was something in the future that I knew would be a factor, but I would consider it at a later date. Well, only 6 months into my practice life, the date�s arrived.

Recently I had the opportunity to participate in an online demonstration of an electronic medical records system offered by Integrated Physician Systems (IPS) called Electronic Healthcare System Care Revolution (EHS) www.ips-med.com . In a nutshell, it looks like the future of medical records and charting. This is an online service that holds all of the patient data, appointments, billing, etc. It also has full charting capabilities that allow you to dictate (if you use something like Dragon Naturally Speaking) or use a comprehensive check box system to create patient notes. This system estimates your level of coding (good for those who don�t have much coding experience) which eliminates the need for data entry (and less overhead). The system includes many intelligent charting templates for common podiatric diagnoses created by several physicians (with the option to create your own). Additionally, all templates created by others are available to the entire community of users. The system can even provide suggestions for a differential diagnosis if you come up short.

Overall, the system is truly revolutionary with only a few drawbacks I can identify. It is a fully online system with the HIPPA compliant patient information warehoused in Alabama, so the obvious power outage risks and Internet connection breaks exist. Payment for use is based on a percentage of the practice income. Personally, I�d prefer a flat rate, although for new practitioners starting out, this would make great sense. Additionally, there�s the learning curve, which is intrinsic to all EMR programs. I�ve spoken to quite a few people about this, and they all say it�s easier to use once you put in some time. Really, these are superficial problems that don�t affect its quality to any significant degree. This system is worth your review. To the residency programs, I�d recommend getting in touch with these folks and having them do an online demonstration for you. It�s very professionally done and will leave you with the same sense of excitement that I had.

Here�s my dilemma. I�m still stuck in the past. My boss has been around for quite some time and is used to hand writing his charts, so I�m stuck with this for now. I�m working on convincing him to at least allow me to use the Dragon dictation software, but it�s an uphill battle. We use computer patient data and billing software, but that�s the extent of our technology. Change is a slow and often painful process, so if you can start with this system you�ll have less pain in the long run. Best wishes.

Talk to me,

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT New Docs Editor
[email protected]

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This program is supported by an education grant from
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