Chiropractic Software

So many chiropractors find themselves ensnared in software that never seems to evolve or advance. They really don’t have any incentive to continue to develop the product to match your changing needs once a software company has made that initial sale. That’s a negative of buying a system verse a lease to own with a support package. Often you’re left to work things out yourself, they’re satisfied to have sold you software. That’s ok 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 releases? Maybe you have a software system that has a new version every year and it’s simply to fix problems and add minor enhancements. Those enhancements might even create havoc with the current way you use the system and you may even decide not to update. There are several reasons why a company creates updates:

1. To entice you to buy upgrades

2. To correct problems

3. To add enhancements

Make sure you search for a software system that includes all your releases and has a rigid 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 progressing, offering new products and web services to meet the demands of growing companies. As technology advances, 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 great. What happens when they’re not keeping up with new technology and you want to 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 change?

Search for a organization that will provide you with a information 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 in advance what to expect from the conversion. If they haven’t previously converted your system it will require a larger investment in time on their part and your cooperation. Until you receive the final result, you won’t know how much information is going to be converted. Since your stepping into the unknown ask for previous conversion referrals.

If they don’t provide 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 information.

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

3.      Your information 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 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 annoying and losing your staff along with some patients as well.

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

Just remember there are many methods. The quality of support you get converting your records and the quality of training you get will certainly show the level of support you can expect in the future.