Chiropractic Patient Care

So many chiropractors find themselves ensnared in software that never seems to change or advance. When a software organization makes that first sale they really don’t have any incentive to continue to develop the product to satisfy your changing needs. That’s a negative of buying a system verse a lease to own with a support package. They’re satisfied to have sold you software and often you’re left to work things out yourself. That’s fine if your computer savvy and have all the time in the world but as chiropractors we are trained to correct spinal subluxations not computer and software subluxations. A company that is aimed towards customer service will have a fantastic training program and follow up. You should also be provided with ongoing training very much like a lunch and learn program.

 This leads to the next question: How often is your software providing new versions? Maybe you have a software system that has a new upgrade every year and it’s simply to fix problems and add minor enhancements. You may decide not to update, those enhancements might even create trouble with the current way you use the system. There are many reasons why a company creates updates: 

1. To entice you to purchase upgrades

2. To fix problems

3. To add enhancements

Make sure you search for a software system that includes all your updates and has a concrete programming schedule. Put simply, they know where they’re going and how to get there.

 The hallmark of efficient software is one that is constantly evolving, adding new products and web services to meet the demands of growing companies. We need to change and adapt to new technology if we want to remain viable in this economy. Patients are expecting more and if you don’t meet those expectations, someone else down the street will. The software system you are using can make or break the patient’s perception in your office. Do you want to be known as old school or new school?

If your current software is meeting your needs and keeping up with all the available web services and advanced features then great. What happens when they’re not keeping up with new technology and you want to make a change?

Unfortunately so many office settle for second best simply because their scared to change or disrupt the office. What should you do and what are your options for making that shift? 

Locate a organization that will provide you with a information conversion for your current system. Is that possible and do organizations provide that type of service? From experience I can tell you that very few companies provide a information conversion and if they do it is very limited. If a conversion is available ask them beforehand what to expect from the conversion. It will require a larger investment in time on their part and your cooperation if they haven’t previously converted your system. You won’t know how much information is going to be converted until you receive the final result. Since your stepping into the unknown ask for previous conversion referrals.

If they don’t offer a conversion be prepared to hear one of these four common reasons why.

1.      Your current system is so outdated we can’t possibly retrieve any data.

2.      Your current system might be damaged and we don’t want to transfer corrupt data.

3.      Your data base is protected and we can’t access the database

4.      We simply don’t provide database conversions

If the company you’re looking at states any of the four above reasons what is your alternative? If you decide to go with this company you will be required to manually enter all your current patients’ demographic data, appointments, charges and insurance information into the new software. Can you anticipate) the hundreds of hours of work this will create for you and your staff. You risk the chance of upsetting and losing your staff along with some patients as well. 

Or you can look for a software company that is willing to take the time to look at your records and give you some advice. A world class team will be able to analyze your database and give you feedback regarding the quantity of records that can be retrieved. In many cases they should be able to transfer all your data saving you plenty of hours of work and thousands of dollars of information entry.

Just remember there are lot of options. The level of support you receive converting your information and the level of training you receive will certainly reflect the level of support you can expect in the future.