Epic is not priced or designed for the small provider offices. However, if current Epic customers are willing, they have the ability to bring those smaller groups onboard through Community Connect. This allowsthe smaller group to have the full benefit of Epic without the hardware and software costs associated with owning Epic.
TherapyNotes is ideal for any size practice with single or multiple providers/clinicians. Its scheduling, billing, EHR, and online portal are great for English speakers but not at all user-friendly to Spanish speakers. It is definitely affordable for a start-up practice and fees associated with merchant services are low compared to competitors.
There are doctors' notes templates with prepopulated fields in them. This saves a lot of time.
Epic sends medication orders to pharmacies electronically so that we do not have to call. This saves a lot of time.
Epic has a Secure Chat feature via which we can send HIPAA protected messages to any employee with the patient's name and record attached.
It has a PDMP link. We can look up what controlled medications such as opiates patients have been prescribed and by whom.
It links to MyChart, which is a platform via which patients can look up their own information without them having to call the doctors. This saves a lot of time.
Visual Updates: While Epic is constantly improving the user experience, there are a few features that still need a design refresh. While this does not effect functionality, it does have an impact on user perception.
Ordering: While placing an order for a physician is very easy, a few changes to the workflow could improve the experience for physicians.
Spanish documents are not available. There is not a way to use Spanish documents that can be filled out online like the English documents; instead, the practice must upload a PDF into the Library, share with client via portal and have then print, fill out manually, and upload for organization review and approval.
Sync feature from Client History Form is inconsistent. It may work with some clients but not with all. Sometimes the user has to completely log out and log back in in order to obtain partially parsed information to use in a treatment plan or psychotherapy note.
You should invest time into taking a training class before using Epic, but once you get the hang of it the usability features are endless! My favorite part about Epic is how it is automated and "trained" to catch user errors that would typically be missed in normal documentation/charting. This ensures accuracy and eliminates errors.
The initial training was good but would have been even better had I been more familiar with the system before taking it. I found learning how to deal with Epic while working in the field at the same time was a (pardon the pun) Epic learning curve. I really think there should be a scribe who does the data entry and others can focus on what they do best.
Epic gives extensive customization options in terms of utility and view. I have found this to be highly useful and efficient EHR as compared to other EHRs we use in our organization.
It must have had a positive impact as things get done quicker, leading to easier billing/coding. It must be saving a lot of money and time. I am not aware of a better product.
Saves time specifically with entering notes which means I can spend more time seeing clients.
Does not have the ability to enter dual caregivers. Challenging for parents who are divorced and signatures are required from both parents. It is not effective to have two separate portals for the same child.
