Practice management software: a comparison of providers

One of the main tasks of the practice management software is the management of the electronic patient file, including the documentation of medical history, findings, diagnosis or laboratory values, the management of documents, appointments and medication or even correspondence with the patient or medical colleagues. Other important functions: the creation of invoices with health insurance companies or associations of statutory health insurance physicians and invoices for private liquidation or the transfer of data to other medical practices via secure networks.

The list of extras offered by digital practice management programmes is long. From the integration of the Online appointment allocation for patients or a Video consultation from automated form management to individually configurable action chains that help your staff to organise workflows even more efficiently, practice management software offers you comprehensive options for even more successful practice management, depending on the provider.

Important: The practice management software should make everyday life easier, not more difficult. (Image: www.giphy.com)

As you work with it every day for years, the decision in favour of a provider or solution should be carefully considered. What requirements should the system fulfil, what functions should it have? The large number of providers and options makes it difficult to get an initial overview. When deciding for or against practice management software, the size of the practice, the type of organisation or the specialist area naturally also play a role, as does the cost factor.

Once you know roughly what you want after an initial analysis, the search for the right provider begins. The bad news is also the good news: the large number of providers and software packages, which at first glance makes the choice difficult, also ensures that you will find exactly the right one for you, your practice and your requirements.

Some providers offer the option of downloading and trying out a free demo version to help you decide. You may also have already had your eye on a particular PVS from colleagues or at a trade fair.

The following provider comparison, which we have prepared for practice owners, provides a further basis for decision-making. You can use this overview to get an initial idea of how the offers differ from one another.

• Smaller providers are more flexible, large providers offer more security.
• Is regional support offered?
• Do you have a "good connection" to your (future) contact person?
• Does the software have the most important and relevant interfaces for you?
• Are you aiming to work without parts and would this be possible with the software?
• Have you had the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the practice management software from a colleague or at a trade fair?
• If offered: Have you installed and tested a free demo version? Have you involved your practice team in the test and received positive feedback?
• Is the price right? Do you know the costs for the required modules (or the complete package) and the hardware? Are the running costs also known?
• Do you value having a central point of contact? Then it may be worth buying from a single source. Local providers are often more expensive, but the higher costs pay for themselves, especially in the event of problems or when support is required.
• Do you want a particularly favourable solution? Then buy each component where it is cheapest.

Source: Praxis-IT: Welche Software soll's sein?, KVHB, available on the Internet at https://www.kvhb.de/praxis-it