Tomorrow’s Dermatology Practice Software TODAY

What is Dermatology Software?

All dermatology software electronically stores patient medical information, but today’s advanced software takes into account the unique needs of dermatologists so they can spend more time with patients. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that no matter how modern or feature-filled an electronic medical record (EMR) is, unless it easily integrates with all other software used in the dermatology practice—everything from appointment scheduling to billing software—it’s not a good choice.

Tomorrow’s Software Today

Dermatology patients expect fast, simple, multi-channel communication with all their providers, and many want the option of a virtual visit when appropriate.

To fulfill their expectations, dermatology practices need to provide secure text and chat for appointment making, automated appointment reminders, electronic registration, mobile check-in, telehealth connected to the practice’s EMR, and automated e-billing and statements.

Of course, if providers don’t believe the software benefits them and improves the patient experience, its enhanced features matter very little. In a 2020 survey conducted by the National Society for Cuaneous Medicine, the majority of dermatologists expressed a negative about their EMR. They said EMRs decrease face-to-face time with patients and negatively impact their clinical efficiency.

5 Ways a Modern EMR Benefits Dermatologists

1. Simplify coding. EMRs that are difficult to learn, counterintuitive to use, and require multiple steps for simple tasks quickly lead to physician burnout. With dermatologists performing multiple procedures each day, coding and billing for this specialty are some of the most complex in healthcare. Dermatology practices need software that improves efficiency by quickly leading providers through the process to enter, for example, a biopsy type or surgical preparation category.
2. Facilitate lab work. Dermatologists rely heavily on lab and image tests to determine pathology and diagnose skin conditions. EHRs with a strong focus on lab integration automate that process, reducing physician time spent on administration and accelerating test-result delivery.
3. Streamline image recording. Creating and recording images is critical to dermatologists, as is follow-up and post-op image comparison. EMRs tailored to dermatologists include advanced image recording recording features and help simplify image comparison.
4. Improve practice management. Features like note-taking templates, digital graphing, simplified charting, and patient-progress dashboards all help dermatologsts create customized workflows that help them spend more time with patients and less on administrative tasks.
5. Improve revenue cycle management (RCM). You may think you need more staff or expertise to solve your A/R issues—the truth is today’s technology can identify and fix lost revene from patient balances and unpaid claims; benchmark your reimbursement rates; and help you understand how to increase patient satisfaction, increase revenue on appointments, and reduce no-shows.

What Is the Biggest Mistake Dermatologists Make When Choosing Practice Management Software?

No matter how feature-rich a system is, unless it fully integrates with all other office software used in your dermatology clinic, it will not be able to give you the granular data you need for RCM. Put simply, the dermatology software you select should you’re your providers:

• Provide in-office and remote patient care
• Quickly create superbills
• Easily track revenue to avoid leaks
• Create customized notetaking templates
• Create dashboards to track patient progress
• Easily gather data from a variety of imaging devices

Lastly, the EMR should be able to quickly integrate with all of your patient-facing systems, including patient portals and personal electronic medical records.