Every medical specialty is unique in its own way. Geriatrics treat the elderly while pediatricians only care for children. Dermatologists focus on skin ailments and cardiologists deal with the human heart.
Each specialty brings a distinctive set of challenges and, as a result, requires different software capabilities. So PYP is going to grant each its warranted attention by publishing a series of articles that zero in on the current state of the specialty and the functionality it demands from PM systems and EHRs.
In the first edition of our specialty snapshot series, we take a look at the field of neurology.
The State of Neurology
Neurologists can serve in both a consultative and primary care capacity. As consultants, they provide diagnoses and help manage disorders by advising other doctors on ongoing care. As PCPs, they normally treat patients with conditions that require continuous care.
Also, given the nature of the specialty, patient visits tend to be longer than in other specialties, averaging around 25 minutes apiece. On any given day, neurologists will see a mix of scheduled patients and urgent cases, so their PM systems and EHRs must be designed to easily transition between the two.
Neurologists mostly work in practice settings but may spend time consulting in hospitals. Figures show that 25% of neurologists spend somewhere between one to four hours a week in hospitals.
Even though neurology is considered to be one of the most respected specialties, many neurologists feel unsatisfied with their career choice. In fact, at least 41% of neurologists have reported cases of physician burnout, citing an abundance of bureaucratic tasks, too many hours spent at work, and substandard compensation as driving factors.
It’s predicted that healthcare reform will affect the field both positively and negatively. On the plus side, a move toward pay-for-performance models will prove favorable since neurologists spend most of their time evaluating patients instead of conducting procedures. However, the field is expected to suffer a 7% reduction in payments as CMS plans to cut rates for crucial tests like nerve conduction and electromyology.
What Type of Functionality Do Neurologists Need
Due to the complexity of care, neurologists have unique needs when it comes to the software they use to treat patients and manage their practice.
For example, because of the types of procedures they perform, billing can be exceedingly difficult. With ICD-10 right around the corner, accounts receivable processes are about to get far more intricate, so neurologists need a PM system that is prepared for the transition in order to maximize their dwindling collections.
Because the majority of physicians spend more than 20% of their time – the equivalent of one day a week- on administrative tasks instead of patient care, neurologists should take into consideration PM systems that streamline non-care duties.
When it comes to clinical encounters, neurologists should seek EHRs with well-designed templates, efficient documentation, and the ability to document outside of templates. Templates should be designed to include tests like CT scans, CAT scans, MRIs, lumbar puncture tests, electromyograms, and polysomnographies.
Considered as one of the most difficult conditions to document, nervous system disorders are usually non-linear and stem from different aspects of the patient’s medical history. Look for an EHR that has strong capabilities in dictation, letter writing, referral and order receiving/sending, and the viewing/scanning of documents.
A neurologist’s EHR should also be fluent in ePrescribing functions and EEG/EMG machine interfaces.
If neurologists keep these features in mind when shopping for medical software, they should be able to acquire a system that will facilitate their daily workflow and improve their level of care.
Do you know what you need when setting up a new medical practice?
