July 9, 2013
One could say that Atlas MD is on fire, after recent media attention. But now Forbes contributor Dave Chase (left) has posted a new article on Forbes.com. He’s released an exclusive book excerpt from Engage! Transforming Healthcare Through Digital Patient Engagement. In his online article releasing an advanced read of a chapter he wrote, he’s included a quote from Dr. Josh:
“A good scalpel makes a better surgeon. Good communication makes a better doctor.” – Dr. Josh Umbehr
July 8, 2013
Dark Daily writer Patricia Kirk shares Michigan University research that suggests there are opportunities for physicians to make more money using EMR. However, a major factor that would theoretically help them make this proposed “money” includes using ONLY THE NEW EMR, not the new EMR in conjunction with pre-existing methods. Hmmm, so why would someone buy something to replace something, and then keep using the old thing? Oh right, the government paid them to buy it. We almost forgot.
July 8, 2013
So what’s driving dissatisfaction with EMR? While surveys document dissatisfaction among physicians, experts advise on the costs of doing so in a new article from Medical Economics. The statistics are sobering and have been validated by multiple surveys.
In the post, MGMA Healthcare Consulting Group’s Derek Kosiorek says, “This is an odd point in history, where we have asked physicians to take processes they have done their entire professional career and change them. We are taking the paper chart and every piece of information in that paper chart and we are shuffling it up like a deck of cards and putting it on a computer screen in different places.”
Nice job, Derek. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. Check out the complete article below. The data’s eye-opening and writer Daniel R. Verdon includes sound advice for doctors looking to marry an EMR with their practice.
More Reading
“EHR divorce: What’s driving dissatisfaction?” | Medical Economics
Photo of Derek Kosiorek (@kosiorek) courtesy of Twitter
July 8, 2013
“Healthcare Observers Disagree on Cost-effectiveness of Electronic Health Record Systems” | Dark Daily
Along with the researchers at the University of Michigan, other experts have questioned EHR’s promise to deliver greater financial rewards. READ MORE
“If Practices Don’t Change, EHRs Lose Money” | Med Page Today
The average physician lost nearly $44,000 over 5 years implementing an electronic health record system, a large pilot study found, but the technology itself was just part of the reason. READ MORE
“A Survey Analysis Suggests That Electronic Health Records Will Yield Revenue Gains for Some Practices and Losses for Many” | Health Affairs (abstract)
This Health Affairs abstract will require membership. However, the title alone should be cause for concern. READ MORE
“Health Insurers Spending Big Dollars to Be Players in ‘Big Data’; Trend has Implications for Clinical Pathology Laboratories” | Dark Daily
With healthcare reform not likely to increase their growth, health insurers are expanding into data management to find new ways to make money. READ MORE
“New Study Predicts that Majority Of Physician Practices Will Lose Money On Their EHR Systems” | Atlas Blog
It appears that government intervention, while useful in certain cases (for instance, monopolies), can impede the marketplace. In EMR’s case it encouraged mediocre products to be bought and sold, costing money and wasting time overall. READ MORE
June 12, 2013
Congratulations if you’ve popped the cork on your “cash-only” concierge medicine practice! From the outset, YOU are the captain of your practice, and the sole reason that it even exists. But we’ve got another question to ask before we get to staff…
May 22, 2013
Here’s a quick rundown of factors contributing to EPIC’s EHR software failure. (Previous link no longer available.)
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FEATURES
Microsoft Word has approximately 1,200 features/functions (this is rough estimate), most of which are ignored by common users. The problem with EHR software, though, is that the market is filled with hoodwinking, one-size-fits-all “solutions” all gimmicking for doctor’s dollars. MS Word has a core base of users (the entire professional, semi-professional and college-educated world) who are familiar with core procedures and who can adapt to new features with each version. EHR/EMR software DOES NOT HAVE THIS ADVANTAGE. Asking people to sift through tens of thousands of buttons and features to “figure out” how to do something is an exercise in futility. Yet it actually happens on the marketplace.
May 10, 2013
If you’re a patient, or a friend, welcome. If you’re a fellow doctor, or a participant in a related medical field, welcome too. We’ve made all kinds of friends in our short time since launching Atlas.
First, to our valued patients, and friends: You’ve supported us since we launched. You’ve been one of what are now 1,000+ patients who call Atlas home. You’re not the only reason Atlas exists, you are every reason Atlas exists. We are grateful that you’ve allowed us to provide unencumbered, honest-to-goodness healthcare. Thank you.
Atlas in Wichita is always going to be the birthplace of what we’re trying to do. Our first patients are the cornerstones of our goals. You proved that concierge medicine can work. But we want to make a bigger dent in the universe.
May 6, 2013
Here’s a weekly round-up of articles pertaining the headache that is the state of EMR.
Most pain apps lack physician input
This quick read brings up a scary fact: over 30% of medical apps aren’t made with any input from doctors. While altruistic in nature, this just proves that not everything on the market is created equal.
April 29, 2013
There’s some good news for EMR software. Box, a cloud storage and information-sharing platform used in many different industries, released a statement on Thursday, saying that they acquired an “ecosystem” of app companies and are actively expanding their healthcare offerings.
One of Box’s efforts is to create a downloadable Personal Health Record that aggregates multiple inputs. Basically they want consumers to carry around a digital medical file to take to different specialists. A few of the new companies they acquired focus on text transmission, so its presumed they want to help doctors text information more effectively, too—X-rays, notes, files and the like.