You are young and therefore computer literate? Then your 'intranet' should not pose a problem. Two or Three workstations, the Amazing Charts working "peer to peer" and you in the room with a basic (<$1,000) laptop? I would not scrimp on the 'all in one' as the larger, (more expensive initially) commercial units will have substantially lower operating costs and greater durability. Look at HP 2840 (about $900.00) and then try to find something even better. (LOL)
Agree ABSOLUTELY on the EKG and Spiro. My spirometer is nearly 20 years old, but I don't think it has paid off yet. I would replace it immediately if it breaks, because I can afford to and I like the info it gives me. But I could do all I need in the office with the pulse Ox (get one) and a peak flow meter. Send the patient to the hospital for the PFT's.
Are you familiar with the "Medical Home" concept of health care. Adopted by the academy of Family Practice about 2002 (I think) this is really a big deal. You can't achieve it without an EMR (in my opinion) and your ability to practice quality care in the 21'st century is limited without it. That should be your hook for the Newspaper story. What is a "Medical Home", why it is important, what it will do for the patient and what you are doing to provide it. Some aspects of this are not easy for the lay person to grasp. When I explain that we are attempting to manage ALL RECORDS, including the CT Scan done in Las Vegas when they fell and hit their head on that slot machine, and now that I have all the records, including meds, allergies, consults, surgical history and the last EKG, and I can get access 24-7 and FAX those records to an Emergency Room anywhere in the U.S. I can see the recognition spread across the patients face. This is really a big deal, a huge change in the tools that we can bring to the practice of medicine. An EMR is every bit as important a tool for the practice of medicine as a stethoscope and that is not hyperbole.
As for marketing, just think how many Drs. in your town are being quoted as saying, "EMR? Why would I, I'm going to retire before I would ever get any return on that investment." Bingo, you have planted a seed that will have a high yield for your practice.
Finally, GOOD LUCK and try to have fun with it!
