Why is Information Technology such an important factor in the modern day practice?

The use of Information Technology (IT) in any modern day practice offers practitioners the long awaited opportunity to increase productivity; lower information management costs and decreases overheads. The most important asset to any practice would be an IT literate practitioner and team. Through the simplification of data transmission between all parties involved, the lives of patients are made a lot less complicated. It is thus not only the medical professional who gains, but also his or her patients as a result of the practitioner keeping up with the ever-changing world of IT.

Practices routinely see a drop of 50% in their overdue accounts after installing a new computerised system. Good practice management software which uses the latest up to date technology can improve the practice`s business performance in several key ways: more accurate billing, better and more detailed management information and increased flexibility and customisation.

Practitioners who have been struggling as a result of rejected medical scheme claims have been rescued through the use of IT. Doctors have been put on a par with their pharmacy counterparts by linking them to medical scheme systems in real time consequently cutting out the complications experienced through the use of a paper based system. Financial risk is removed as a result of instant verification of medical scheme memberships, validating the claim and processing the prescription instantly, with a payment or rejection response sent to the doctor without any delay.

By using the system medicine abuse as well as unfavourable interaction is decreased by putting each prescription through a medicine monitoring system which carries information on a patient`s medicines use history and pre-existing disease conditions. Another benefit is that dispensing doctors are able to do a range of other checks such as medicine interactions and dosage checking. Through the use of technology doctors will be able to gain access to new patient pool. If the doctor has access to information at the time of treating the patient managed care as well as capitation models will be viable.

A question that may arise is, "how would one go about installing such a system to fully utilise IT within a practice?" The first thing to consider would be the need that exists within the practice. This can be done through a simple analysis of the practice`s needs by asking questions like:

* Where do most of the hold-ups occur?

* What information do you need that you can`t get?

* What are your staff`s strengths and needs?

* How do you want to improve your financial performance?

* What are your long-term goals?

After the analysis is done, it will be a lot less complicated to select the system that will suit your needs best as well as a vendor that will offer you good service and support. The features that fit your needs could include:

* Guaranteed up-to-date technology;

* Open data base (allowing you to extract information, no matter how it operates);

* Ability to operate with third party software such as EMR`s or accounting packages. (This requires a technical design that allows it, i.e. open database as well as a vendor that is willing to create a new interface if necessary);

* Flexibility and scalability. Will the system be able to "expand" with the user and the growth of the practice through allowing the adding of processors, new products, and remote sites?

* Company stability, service and support.

The use of Information technology in a practice is thus a valuable utility in the war against time and struggle against money. IT can thus be considered as central and irreplaceable in the efficient and effective management of all practices.