Dermatology Software Guide

Get an overview of the different types of software that you may need if you are planning to set up a private dermatology practice.

Author: Jennifer Highland, Content Manager of Miiskin | Reviewed by: Jon Friis, founder, and CEO of Miiskin

Covered in this article:
Dermatology practice management software | Teledermatology software | EMR and EHR software | Medical scheduling software | E-prescription software

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To set up a private dermatology practice, there are a few different types of software that you may need. These include dermatology practice management, EMR/EHR, telemedicine, medical scheduling, and e-prescription software. 

These are all different systems that work together to help run your practice. Here we will go over the different types of dermatology medical software and a few examples to help you select the right one for your needs and budget. 

Types of Software for Dermatology Clinics

There are a few different types of software you can use to run a dermatology practice:

1. Dermatology practice management software/dermatology clinic software/dermatology office software
2. Telemedicine for dermatology
3. EMR and EHR software
4. E-prescription software
5. Booking system/Medical scheduling software

1. Dermatology Practice Management Software

Dermatology practice management software, also known as dermatology clinic management software, is a program used to operate medical and healthcare practices.

Its core purpose is to help organize administrative tasks, streamline appointment bookings, simplify invoice creation and billing, and manage patient medical records. This type of software plays an integral role in a clinic’s operations. In many cases, this medical practice management solution is used together with EHR systems and telemedicine software.

2. Teledermatology Software

When someone talks about teledermatology software, what comes to mind in most cases, is synchronous telehealth (live video conferencing) between a patient and a dermatologist.

Although live-video-conferencing is indeed one form of telecommunication, it’s inefficient because it requires a stable internet connection from both ends, which is rare.

The second method is called asynchronous telehealth or store and forward telehealth which is defined as a telehealth visit in dermatology powered by the transmission of images and other health-related information from a patient to a provider or from a provider to provider through a store and forward teledermatology platform

Patients use a teledermatology app to share photos of their skin condition with their dermatologist and other health-related data such as chief complaints and symptoms. 

Dermatologists access a web portal to view all their patients’ requests and tend to them whenever they have the chance. 

Offering virtual visits to your patients is extremely important these days. There are a few nationwide online dermatology services that are taking over many patients from private dermatology practices, which means, that if your clinic does not cater to young digital patients, someone else will.  

Store-and-forward teledermatology provides you with the opportunity to attract the new generation of digital patients, and generate a new revenue stream for your clinic. 

This technology can also help you shorten the waiting time for patients who need urgent assistance, such as the case of Megan Fry, a Minneapolis resident who requested an urgent visit via the Miiskin app with a local Minnesota Dermatology Clinic because of a cancerous lesion. 

3. Dermatology EMR and EHR Software

Some people use the terms “electronic medical record” and “electronic health record” (or “EMR” and “EHR”) interchangeably. However, the main difference is that EMR records cannot be shared outside the clinic. At the same time, EHRs are designed to be shared all over the healthcare system, including primary care physicians, specialists, laboratories, and any other healthcare professional who may need them.

3.1 Dermatology EMR Software

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are the digital version of the paper charts used in a doctor’s office. An EMR system contains the medical and treatment history of the patients in a dermatologist’s practice, and they have a few advantages over paper records¹. 

3.2 Dermatology EHR software

Electronic health records (EHRs) focus on the overall patient’s health, and it goes beyond the standard clinical data collected in a doctor’s office. EHR systems are built on sharing information with many health care providers, such as laboratories and specialists. They contain information collected from all the clinicians involved in the patient’s care². 

With EHRs, the patient’s information is available by any healthcare professional whenever they need it. 

• Increased health care coordination
• Improved diagnostics and outcomes
• Increased efficiency and cost savings
• Better patient care
• Increase patient participation³

4. Booking System: Medical Scheduling Software

Medical scheduling or booking software streamlines the booking process for patients. It helps patients, providers, and administrators save time, reduce hassle, and improve efficiency.

These medical booking systems should offer automatic appointment reminders and consolidate multiple calendars, staff, locations, offices, teams, and timezones.

5. E-prescription Software

Electronic prescribing (E-prescribing) software allows dermatologists to renew prescriptions electronically and send them to a participating pharmacy, once a pharmacy gets the request, they refill the medication. 

Conclusion

In general, as a dermatologist, you can do many things to set up your practice for success. Choosing the correct type of dermatology software and dermatology tools will help you simplify your practice’s operations and provide state-of-the-art treatment. 

If you’re looking to set up a dermatology clinic, you should know what the available technology can do for your practice. Each type of software plays a specific role in the running of your practice. This can have many advantages for clinics as you can find comprehensive software that may act as a one-stop solution or smaller alternatives that offer just what you need.

Click on the links if you are interested in learning about some tips to help you attract new patients to your clinic or digital marketing strategies to promote your dermatology clinic.

References:
¹ https://www.healthit.gov/buzz-blog/electronic-health-and-medical-records/emr-vs-ehr-difference
² https://www.healthit.gov/buzz-blog/electronic-health-and-medical-records/emr-vs-ehr-difference
³ https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/benefits-ehrs

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