Each specialty brings a distinctive set of challenges and, as a result, demands different software functionality. So PYP will grant each much-warranted attention by publishing a series of articles that zero in on the current state of the specialty and show how certain specialists should approach health IT software.
In the second installment of our specialty snapshot series, we’ll take a look at the field of family medicine.
State of Family Medicine
Family physicians (FPs) provide continuous and comprehensive care to patients of all ages. They promote wellness and are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of ailments. FPs constantly refer patients to specialists and often coordinate care among all providers involved in a patient’s care.
Among peers, family physicians are considered the “gatekeepers” of care because of the long-term attention they provide in both preventive and treatment capacities. In the U.S., family medicine visits account for one in four office visits.
FPs work primarily in outpatient practice settings with two to three providers and see an average of 23 patients a day. These practices normally employ between five and six staff members, including billers, office managers, receptionists, and physician assistants. On average, support staff salaries and benefits consume 30% of total revenue in family practices.
General practice physicians in outpatient settings normally work between 50 to 70 hours per week. According to a QuantiaMD/CareCloud PPI report, at least 10 of those hours are spent on administrative tasks like updating patient notes, reviewing labs, and replying to messages. This shows the need for FPs to adopt a practice management solution that streamlines these duties.
In regards to the Affordable Care Act, FPs have helped shape many of the reform initiatives centered around medical homes and ACOs. Reform is expected to lead to higher patient volumes and better reimbursements for services that general practitioners provide. However, FPs have expressed concerns about the design and administration of pay for performance models.
What Type of Functionality Do Family Physicians Need
Due to the broad scope of services provided, family physicians need their practice management and EHR software to perform a wide range of tasks.
On any given day, a FP may handle an assorted variety of highly acute cases that require substantial care coordination among providers. Therefore, FPs should look for an EHR that has strong interoperability capabilities.
A family physician’s EHR should be able to communicate with vital sign monitors, so the doctor can track a patient’s progression over time. Strong flow sheet generators can help with the treatment of chronic diseases.
In terms of practice management software, primary care providers need ePrescribing functionality and the ability to electronically order/receive lab results and referrals to assist with potentially high volumes of patient encounters.
With ICD-10 expected to be particularly challenging for FPs due to the broad range of ailments they treat, make sure to find a PM system that updates automatically to any ongoing changes in the upcoming ICD-10 transition.
If general practice physicians keep these features in mind when shopping for medical software, they should be able to purchase a system that will facilitate their daily workflow and improve the level of care they provide.
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