EHR Optimization

Are you thinking about transitioning your paper-based practice to start using an electronic health record (EHR)? Or have you recently implemented an EHR and feeling overwhelmed with all the features? According to the American Academy of Dermatology 2020 Practice Profile Survey, 8 in 10 practices have adopted EHRs and while it seems like most dermatologists are going in that direction, you are not alone if you are feeling the burden of using your EHR.

Below you will find members who are currently using EHRs in their practices and have shared their views on fully optimizing their experience as they go through scenarios of how it has increased clinical productivity and reduced clinical documentation and administrative burdens.

Listen as they share personal tips, tricks, and top features of the EHR.

Klint Peebles, MD, FAAD

Q. Have you come across any kind of hacks that have helped you reduce administrative and clinical burdens in your everyday life using the EHR?

We have dictation software that is seamlessly integrated into our EHR (Fluency Direct). This is a microphone that plugs directly into our computer where we can start recording into the microphone and it starts generating text within the EHR. That software not only inputs what we are saying into the note text, but also inputs the verbiage into, let’s say a prescription or a secure message to the patient.

─ Klint Peebles, MD, FAAD

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Peebles below.

Steven Schuckit, MD, FAAD

Q. Are there programs or APIs that are integrated and assist with optimizing your EHR?

“We use a relation management application. Essentially, it is a reminder platform – it sends reminders to patients as a texting platform that we can use with patients to quickly notify them if, for example, a refill was sent. And it reduces number of phone calls.”

─ Steven Schuckit, MD, FAAD

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Schuckit below.

Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD

Q. What is your biggest priority as a dermatologist to focus on reducing EHR burdens?

“The simplest things I’ve learned to do in life is to finish your notes in the same day… when we take work home with us, it effects our lives and our relationship with loved ones and ourselves… schedule one or two patients less a day or hire an extra staff member or scribe. When I leave the office, I want to leave the office.”

─ Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Bhanusali below.