I have been using an EMR for almost 10 years now. I was previously using another program which I liked very well at first because it was reasonably priced and satisfied my needs as a solo Internist. I started out printing off all my records and used the EMR basically as an alternative to transcription. I had intened to move to a totally paperless office but, I quickly found that I can actually find and review paper reports more quickly than I can when they are scanned into an electronic system. When my hospital went paperless and my time finding reports and dictations doubled, I reaffirmed my desire to keep my office notes printed out. When my system crashed about 2 years ago and I learned my IT guy had not set up the system to adequately back up the data I was left with corrupted electronic data but I still had all my printed notes!! When I went to update my server and my EMR software I found the EMR program I had been using was now trying to compete with the big boys...the annual user fee had almost doubled, it was loaded with bells and whistles which were of no use to my small practice, and they were unwilling to try and recapture my corrupted data. So, I ditched them and scoured around until I found AC. I have been very pleased for the most part in this program. I think it is well-adapted to smaller practices like mine and I hope it continues that way. I continue to print off my notes because who knows what the future will bring. No one will hold my records hostage should I become unhappy with this program!! The benefit of an EMR to me is that I can produce a legible record of my encounters, use templates, and have a searchable data base. I do use another PM program and have for about 10 years also and unfortunately they do not interface. But, we get along fine and the cost of these two programs together is still much less than what one would have to pay for an integrated program. In this day of disappearing reimbursements, I think we practitioners have to put our feet down and make it clear we cannot afford to be bilked any longer nor made to feel like we have no choice but to stay with a program into which we have invested years of data because it is difficult to transfer to other programs. JMO.
Anyway, I personally think AC is great for us common-folk, day in and day out practitioners.
Leslie Strouse, M.D.
