| A large number of companies sell electronic | | | | grant site licenses with no restrictions on the |
| medical record software. While some companies | | | | number of users. When the number of users is |
| offer a range of products to suit medical | | | | restricted, there may be a time lag between |
| practices of different sizes and with different | | | | when a user logs off at one computer terminal |
| needs, some offer niche products only. Types of | | | | and the next person is able to utilize the same |
| services offered may also differ from company | | | | license at another terminal. |
| to company. Some offer on-site software, while | | | | Before buying electronic medical record software, |
| others offer off-site software based on the | | | | a practice should investigate what exactly is |
| Application Service Provider model that is | | | | included, and excluded, in the package. Besides |
| accessible to practices via the Internet. | | | | patient medical record software, certain systems |
| With the array of software options being | | | | include appointment scheduling, billing and patient |
| marketed, how can a practice go about choosing | | | | education software. With others, one has to |
| what's right for them? If a practice is very large | | | | choose from a menu of options to get all the |
| or if information technology support is available | | | | features and functions needed. Having |
| onsite, having the software physically located in | | | | unnecessary add-ons may considerably increase |
| the practice may be the way to go. For smaller | | | | the price of the package. Unlike personal software |
| practices with limited staff and space, an off-site | | | | packages that come with free technical support, |
| arrangement may work better. Practices should | | | | electronic medical record companies charge a fee |
| know other questions to ask when talking to | | | | to provide technical support, and should ideally be |
| companies for the first time. Most companies | | | | able to provide technical support around the clock. |
| restrict the total number of users, while a few | | | | |