Jon,
This issue is a little bit different, or a *lot* different, depending on the mechanics behind the new encryption process. Any procedural change that puts distance between a user and their data is a huge deal, at least in my mind. ... Access to data is how wars are won and lost in the IT arena. It goes without saying that all the people who went with outfits like Practice Fusion are now lamenting that decision. They'll go where their data takes them, led around by their noses.
Jon - I'll take your advice, give them the benefit of the doubt, and take a wait-and-see approach. But if I sense a theme that we're not happy with, it'll be time to halt all updates and shop around for a new EHR.
Gianni, I understand and I am with you. I share your concerns about data ownership and your analogy to PF is appropriate. AC has a history of a rather unique approach to this; one that is quite important to many of us. We own our charts and data. Period. In prior discussions with AC regarding their data-sharing and ownership policies, some of us argued this point quite forcefully (ask John Squire; he will tell you I can be quite a PITA about it). What I learned though is that the company is quite committed to keeping us in control of our data.
AC has a user base of thousands, and they sometimes overlook the sizable - and vocal - group that is very "hands-on" with the EMR. So in an effort to improve security, they made changes presumably without recognizing their full impact. Many users simply want a "set and forget" back-up that is secure; I suspect that was the goal here. Many of us want (and will insist on) more than that, though.
At the least, they should have clearly notified everyone of these "procedural" changes. In fact though, they should recognize that what seems like a minor shift has significant implications. In addition to what is stated by others above, AC now becomes a subscription product. Annual purchase of support essentially becomes a requirement.
And as ryanjo says, "They are still OUR databases, I assume?". I am sure that AC will say that they are: but what does it mean to own a database that you cannot access?
Current AC users need to be able to set-up a new computer and install the program AND restore a back-up (either as a test or in a real "disaster") without relying on AC support (at least, as support stands now).
We should push hard for this: past experience tells me that the company will respond appropriately.
