Using the right technology in your medical practice can make you more productive and efficient. An array of software tools can be used to improve information management and enhance efficiency of your practice’s processes and systems – ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
If your goal is to improve your medical practice by implementing new technology, it’s a good idea to start by considering the areas of your operation that are in need of improvement. Below we take a look at some popular technologies that can help to build your medical practice and enhance your patients experience.
Connecting with new patients
Before a patient makes an appointment with your practice, they need to be able to find you. Australian owned and operated, HotDoc provides a patient engagement platform with over 21,000 listed doctors and 8 million active patients. The HotDoc platform helps your practice be found via Google search and can also integrate into your own website.
Patients use the platform to book online and medical practices can use HotDoc as an all-in-one solution to connect with new and existing patients. Hotdoc provides access to telehealth, appointment reminders, SMS recalls for clinical reminders and results, mobile and kiosk check-in, digital new patient registration forms, online prescription renewals, and tools for encouraging preventative health.
One of the key benefits of HotDoc is that it allows patients to book appointments online 24/7. It makes it easy for them to view and learn more about each of your clinic’s practitioners and also presents the full range of dates and times that each practitioner is available. This allows you to free up your reception staff and reduce the booking of appointments (or cancelling of appointments) over the phone.
Practice management systems
As medical practices manage large volumes of information and data for both clinical and non-clinical purposes, a good practice management system can ensure that your clinic’s information is accurate, current and available at the right place, the right time and to the right person.
Practice management systems run the business side of your practice and can perform functions such as appointment scheduling, billing, financial management and reporting. An example of this is Cliniko, practice management software for clinics and allied health practitioners. Cliniko is a cloud-based solution that enables medical professionals to capture patients’ health records using customisable templates and add images, diagrams and treatment notes using a drag-and-drop functionality.
With Cliniko’s integrated telehealth system, practitioners can offer online consultations, perform examinations and schedule appointments with patients through video or audio calls. Additionally, the application provides a reporting module, which allows administrators to gain insights into payment summaries, outstanding invoices, expense reports and practitioners’ performances. Cliniko comes with an application programming interface (API), which facilitates integration with several third-party platforms such as Mailchimp (email platform).
Similarly, Power Diary provides online practice management software including calendar management, automated appointment reminders (SMS or email), treatment note templates, online forms, client database, client invoicing, waiting lists, online bookings, 2-way SMS chat, and Telehealth.
Power Diary streamlines administrative work for medical clinics and and their customers range from solo practitioners to large, multi-location practices. It aims to provide practice management software that makes running a practice easier, simpler and more rewarding. It integrates directly with Xero, Mailchimp, Stripe, Physitrack and others.
Clinical decision support
Clinical decision support software (CDSS) is software that can perform a broad range of functions that facilitate, support and enable clinical practice. It incorporates elements such as clinical guidelines, documentation templates, diagnostic support, reference information, alerts and reminders. The system stores a set of best practice rules or knowledge and checks against that information, or displays guidance based on the data supplied. Examples of clinical decision support software include:
- Web-based applications that provide information about particular diseases or conditions
- Software intended to analyse an x-ray image
- Software that collects and records data from a closed-loop blood glucose monitor
CDSS could be any kind of software, including:
- mobile apps
- cloud based software
- websites and browser delivered products
- more traditional software platform architectures
Some practice information systems come with forms of CDS – MediRecords, for example, provides interaction checks for practitioners when prescribing medications, including drug allergies and implications for pregnancy.
Security and data privacy
Strict regulations around data and privacy, may cause hesitation from medical practitioners in regards to embracing new technology. Security systems require specialist knowledge to ensure both data is kept safe and privacy around collection, sharing, storing, and transferring data is upheld. This is where the expertise of an IT managed service provider, such as Neo Technologies is vital to ensure your network and systems are well protected and continuously monitored and upgraded, meeting all regulatory risk and compliance guidelines.
Planning for Technology
Technology can impact your practice significantly. When appropriately configured, implemented and used, technology can help you improve workflows, services delivered and care efficiency. You will need to consider factoring in sufficient training to staff to avoid errors and workarounds that lead to limitations of results. When managing a medical practice, you need to plan ahead and consider what applications will be needed and how workflows will be affected. It is easy to buy technology for technology’s sake but for a successful and sustainable general practice, it is important to choose technology that produces measurable benefits to the people it serves. Determining what technology is right for your practice is also influenced by the skills and culture of your practice team. Partnering with an external IT management company can help you strategise for the future.
Working with IT support providers
It’s vital to use an external IT provider with expertise in medical software to provide you with guidance and support. At Neo Technologies, we specialise in providing resources and support for medical practices wishing to undergo digital transformation.
We offer cloud and data centre services that enable your business to run advanced applications and protect sensitive data. With over 25 years’ experience working with professional services companies, our clients span diverse industries from law firms to engineering. With our deep wealth of knowledge and key focus on providing outstanding customer service, we pride ourselves on long-term relationships with our clients, guiding them through the changing needs of the modern business world. Contact us on 1300 661 832 to discuss how we can help your medical practice grow today.
