Kimberly Mullen
Due to the vast nature of the specialty, Endocrinology requires a lot of testing and diagnostic data. An Endocrinologist can therefore have to deal with diagnosis which can be complex and hard to achieve. A well suited Electronic Health Records (EHR) Software will provide not only comprehensive but automated efficient data management tools and device integration for quick import of diagnostic reports.
To have a good understanding of how the software works, it is advisable to learn about the different features and functionalities of the software. Before choosing an Endocrinology EMR software, we should check if the software has the following key features:
Templates – Charting patient encounters can be a repetitive task. Built-in templates enhance charting, and provide less room for error. Endocrinology EMR Software should have templates specific to the specialty for faster charting, such as:
Document & Image Management – Because Endocrinology requires a lot of documentation it needs a robust Electronic Medical Records software to track and manage them all. Patient histories, allergy information, diagnostic and imaging test results, lab reports and pharmaceutical history must all be arranged in one place for easy access and review.
Image Annotation – To assist in charting, electronic medical records software designed for Endocrinology must host image templates for annotation. These are a quick way for endocrinologists to mark affected areas of the patient, and the severity of the allergy for long-term tracking and quick view.
e-Prescription – An Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software designed for endocrinology should have e-Prescription. This helps track patient drug history, their allergies, send quick prescription orders, as well as set reminders for prescription refills so patients are not inconvenienced.
Assessment Plan & Tracking – A robust electronic medical records software (EMR) aimed at Endocrinology will enable quick suggestions of assessment plans, and track patient progress through graphs. These provide a quick view for rheumatologists, who can then assess outcomes of treatment, modifying the plan accordingly.
Integrated Devices – In order to manage comprehensive patient files must be integrated with diagnostic equipment for automated import of patient data, and test results.
Lab Interface & Pharmacy Tracking – Similarly electronic medical records software should have an interface with labs to track patient test results, as well as schedule new tests for the future. A similar interface with pharmacies enables quick prescription updates, and tracking of patient prescription history.
E&M Coding – Endocrinology EMR software should have built-in ICD-10 and CPT codes pertaining to Endocrinology procedures and diagnosis. These accelerate billing through automated, accurate claims.
Endocrinology Dashboard – The Top Endocrinology EHR software must feature a real-time dashboard which will help physicians to clearly view patient charts, profiles, billing processes, scheduling etc. all at one place. The dashboard also saves the time that is taken in opening multiple tabs.
Electronic Medical Records Software or commonly referred to as EMR Software represents the electronic method of storing medical records for patients. Using specially designed software, physicians and other medical professionals can store anything ranging from patient demographics to extensive clinical information about patients, such as medical history, social history, lab reports and more.
Since all medical providers (MDs, DOs, PAs, NPs, LCSW, OT etc.) work in a distinct manner based on their background and medical specialty, EMR Software or EHR Software must accommodate the unique style and documentation requirements. Examples of such specialty-specific features include the ability to annotate on images or capability to store before/after photos for Pain Management specialists and Dermatology specialists respectively. Similarly, other specialties such as Pediatrics, Oncology, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Nephrology, Dialysis Centers, Rheumatology and Chiropractic Care require their unique set of specialty-specific features to simplify adoption.
Since the introduction of the HITECH Act, healthcare IT has undergone a massive transition starting from the widely recognized Meaningful Use program to what is now known as MACRA, the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. The Meaningful Use program has transformed and now formed part of the four components of the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), which itself is a fundamental part of MACRA.
For some medical practices, the transition from paper-based records to EMR Software (Electronic Medical Records Software) has not been a simple one. Regardless, realizing that the benefits of utilizing ONC Certified EMR Software far outweigh the hassle and challenges associated with it - ensuring a viable future, most practices today have successfully transformed their clinical and administrative operations to EMR Software.
Aside from ensuring tangible financial incentives and profitability, practices converting to EMR / EHR Software have seen the following benefits:
Just like a medical specialty, EHR Software requirements also depend on the size of the medical practice. From solo provider clinics to large multi-provider, multi-specialty clinics, every practice has unique inherent challenges that must be addressed by the EMR Software vendor.
A small doctor’s office not only has a limited number of staff members but their EMR Software budgets are also extremely low compared to a large enterprise such as a hospital. Due to these budgetary constraints, many providers simply choose to employ Free EMR Software or choose an affordable EHR Software vendor with a low fixed monthly fee. Cloud-based access is one such important requirement so that these providers can access patient charts even from home when needed.
These practices usually consist of 5 to 10 medical providers often belonging to the same medical specialty. Their requirements are more stringent, while their budget is also considerably large. Aside from specialty-focused requirements (EHR Software by Specialty), these practices also require unique features such as interoperability, dedicated customer support, multi-device support as well as extensive reporting functionality to keep an eye on the overall performance of the practice.
Larger group practices generally comprise more fifteen or often twenty medical providers. These practices usually provide medical services that fall under various medical specialties (Orthopedics, Pain Management, Surgery, Chiropractic Medicine, Family Medicine etc.). Therefore, these practices require support for multiple users to access the system simultaneously, as well as for the Scheduling software to accommodate multiple locations, providers and resources such as Dialysis Chairs, procedure room allocation etc. These practices also keep replacing or adding staff members and need a scalable solution.
EHR software companies such as Epic, Cerner, AllScripts, NextGen, Athenahealth, IMS by Meditab, eClinicalWorks, Meditech, McKesson, MEDHOST etc. usually target and provide solutions for larger corporations like Hospitals, ACOs, PCMH, IPAs, CINs (Clinically Integrated Networks), Public Health Departments etc.
These customers have the most elaborate list of requirements, which are usually documented in the form of an RFI or RFP to assess and shortlist vendors that can meet them. The requirements consist of features like inventory management modules, interface with local labs (LIS), machines and diagnostic equipment along with drug dispensing (pharmacy management software) and electronic medication administration records (EMAR) etc.
These entities also require the EHR software also need to integrate with multiple other software and medical devices.
Since the introduction of Meaningful Use, most healthcare practices simply have little or no choice but to convert their practice operations to an EHR software. However, most providers today select the EHR software of their choice that best suits their specific needs and must perform an extensive search to evaluate all available options before they find one that is suitable. Most potential EMR Software buyers in the market today have the following in common:
Although #3 is ideal, every provider and practice workflows are unique and therefore what works for one provider may not suit the other. “One size fits all” simply does not apply in the world of healthcare IT. Software experts and industry specialists are an ideal source of information, advice and ultimately ensuring that the right decision is made.
Like anything else, the EMR software industry is also subject to constant changes. From new technology to legalities and governing bodies, everything is constantly changing. Here are some of the changes I think it would do well for you to keep track of.
A previously conducted research had found that only 25% of practitioners were interested in a web-based model and only 50% were willing to have it as an initial model that was to eventually transition to cloud-based. Cloud-based EMR software cuts down on steep upfront costs for client-servers and can be hosted on any device that has a web-browser. It's no surprise that more and more vendors are transitioning to cloud-based software because the industry demands are changing.
In 2025, the demand for EMR software solutions for healthcare practices has continued to rise, with market growth estimated at around 6-7% year-over-year as healthcare providers increasingly prioritize digital transformation and interoperability. This increase is largely driven by the adoption of advanced technologies like AI and cloud computing within these systems, which enhance clinical workflows and patient care. Epic Systems has expanded its dominance, now capturing over 35% of the market, particularly among large multispecialty organizations. Meanwhile, Oracle Health (formerly Cerner) has faced challenges, especially in retaining smaller hospitals, contributing to a slight decline in its market share. Together, major players like Epic, Oracle Health, Meditech and Allscripts account for a significant portion of the EHR market, reflecting the ongoing evolution and consolidation within the industry.
Electronic Medical Records don't offer patients the ability to access their own records across multiple healthcare organizations due to the lack of data-sharing standards set between different practices. This causes significant problems for patients who receive care for multiple different centers. The issue also makes diagnosis of patients harder for physicians and healthcare providers. Due to this, EMR/EHR providers are updating their software to include interoperability and integration features to allow data to be shared between these different organizations.
At a previously held health care conference Andy Slavitt, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services had declared that Meaningful Use was over, and would be replaced by the end of that year with something better. But a deeper look into the claims revealed that meaningful use was very much still there, only much improved.