I don't think things are quite so bad. Yes, some mistakes have been made on AC's part. The first was biting off more than they could chew with practice management. Perhaps Jon B and the developers may have reached a point where they must decide whether this is a project that requires further tweaking and postponement, or whether it will require a more fundamental rewrite of the program code. This is largely speculation on my part, but I suspect that this is the reason for the silence regarding release dates. In any case, the delay or even failure to develop a practice management module would not be the death knell of AC, even if that were to occur. Sure, we all can't survive without a process to do our billing, and we would love to have it integrated into Amazing Charts. Meanwhile, we all have some other process in place for getting it done. It would obviously be helpful for Amazing Charts to share with us more about what the plans are for ultimate release of the product, but in the meantime, we can make do with what we have. There is no reason to consider abandoning the EMR.
A second issue is a lack of communication. Or perhaps a better way of putting it would be "a failure to recognize how important communication is to the rest of us". For years, both on this board and in private, users have requested some sort of regular communication from the company, perhaps in the form of a newsletter or regular emailing of news. The brief updates here by Jon B are worthwhile, but they are not enough for many of us. This need is especially acute now, with the uncertainty surrounding the sale to Pri-Med. Further, most of us are solo or small practice docs, surrounded by the great majority of our colleagues who now work either for a hospital or for a big group, using bulky, expensive EMR's. We are generally out here on our own, to some extent relying on AC and the community of other users. Regular communication from the company is therefore particularly important. I think that Jon B recognizes this to some extent but underestimates its importance. This problem could certainly be fixed much more easily and inexpensively than the first one. Hopefully the addition of a director of product strategy represents a course change in terms of communication as well.
The purchase by Pri-Med raises an additional set of issues. We are left to wonder what the future holds. Perhaps there is some turmoil and anxiety at company headquarters as well. I came away from discussions with a couple of Pri-Med people and Jon B at the Pri-Med meeting in December with the opinion that the company will go forward, much as it has, with the addition of some much-needed assets. I don't think I am being na?ve about this. While I recognize that some disruption is inevitable, I do believe the final outcome will be a favorable one.
So is the "AC apocalypse" coming? Keeping in mind that I am speaking to a group whose motto might be "you can't have too many backups", I think it's perfectly natural to think about other strategies. On the other hand, I don't think this is a time where we need to implement a disaster plan. Some of these issues can be put to rest fairly quickly and easily; others may take a little time. Meanwhile, the end is NOT near.
