EMRs: Why free is not worth it.
Many care providers are reluctant to pursue the
implementation of EMR because they believe that an
investment in the solution does not justify the returns.
With the advent in technologies leading to innovative
software solutions, there is a high number of healthcare IT vendors selling a
diverse variety of EMRs.
There are free Electronic Medical Records available in the
market as well, but with anything cheap or of no cost, there is a hidden
price to pay. Free EMR have limited functionalists compared to vendors
who charge a price for their products – products that have been produced with
the help of cutting-edge research.
Essentially, a free EMR has
limited features, minimal customizability options, most like ad-supported which
can be distracting and quite a nuisance, usually lacking the capability of
being specialty specific, limited and minimal training and support, no practice
management software and no clinical decision support.
On the other hand, EMRs which are paid for actually have
enhanced features in the software solution, are highly customizable and care
providers can have it tailored to their specifications, do not involve
distracting advertisements, are capable of catering to single and
multi-specialty practices where there are different care providers working in
different specialties. Electronic Medical Records which are paid for also
mostly include a Practice Management Software, Clinical Decision Support and
back-ups to support the whole system.
Electronic Medical Records significantly contribute towards
the enhancement in clinical, administrative and financial workflows at the
practice.
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