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April 17, 2013
Is a Paperless Office Really Achievable?

These days more practices are eliminating paper medical files and implementing an EMR. That doesn’t necessarily mean your practice has truly become a paperless office. You may still have paper invoices from your vendors to process and even appointment reminder forms you give to your patients. Is it possible to achieve a paperless office? Is it even a goal worth pursuing?

These days more practices are eliminating paper medical files and implementing an EMR. That doesn’t necessarily mean your practice has truly become a paperless office. You may still have paper invoices from your vendors to process and even appointment reminder forms you give to your patients. Is it possible to achieve a paperless office? Is it even a goal worth pursuing?
 

March 13, 2013
What Are Your Ex-Employees Taking with Them?

Decades ago, it was reasonable to imagine that one could work for the same company from the start of one’s career to the end. Times are different now. Workers change jobs (and often careers) with far more regularity than they did in the years following World War II.  Each time an employee leaves – whether voluntarily or otherwise – he or she can depart with valuable information and patient relationships. The higher an employee’s perch in a practice, the more likely it is that he or she can go to a competitor and move patients in the process.

By Michael Elkon
 
Decades ago, it was reasonable to imagine that one could work for the same company from the start of one’s career to the end. Think about the world portrayed in Mad Men. Don Draper has mostly worked with the same fictional co-workers – Roger Sterling, Pete Campbell, Joan Harris, Bert Cooper, etc. – for the better part of a decade. This is not just a function of Matthew Weiner keeping the same actors around; it’s a relatively accurate portrayal of work in the 1960s.
 

February 27, 2013
Skype & HIPAA: Dream or Nightmare?

The issue of whether to use Skype or similar web-based platforms is a vexing one for many healthcare providers. Skype has been used by healthcare providers as a means by which to communicate with patients. Skype and similar platforms are generally free and familiar to millions worldwide.  It is simple to use and is readily available. Notwithstanding the fact that Skype is ubiquitous, its use may be inappropriate for health care providers as web-based platforms raise a number of significant HIPAA privacy and security issues.

By René Quashie

The issue of whether to use Skype or similar web-based platforms is a vexing one for many healthcare providers. Skype has been used by healthcare providers as a means by which to communicate with patients.

(For purposes of this article, the term “Skype” will be used to include Skype and similar free web-based communication platforms relying on proprietary voice over Internet technology. Note that Skype and similar platforms are proprietary services.)

January 23, 2013
Determining if Your Patients Want Telemedicine

Telemedicine seems to be a win-win proposition for both medical practices and patients alike. Through this technology, patients have access to medical advice and consultation at any time from the comfort of their home, while physicians can serve patients off-hours without giving up their freedom. But is telemedicine the right for your practice? Is it worth it for your practice to invest its resources in telemedicine? And more importantly, do your patients and physicians even want it? Here, MOT provides some tips on how you can approach telemedicine.

Telemedicine seems to be a win-win proposition for both medical practices and patients alike. Through this technology, patients have access to medical advice and consultation at any time from the comfort of their home, while physicians can serve patients off-hours without giving up their freedom. But is telemedicine the right for your practice? Is it worth it for your practice to invest its resources in telemedicine?  And more importantly, do your patients and physicians even want it? Here, MOT provides some tips on how you can approach telemedicine.
 

January 16, 2013
Marketing Your Practice to Patients of Different Generations

Healthcare communicators are, perhaps, unique in the challenges they face in marketing to literally all generations. Because they serve their markets from birth to death, and offer services for every stage in between, they have both the opportunity and the challenge to connect and compel varied audiences to take desired actions. That’s not an easy task, but it is one that is grounded in the same sound communication principles that work with any marketing issue.

Healthcare communicators are, perhaps, unique in the challenges they face in marketing to literally all generations. Because they serve their markets from birth to death, and offer services for every stage in between, they have both the opportunity and the challenge to connect and compel varied audiences to take desired actions.

January 9, 2013
13 New Medical Office Products for 2013

Whether it’s the latest medical appointment app for your patients, an improved IT infrastructure, new flooring for your waiting area, or even new countertops in your exam rooms, outfitting your medical office with the latest, innovative products and technology can help spruce up your practice’s image. In addition, new products can also lead to a more comfortable and practical work environment which is essential for any healthcare environment. While there are many different products to help enhance your office and help maximize your work output, we’ve compiled a list of 13 top products for your practice to consider in the upcoming year.

Whether it’s the latest medical appointment app for your patients, an improved IT infrastructure, new flooring for your waiting area, or even new countertops in your exam rooms, outfitting your medical office with the latest, innovative products and technology can help spruce up your practice’s image (Read MOT’s article “Signs Your Practice is Out of Date”).

January 9, 2013
The Cloud's Impact on Healthcare Privacy

If your medical practice is considering moving your confidential patient data to a cloud-based service, you’re not alone. Many practices are realizing the benefits of hosting and accessing clinical data in the cloud. It can save your practice thousands of dollars annually by increasing productivity with fewer office personnel while reducing spending on data storage infrastructure. You can also access patient data from anywhere – in the office, on the road, and even from home. However, there are privacy and security risks associated with using cloud-based services that your practice should be aware of before you make this transition.

If your medical practice is considering moving your confidential patient data to a cloud-based service, you’re not alone. Many practices are realizing the benefits of hosting and accessing clinical data in the cloud. It can save your practice thousands of dollars annually by increasing productivity with fewer office personnel while reducing spending on data storage infrastructure. You can also access patient data from anywhere – in the office, on the road, and even from home.

November 7, 2012
How to Tackle IT Challenges that Drive You Crazy

To remain relevant in the ever-changing world of information technology (IT), your practice is most likely implementing innovative technical solutions that would benefit both your patients and your medical office staff. Your goal, of course, is to ensure a smooth and efficient IT operations so that you can remain focused on your primary objective – delivering great care. Despite the desire to stay current with the latest IT solutions, problems probably still persist. Below are five IT challenges that often give a medical office fits and how to handle them.

To remain relevant in the ever-changing world of information technology (IT), your practice is most likely implementing innovative technical solutions that would benefit both your patients and your medical office staff.  Your goal, of course, is to ensure a smooth and efficient IT operations so that you can remain focused on your primary objective – delivering great care. Despite the desire to stay current with the latest IT solutions, problems probably still persist. Below are five IT challenges that often give a medical office fits and how to handle them.
 

October 31, 2012
Dealing with a Zombie Outbreak

With health information – and misinformation – so readily available to the public via technology, it’s more important than ever for healthcare providers to remain up-to-date on emerging health issues such as illness, outbreaks, medicine warnings and recalls. It’s also crucial to maintain connections with public health agencies in case an emergency situation should necessitate calling in additional healthcare providers to help treat patients.

With health information – and misinformation – so readily available to the public via technology, it’s more important than ever for healthcare providers to remain up-to-date on emerging health issues such as illness, outbreaks, medicine warnings and recalls. It’s also crucial to maintain connections with public health agencies in case an emergency situation should necessitate calling in additional healthcare providers to help treat patients.
 

October 3, 2012
Spending Your IT Budget More Wisely

Stretching information technology (IT) budgets is an ongoing challenge for many medical offices today. In theory, your practice should first determine what IT you need to meet your business objectives, and then budget accordingly. However, because technology is constantly changing, many practices would like to stay ahead of the trends to improve their business operations. Fortunately, there’s a way to stay current and relevant while stretching those precious IT dollars. Here, MOT tells you how.

Stretching information technology (IT) budgets is an ongoing challenge for many medical offices today. In theory, your practice should first determine what IT you need to meet your business objectives, and then budget accordingly. However, because technology is constantly changing, many practices would like to stay ahead of the trends to improve their business operations. Fortunately, there’s a way to stay current and relevant while stretching those precious IT dollars. Here, MOT tells you how.
 
Understand your expenditures

September 26, 2012
Proven Strategies to Recruit Employees via the Internet

The Internet, social media in particular, is an effective tool for medical practices to recruit new employees because that’s where your target audience spends a lot of time. Traditional networking strategies such as association luncheons and industry cocktail parties are taking a backseat to online networking. Today’s healthcare job seeker is using the web and social media channels to find job opportunities, connect with potential employers and network with colleagues in new ways.

The Internet, social media in particular, is an effective tool for medical practices to recruit new employees because that’s where your target audience spends a lot of time. Traditional networking strategies such as association luncheons and industry cocktail parties are taking a backseat to online networking. Today’s healthcare job seeker is using the web and social media channels to find job opportunities, connect with potential employers and network with colleagues in new ways.
 

September 5, 2012
5 Reasons to Use Social Media in Your Practice

Business professionals all over the world, from lawyers to small business owners, are now beginning to take a closer look at sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and they are discovering all of the benefits that these social sites can have for the growth and productivity of their business. One group that can truly reap the benefits of social media more than others is healthcare providers.

By Shama Kabani
 
It is no secret that social media is becoming a large part of our everyday lives. Whether you are swapping photos and stories with your friends on Facebook, sharing funny anecdotes about your day through Twitter, or re-connecting with old colleagues via LinkedIn, one thing is for sure―social media has completely changed the way that we interact with people on a day-to-day basis.

August 8, 2012
EMR: Fact or Fiction? Patient Experience

When it comes to EMRs, healthcare providers usually focus on the most immediate and obvious impacts – cost and implementation, for example. The way patients feel and respond to EMR, along with the benefits they realize from the technology, is rarely considered. And, if providers do think about patient experience as it relates to EMR, they often make incorrect and faulty assumptions. Here, MOT addresses myths and truths regarding patient experience and EMR in this third and final article in MOT’s EMR: Fact or Fiction? Series.

When it comes to EMRs, healthcare providers usually focus on the most immediate and obvious impacts – cost and implementation, for example. The way patients feel and respond to EMR, along with the benefits they realize from the technology, is rarely considered. And, if providers do think about patient experience as it relates to EMR, they often make incorrect and faulty assumptions. Here, MOT addresses myths and truths regarding patient experience and EMR in this third and final article in MOT’s EMR: Fact or Fiction? Series. 
 

August 8, 2012
Patients Getting "Appy" & Happy

Smartphone users now outnumber basic phone users, making it the right time for physicians to help patients harness the technology sitting in their back pocket to improve their health. There is a plethora of health tracking applications and devices, but how do you know which are the most effective? Here are the top patient apps, according to Health 2.0.

By Indu Subaiya, M.D., and Emily Hagerman
 
Smartphone users now outnumber basic phone users, making it the right time for physicians to help patients harness the technology sitting in their back pocket to improve their health. There is a plethora of health tracking applications and devices, but how do you know which are the most effective?
 

May 16, 2012
Taking Baby Steps to the Cloud

More and more medical practices are realizing the benefits of cloud computing, which allows organizations to securely house their IT technology and data offsite, yet easily access it. Yet making the leap to cloud computing can be a scary proposition. Fortunately, practices can take baby steps to the cloud so the change creates fewer panic attacks. Here, MOT walks you through the steps.

More and more medical practices are realizing the benefits of cloud computing, which allows organizations to securely house their IT technology and data offsite, yet easily access it. In fact, the growing adoption of EMRs stresses the importance for medical practices to provide their physicians, nurses and other end users with reliable and immediate access to shared data and applications. (Read MOT's previous article "Cloud Computing for Medical Offices"
 

March 20, 2012
Medical Practices of the Future: Technology, Part I

New technology will continue to change the way medical practices conduct business in the future. Through the use of technology, medical practices will become more efficient, and this increased efficiency will result in a more positive patient experience. MOT spoke with several experts to discover the technological innovations that will shape the medical practice of the future. In doing so, we uncovered so much great information that this article needed to be split into two parts. Look for part two next week.

New technology will continue to change the way medical practices conduct business in the future. Through the use of technology, medical practices will become more efficient – allowing them to reallocate the time it took for manual processes and other inefficiencies to focus on quality initiatives.
 

March 6, 2012
Physician Texting: Pitfalls & Pointers

The appeal of text messaging from a physician-standpoint is clear, and physician texting can benefit patients, as well. Yet, physicians who use text messaging also face serious risks; therefore, physicians weighing these hazards may reasonably decide that the speed and ease of text messaging just isn’t worth it.

By Laura Podolsky
 
With text messaging becoming a preferred method of communication, it is no surprise that physicians are using text messaging to communicate with their patients, employees and other providers. According to one estimate, more than 70 percent of physicians use text messaging to share information with other providers.
 

February 15, 2012
Technology You Can Do Without

Without a doubt, technology is a necessity for your medical practice. But are we overloaded with technology? Are there some devices or gadgets we can just do without?

Without a doubt, technology is a necessity for your medical practice. To offer your patients the best in patient care, you want your physicians to be armed with the best medical devices you can afford. You also want your administrative staff to have the latest gadgets and gizmos to help them do their jobs more efficiently.
 
But are we overloaded with technology? Are there some devices or gadgets we can just do without?
 

February 8, 2012
Do You Need Cyber Liability Insurance?

All healthcare organizations, regardless of size, specialty or location, should be asking themselves whether they need cyber liability insurance. Although every type of business is vulnerable to losses that can be covered by this type of coverage, healthcare organizations have even more exposure because they deal with both financial and health-related information.

 All healthcare organizations, regardless of size, specialty or location, should be asking themselves whether they need cyber liability insurance.
 
Although every type of business is vulnerable to losses that can be covered by this type of coverage, healthcare organizations have even more exposure because they deal with both financial and health-related information. Healthcare organizations collect more information that other types of business, and they usually keep that information for much longer, amplifying their exposure.
 

February 1, 2012
8 Popular Apps for Medical Practices

Smartphones and tablets continue to be game-changing communication and interactive tools for medical practices today, offering physicians and staff more portability and functionality at their fingertips. While there are thousands of apps associated with your tech device, we wanted to know which ones are the most popular for practices. Here, MOThas highlighted eight popular apps.

Smartphones and tablets continue to be game-changing communication and interactive tools for medical practices today. It offers your physicians and staff more portability and functionality at their fingertips, whether they are in the office or at home. As a result, the market is flooded with apps to pair with your latest technology gadget.
 

November 16, 2011
Building Your Referral Network

Just like education and marketing, your referral network needs ongoing attention from you in order to flourish and to keep bringing you a steady stream of new patients. 

Just like education and marketing, your referral network needs ongoing attention from you in order to flourish and to keep bringing you a steady stream of new patients. While it may not always be top of mind, periodically checking in with your referral network’s progress and implementing referral-building techniques will keep the system running smoothly so that your business can continue to thrive.
 

November 10, 2011
Using Mobile Technology: Part II

From a provider’s perspective, the rapid use of Smartphones and other mobile devices by patients makes it that more important for your practices to have a presence in a mobile space. 

This is part two of a two-part series on using mobile technology. Last week, we discussed using mobile technology as part of your clinical practice. In this week’s piece, we will demonstrate how you can use this same technology to communicate with your patients.
 
From a provider’s perspective, the rapid use of Smartphones and other mobile devices by patients makes it that more important for your practices to have a presence in a mobile space. 
 

September 6, 2011
What’s Your Webutation?

Today, more than ever, patients are turning to review sites when seeking information about a medical provider, just as they would check a restaurant’s review on before dining. The growing popularity of review websites has placed considerable weight on medical practices to pay attention to and monitor their online reputations, or “webutations.”
 

By Michael Mosley
 
With the advancements of smart phones and computer software, people are more connected than ever.  Heightened connectivity also means higher expectations. Today, more than ever, patients are turning to review sites when seeking information about a medical provider, just as they would check a restaurant’s review on before dining. The growing popularity of review websites has placed considerable weight on medical practices to pay attention to and monitor their online reputations, or “webutations.”
 

August 9, 2011
Communicating with Patients via E-mail

While e-mail is a great way for physicians to convey and discuss medical reports, test and imaging results and other sensitive information with patients, providers need to be aware of privacy and security issues.

While e-mail is a great way for physicians to convey and discuss medical reports, test and imaging results and other sensitive information with patients, providers need to be aware of privacy and security issues.
 
“E-mail can extremely beneficial when used in the right setting for the right purposes, especially when compared to paper communication,” says Dr. Ravi N. Chandiramani of the Journey Healing Centers, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Scottsdale, Ariz.
 

June 21, 2011
Can You Leverage a Hospital for Technology?

While the latest technological advances can help today’s medical practices become more effective and efficient, the upfront costs to purchase a new piece of medical equipment, EMR software, or even iPads, can be too much of a burden on a tight operating budget. One way that medical practices can ease that burden is to partner with a hospital or a larger healthcare organization and share the costs.

While the latest technological advances can help today’s medical practices become more effective and efficient, the upfront costs to purchase a new piece of medical equipment, EMR software, or even iPads, can be too much of a burden on a tight operating budget. One way that medical practices can ease that burden is to partner with a hospital or a larger healthcare organization and share the costs.