Chiropractic Care

So many chiropractors find themselves ensnared in software that never seems to progress 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. Often you’re left to figure things out yourself, they’re satisfied to have sold you software. That’s acceptable if your computer savvy and have all the time in the world but as chiropractors we’re not trained to correct computer and software subluxations, we are trained to correct spinal 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 release every year and it’s simply to fix problems and add minor improvements. You may decide not to update, those enhancements might even create problems with the current way you use the system. There are several reasons why a company creates updates: 

1. To entice you to pay for upgrades

2. To fix problems

3. To add enhancements

Make sure you look 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 effective software is one that is constantly growing, providing new products and web services to meet the demands of growing businesses. As technology changes, if we want to remain viable in this economy, we need to change and adapt to new technology. Patients are expecting more and if you don’t provide it someone else down the street will meet those expectations. 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 perfect. What happens when they’re not keeping up with new technology and you want to progress?

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

Look for a company that will provide you with a records conversion for your current system. Is that possible and do companies provide that type of service? From experience I can tell you that very few businesses provide a information conversion and if they do it is very limited. If a conversion is possible 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 treading into the unknown ask for previous conversion referrals.

Be prepared to hear one of these four common reasons, if they don’t offer a conversion.

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      Your current system is so outdated we can’t possibly retrieve any data.

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

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

4.      We simply don’t provide database conversions

If the organization 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 info, appointments, charges and insurance data 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 annoying and losing your staff along with some patients as well. 

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

Just remember there are lot of options. The type of service you get moving your info and the quality of training you get will certainly represent the level of support you can expect in the future.