Tomorrow’s Rheumatology Practice Software TODAY

What is Rheumatology Software?

At a basic level, rheumatology software electronically stores rheumatology-patient medical information. Ideally, the software not only takes into account the unique needs of rheumatologists, it also helps them spend more time with patients. But no matter how modern or feature-filled an electronic medical record (EMR) is, unless it easily integrates with all other software used in the rheumatology practice, it’s not a good choice.

Tomorrow’s Software Today

Today’s patients expect simple, fast, multi-channel communication with all their providers, along with virtual visits when appropriate. To keep up, rheumatology practices must provide secure text and chat for appointment making, automated appointment reminders, electronic registration, mobile check-in, telehealth connected to EHR, and automated e-billing and statements.

6 Ways Modern EHRs Benefit Rheumatologists

1. Simplify coding. EMRs that are difficult to learn, counterintuitive to use, and require multiple steps for simple tasks can lead to physician burnout. Indeed, a 2021 Medscape survey found that rheumatology has the second-highest burnout level of the 29 specialties included in the survey. Rheumatologists need software that improves efficiency by quickly leading them through the process to enter, for example, a type and location of bursitis or an arthritis category.
2. Streamline e-prescribing. Rheumatology patients are often prescribed a variety of medications, so robust e-prescribing is essential to rheumatology software. EMRs with a strong focus on drug interactions lower the need for manual mediation reconciliation and help patients avoid harmful drug interactions.
3. Improve care coordination. Given the number of rheumatology patients that need to be tracked over long periods, care coordination is a critically important aspect of a rheumatology.
4. Speed up image and document transfer. Look for an EMR that lets images, lab tests, and current patient prescriptions be easily viewed on a variety of devices.
5. Improve practice management. Features like note-taking templates, PQRI reporting functions, clinical decision support, and patient-progress dashboards all help rheumatologists create practice-specific workflows that help them spend more time with patients and less on administrative tasks.
6. 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 revenue from patient balances and unpaid claims; benchmark your reimbursement rates; and help you understand how to increase patient satisfaction, increase revenue on routine appointments, and reduce no-shows.

What’s the Biggest Mistake Rheumatologists Make When Choosing an Office Solution?

No matter how modern or feature-filled a system is, unless it is integrated with all other office software used in the rheumatology clinic, it will not be able to give you the granular data you need for RCM. Put simply, the rheumatology software you select should help 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 internal and external labs and test devices

Lastly, the rheumatology office system should be able to quickly integrate with patient-facing systems such as patient portals and personal electronic medical records.

Sources:

1. Collins, Thomas. “Experts Offer Tips for Saving Time on Electronic Medical Records.” The Rheumatologist, 15 April 2020. https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/experts-offer-tips-for-saving-time-on-electronic-medical-records/
2. Calabrese, Leonard. “Rheumatology and Burnout: Causes, Concerns and Hope.” Healio Rheumatology, 22 January 2019. https://www.healio.com/news/rheumatology/20190114/rheumatology-and-burnout-causes-concerns-and-hope
3. Collins, Thomas. “Medscape Survey Suggests 50% of Rheumatologists Experience Burnout.” The Rheumatologist, 13 May 2021. https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/medscape-survey-suggests-50-of-rheumatologists-experience-burnout/
4. Adams, Mark. “Rheumatology EMR Software Buyers Guide 2021.” EMRFinder.com, 14 Sept 2021. https://www.emrfinder.com/rheumatology-emr/
5. Hudson, Oliver. “Best Rheumatology EMR Software Buyer’s Guide 2021. EMRSystemsnet, 28 October 2021. https://www.emrsystems.net/rheumatology-emr/
6. Ibid.
7. Appold, Karen. “Choose the Right HER the 1^st Time.” The Rheumatologist, 20 October 2016. https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/choose-right-ehr-1st-time/3/