There are a number of EMR and EHR rating websites out there. The problem that I have is that none of them are really very good at all. They all have MAJOR weaknesses and some are just completely and utterly flawed. Some require the EMR and EHR vendors to pay them to be rated. Doesn’t that just wreak of conflict of interest?

There’s just so many ways to have the ratings of EMR and EHR vendors be skewed. Dr. Oates, Founder of SOAPware, recently wrote a blog post about the problems with many of the EMR and EHR rating websites and reports. Certainly he has a vested interest in his EMR software to be ranked highly, but this part aside he raises some very important questions about the accuracy and value of these various ranking systems.

Here’s one sample of the challenge of ranking and rating EMR and EHR vendors:

In addition to accepting user evaluations, many of the ranking systems require that vendors also fill in yes/no to a large list of features. Historically, many vendors have demonstrated tendencies to answer “yes” to functionalities to which a “no” would have been more accurate. Because we tend to answer honestly, we have sometimes ended up inaccurately appearing to be less functional than some others.
There are inherent problems with each of these surveys in that the survey results can, and often are, manipulated by the vendors who are paying a the most of attention to them. Because these surveys are the result of users offering information, some vendors will expend great effort to be certain that many, mostly happy users of their product are in some fashion encouraged to participate in the surveys. SOAPware has typically avoided such activities, because it ends up being a game to see who can motivate the most satisfied users to engage the ranking system.

This is just a small sample of the challenges of trying to honestly and effectively get quality ratings and reviews of EMR and EHR vendors. Yet, providers and practice managers have an insatiable appetite to try and get information on the various EMR and EHR vendors.

Trust me, this is not an easy issue. If I knew the solution, I’d have already done it myself. I write about this since I think it’s a valuable and important message for doctors to be very very careful trusting any of the data coming out of these EMR and EHR ratings websites. Instead, go download the Free copy of my EMR Selection e-Book and do the work necessary to rate them based on your specific practice needs.

UPDATE: See the comments from Randall Oates below where he explains that SOAPware is just one of the EMR/EHR options that will be connecting to the Collaborative Care Solution that IBM is offering. It seems the IBM offering amounts to more of an HIE specification that any and/or all EMR vendors can adopt. A little different idea than what I posted below.

I’m sure most people in the tech world remember the days when Big Blue ruled the tech world. In fact, there’s even a saying which I’ve been hearing more and more lately that basically goes that “no tech person ever got fired by choosing IBM.” Basically meaning that everyone was choosing IBM and so it was a safe bet. Kind of reminds me of Epic in the hospital IT space.

Well, last week IBM made an announcement about their new Collaborative Care Solution. The press release is honestly one of the worst I’ve seen. Usually amidst the PR speak you can at least summarize what they’re really doing in a couple sentences. Sadly, I can’t do that from the press release.

There was also a post about the IBM announcement on the SOAPware blog. Still not a very informative post, but it does provide the interesting connection between the solution IBM is offering that with the SOAPware EMR. A good announcement for SOAPware, especially after their release of the SOAPware PMS software.

I confirmed that the SOAPware EMR/PMS will be what IBM is offering with their Collaborative Care Solution. It will be interesting to see how this collaboration develops. Is it a real collaboration or just another marketing arm for SOAPware.

This is a SHOUT OUT to all doctors who use EMRs. Which EMRs do you use and how do you like them. Do you love them or hate them? Are you luke warm in your like or dislike? Tell us which EMR you have and how you feel about it. Also tell us what you would do (the mistakes and the good moves) if you were looking into getting an EMR at this time.

I have personally looked at Greenway PrimeSuite, SOAPware, SRSsoft, e-MDs, AmazingCharts, NextGen, Centricity and others.

Can you comment on the cost and the usability?. Let’s share information so we can help other doctors choose systems that are usable, simple to learn, effective and efficient.

If you don’t have an EMR and are looking into one, what questions would you have for those “who have gone before you”? What advice would you be interested in receiving?