8 Challenges of Implementing EMR in Your Internal Medicine Practice

Internal medicine practices have been using electronic medical records (EMR) for years, but many are still struggling to find the right system and properly implement itIt is a complex and time-consuming process, but the benefits of using an EMR system can be substantial.

Here are 8 challenges you may face when implementing an internal medicine EMR system in your practice:

Finding the right system– There are many different EMR systems on the market and it can be difficult to find the one that is right for your internal medicine practiceYou will need to consider the needs of your practice, the features of the various systems, and the cost.

Implementing the system- Once you have selected an EMR system, you will need to properly implement itThis can be a complex and time-consuming processYou will need to train your staff on how to use the system, convert your patient records, and integrate the system into your practice.

Change management- Implementing an EMR system will require changes to the way your internal medicine practice operatesYour staff will need to be trained on how to use the system and you will need to change your processes to work with the system.

Cost– EMR systems can be expensive to purchase and implementYou will need to consider the cost of the system, the licensing fees, the training costs, and the costs associated with converting your patient recordsThe upfront cost of an EMR system can be a barrier for many internal medicine

Maintenance– Once you have implemented an EMR system, you will need to maintain itThis includes keeping the software up-to-date, backing up data, and troubleshooting problemsIt is important to have a plan for how you will maintain your EMR system.

Interoperability– EMR systems need to be able to work with other systems in order to be effectiveThis includes laboratories, pharmacies, and hospitalsYou will need to make sure that your EMR system is compatible with the systems your internal medicine practice uses.

Security– EMR systems contain confidential patient information and must be secured to protect the privacy of patientsYou will need to consider the security features of the EMR system and put in place safeguards to protect patient dataIt is important to have a plan for how you will secure your EMR system.

Support– You will need to have a plan for how you will support your EMR systemThis includes training for your staff, technical support, and user supportIt is important to have a plan in place so that you can effectively use your EMR systemYou will also need to consider how you will support the system as your practice grows and changes.

EMR systems can be complex and challenging to implement, but the benefits can be substantialInternal medicine practices that take the time to find the right system and properly implement it will be able to reap the rewards of using an EMR system.