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I've evaluated the best EMR software for medical practices, but in this article I'll dive into EMR software that's specifically suited to rheumatology practices.

The right EMR for rheumatology should offer automation and data entry support, easing the burden of administrative tasks like tracking patient demographics and handling referrals. I'll walk through what each EMR is best for and why to help you choose the right one for your use case.

What Is A Rheumatology EMR?

Rheumatology Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software is a specialized digital system for managing patient information and automating workflows in the field of rheumatology. It enables rheumatologists and other healthcare providers to document, store, and retrieve patient health information in a quick, efficient, and secure manner.

Physicians use this specialized software to track patient histories, order tests, prescribe medications, and plan treatments related to rheumatic diseases, improving their capacity to deliver timely and personalized care.

They also come equipped with templates that further ease the process, minimizing the time spent on routine tasks. The key pain points these tools address revolve around streamlining your administrative workflow, automating repetitive tasks, and providing you with the information you need when you need it.

Best Rheumatology EMRs Summary

Tools Price
athenahealth Pricing upon request
AdvancedMD From $429/user/month, (billed annually).
eClinicalWorks From $449/user/month
Epic EMR Pricing upon request
Experity From $499/user/month.
SRS EHR From $400/user/month
NueMD From $100/user/month
NextGen Healthcare From $429/user/month
CyChart EHR From $200/user/month
ChartLogic Pricing upon request
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Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

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Best Rheumatology EMRs Reviews

Best for insightful data analytics

  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 3.7/5

athenahealth is a healthcare IT services company offering cloud-based services for electronic health records (EHR), revenue cycle management, medical billing, and patient engagement. The tool distinguishes itself through its robust data analytics capabilities, providing insights to practices that prioritize data-driven decisions.

Why I Picked athenahealth: I picked athenahealth because of its exceptional data analytics capabilities. While analyzing various tools, athenahealth's powerful analytics platform stood out, providing comprehensive and actionable insights into practice performance.

I believe it's 'Best for...' healthcare facilities that emphasize the use of data analytics for better decision-making and improved patient care.

Standout Features & Integrations:

athenahealth offers comprehensive EHR features, patient engagement tools, and a powerful analytics platform. It provides medical billing services backed by data analytics to optimize revenue cycles. Furthermore, athenahealth has integrations with labs, pharmacies, and several other third-party healthcare applications to streamline operations.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integration with various third-party healthcare applications
  • Comprehensive EHR and practice management features
  • Powerful data analytics for better decision making

Cons:

  • Customization options could be improved for individual practice needs
  • Some users have reported occasional software glitches
  • The user interface may feel somewhat complex to new users

Best for cloud-based convenience

  • From $429/user/month, (billed annually).
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Rating: 3.6/5

AdvancedMD is a leading provider of cloud-based healthcare practice management software. It offers an all-in-one solution that caters to multiple aspects of healthcare practices, making it particularly beneficial for those seeking the convenience of cloud-based systems.

Why I Picked AdvancedMD: I selected AdvancedMD for its impressive cloud-based offering. The decision stemmed from its capability to provide comprehensive practice management solutions accessible from anywhere. The convenience that comes with its cloud-based system is unparalleled, and thus, it stands out in my comparison. I judged AdvancedMD as the 'Best for...' practices that value the convenience of cloud-based systems.

Standout Features & Integrations:

AdvancedMD offers key features such as electronic health records (EHR), practice management (PM), telemedicine, and medical billing services. It also provides a patient portal to improve patient engagement. AdvancedMD integrates with numerous third-party applications for billing, labs, imaging centers, and pharmacies, simplifying practice operations.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Provides a patient portal to enhance patient engagement
  • Offers a range of integrated healthcare practice management features
  • Comprehensive and reliable cloud-based solution

Cons:

  • Some users mention that customer support can be improved
  • The feature-rich nature can make the system somewhat complex to master
  • Its price point may be out of reach for small practices

Best for practices prioritizing telehealth services

  • From $449/user/month
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Rating: 3.6/5

eClinicalWorks is an integrated healthcare IT solution that offers a comprehensive suite of services, with a particular emphasis on telehealth. Its robust telehealth capabilities enable clinicians to meet patients' needs remotely, which aligns it perfectly with practices that prioritize telehealth services.

Why I Picked eClinicalWorks: I chose eClinicalWorks because of its excellent telehealth services. Not many healthcare IT solutions can match the telehealth capabilities of eClinicalWorks. Its ability to seamlessly integrate remote healthcare into the workflow is what made me select it for this list.

Given the rise of remote healthcare services, I found eClinicalWorks to be the 'Best for...' practices prioritizing telehealth services.

Standout Features & Integrations:

eClinicalWorks offers a myriad of beneficial features, such as electronic health records (EHR), practice management (PM), and population health management.

The telehealth service, however, stands out as it allows physicians to provide virtual healthcare, expanding their reach. eClinicalWorks integrates with various billing systems, labs, pharmacies, and imaging centers, promoting efficiency in healthcare service delivery.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integrates well with a variety of systems for efficiency
  • Comes with a wide range of other useful features
  • Offers a comprehensive telehealth service, vital in the current healthcare environment

Cons:

  • Customer service has room for improvement according to some user reviews
  • Might offer more features than some practices need, making it somewhat complex
  • The pricing is on the higher end, making it less accessible for smaller practices

Best for large healthcare systems

  • Pricing upon request

Epic EMR is a comprehensive Electronic Medical Records (EMR) platform designed to streamline the process of patient management in large-scale healthcare facilities. Its robust scalability and wide array of features align with the complex needs of large healthcare systems, thereby justifying its suitability for this category.

Why I Picked Epic EMR: I chose Epic EMR due to its impressive scalability and its ability to cater to the intricate needs of large healthcare systems. Its broad spectrum of features and robust data-handling capabilities set it apart from the competition. I hold the opinion that Epic EMR is 'Best for...' large healthcare systems due to its ability to handle large volumes of data, multiple departments, and diverse healthcare services.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Epic EMR comes with a suite of features including, but not limited to, patient portals, scheduling, billing, e-prescribing, and robust data analytics. Its compatibility with a variety of other software solutions, including medical billing and practice management software, significantly enhances its utility in large healthcare systems.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Compatible with a variety of other software solutions
  • High scalability for large healthcare systems
  • Wide array of integrated healthcare management features

Cons:

  • Requires substantial training to use effectively
  • May be overly complex for smaller practices
  • Pricing information is not readily available

Best for urgent care rheumatology clinics

  • From $499/user/month.

Experity is a dynamic Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform developed to provide streamlined healthcare management services to urgent care clinics. It offers an exceptional blend of speed, efficiency, and convenience, making it a perfect fit for urgent rheumatology clinics requiring fast and effective operations.

Why I Picked Experity: I selected Experity primarily for its focus on delivering fast and efficient EHR services to urgent care practices. It stands out in its field due to its ability to handle high patient volumes and swift workflows, key features in urgent care rheumatology clinics.

Based on these attributes, I believe Experity is 'Best for...' urgent care rheumatology clinics that require effective and speedy operations.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Experity comes with a wealth of features including an intuitive patient queue system, rapid charting, and advanced analytics for actionable insights. Its integrations with numerous billing systems and lab interfaces enhance its efficiency and offer more streamlined operations for urgent care clinics.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Advanced analytics for improved decision-making
  • Robust integration with billing systems and lab interfaces
  • Rapid charting feature that caters to high patient volume

Cons:

  • Customer support can be improved
  • Initial setup and training may be time-consuming
  • High cost per user

Best for hybrid EMR-EHR functionality

  • From $400/user/month

SRS EHR is a robust medical software tool that combines the features of both electronic medical records (EMR) and electronic health records (EHR), offering a complete suite of solutions for medical practices.

It provides capabilities such as digital charting, billing, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging, which allows for improved coordination and efficiency in a clinical setting, particularly where a hybrid EMR-EHR system is required.

Why I Picked SRS EHR: I chose SRS EHR for this list due to its unique blend of EMR and EHR functionality, providing a unified and comprehensive platform that suits a wide range of medical practices. This unique trait makes SRS EHR different from its competitors.

Its hybrid functionality makes it the best choice for practices that require a combination of both EMR and EHR capabilities, fulfilling a broad range of clinical and administrative needs in one system.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Key features of SRS EHR include an advanced patient portal, a flexible data platform, and interoperability services. It provides integrated voice recognition for efficient data input and clinical decision support for more informed care. Its integrations with various third-party systems such as billing and lab services enable a seamless workflow in the clinical environment.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Advanced patient portal enhances patient interaction
  • Interoperability services improve workflow
  • Unified platform for both EMR and EHR

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • User interface could be more intuitive
  • High starting price may not suit smaller practices

Best for small to medium-sized practices

  • From $100/user/month

NueMD is an electronic health record (EHR) system that offers a broad range of features designed to simplify the management of patient data and streamline administrative tasks. This tool is particularly suited for small to medium-sized practices, providing them with robust functionality at an affordable cost.

Why I Picked NueMD: I chose NueMD for this list because of its well-designed features that cater to the specific needs of small to medium-sized healthcare practices. What makes NueMD stand out is its ability to balance comprehensive functionalities with simplicity, making it both powerful and user-friendly.

I determined NueMD to be best for small to medium-sized practices due to its cost-effectiveness and intuitive interface that can accommodate the workload of these practices without overwhelming their resources.

Standout Features & Integrations:

NueMD offers robust features including appointment scheduling, claims management, and a patient portal. Additionally, it provides electronic prescribing, allowing practices to send prescriptions directly to pharmacies.

The software integrates with a variety of other systems such as laboratory management systems, medical billing services, and imaging centers, making it easier for practices to consolidate their operations.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive feature set
  • Cost-effective pricing
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Customer support could be improved
  • Requires training to fully utilize all features
  • Limited customization options

Best for practices seeking interoperable solutions

  • From $429/user/month

NextGen Healthcare is a comprehensive medical software tool designed to streamline workflows, manage patient data, and foster efficient communication within healthcare institutions. Its primary strength is the ease of interoperability it provides, which makes it a great choice for practices that require seamless integration with various other systems.

Why I Picked NextGen Healthcare: NextGen Healthcare became my choice due to its strong emphasis on interoperability. The tool's capability to seamlessly integrate with a range of other systems and tools is what sets it apart from the rest. It stands as the best choice for practices seeking interoperable solutions because it significantly improves data sharing, communication, and overall efficiency across different systems.

Standout Features & Integrations:

NextGen Healthcare boasts robust features like electronic prescribing, revenue management, and patient portal. It also provides an efficient medical billing system and has advanced telehealth capabilities.

This tool is integrated with a variety of other systems including lab services, pharmacy systems, and third-party billing services, which contribute to its interoperability strength.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Advanced telehealth capabilities
  • Comprehensive suite of features
  • High-level interoperability with other systems

Cons:

  • Higher starting price compared to some competitors
  • Learning curve may be steep for some users
  • Interface could be more user-friendly

Best for integrated patient engagement tools

  • From $200/user/month

CyChart EHR is a comprehensive electronic health record software that excels in facilitating improved patient engagement. Through its numerous patient-centric features, the tool aids healthcare providers in streamlining communication, managing treatment plans, and increasing overall patient involvement in their health journey.

Why I Picked CyChart EHR: I selected CyChart EHR because it merges medical record management with dynamic patient engagement features. This combination is unusual in the market, and it's what makes CyChart stand out. In my judgment, CyChart EHR is best for integrated patient engagement tools because it allows for more personalized, efficient, and comprehensive communication between providers and patients, fostering active patient involvement in the care process.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Key features of CyChart EHR include secure messaging, appointment scheduling, and access to educational resources. These patient engagement tools not only foster better communication but also empower patients with knowledge about their health conditions.

The software integrates effectively with leading practice management systems, enhancing its functionality and ensuring smooth data exchange.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive set of features
  • Excellent integration with other practice management systems
  • Intuitive patient engagement tools

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Steep learning curve for non-tech savvy users
  • High starting price

Best for speech recognition charting

  • Pricing upon request

ChartLogic is a medical practice management solution that offers a distinct feature: speech recognition for charting. It allows healthcare providers to convert speech into text, which simplifies charting and medical record keeping. This special focus on speech recognition makes ChartLogic the best option for speech recognition charting.

Why I Picked ChartLogic: I selected ChartLogic for this list because its speech recognition functionality sets it apart from many other tools in this space. The ability to convert speech into text for medical charting offers a unique value proposition. In my judgment, ChartLogic is 'Best for...' speech recognition charting, as it saves time and reduces manual effort for healthcare providers.

Standout Features & Integrations:

ChartLogic provides a set of useful features such as appointment scheduling, billing, electronic medical records (EMR), and notably, a powerful speech recognition function for effortless charting. It integrates well with various medical billing systems and other medical management software, making it a versatile tool in a clinical setting.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integrates well with various medical billing and management systems
  • Provides a suite of essential healthcare practice management features
  • Robust speech recognition feature for charting

Cons:

  • The learning curve may be steep for non-technical users
  • May not be suitable for small practices with simpler needs
  • Pricing is not transparent and requires a quote

Other Rheumatology EMRs Tools

Below is a list of additional rheumatology EMRs that I shortlisted but did not make it to the top 10. Definitely worth checking them out.

  1. PracticePerfect

    For physical therapy-focused rheumatology practices

  2. Cerner

    For comprehensive health network integration

  3. MEDITECH

    Good for organizations demanding a solution with a broad range of functionality

  4. Greenway Health

    Good for practices wanting a customizable EHR with strong data management

  5. Practice Mate

    Good for administrative streamlining and efficient billing

  6. CPSI EHR

    Good for rural and community hospitals looking for a comprehensive solution

  7. FirstEMR

    Good for outpatient medical practices prioritizing ease of use

  8. CureMD

    Good for smaller practices seeking a cost-effective solution

  9. FollowMyHealth

    Good for patient engagement and remote care

  10. PointClickCare

    Good for post-acute care providers seeking seamless transitions

  11. MedWorxs Evolution

    Good for hospitals and health systems requiring robust interoperability

  12. SequelMED

    Good for multi-specialty clinics needing flexibility

  13. Medscribbler

    Good for practices needing tablet-friendly EHR

  14. MedicFusion

    Good for chiropractic practices seeking a dedicated EHR

  15. AllegianceMD

    Good for practices seeking an all-in-one solution with EHR, practice management, and billing

More EMR Software Reviews

I've summarized the overall best EMR software in addition to covering the best EMRs for specific use cases here:

By specialty:

Other types:

Selection Criteria For Rheumatology EMRs

In the journey to find the best Electronic Health Records (EHR) software, I examined more than 20 tools, rigorously tested their features, and evaluated their functionalities. My intention was to find the ones that offered a perfect blend of core functionalities, key features, and usability, and were able to meet specific healthcare requirements.

Core Functionality

Choosing the right EHR software means considering what it should enable you to do, which includes:

  • Managing Patient Records: The tool should offer a seamless way to store, access, and manage patient records.
  • Scheduling Appointments: It should aid in scheduling and tracking patient appointments efficiently.
  • Managing Billing: The software should streamline billing procedures and handle insurance claims.
  • Prescribing Medication: It should offer functionalities to prescribe medications digitally and track their usage.

Key Features

Certain features stand out when it comes to choosing an EHR software, such as:

  • Interoperability: The ability to share and access data across different healthcare systems and networks.
  • Patient Portal: It provides patients with access to their medical records, prescriptions, and a way to communicate with healthcare providers.
  • Analytics: Tools that help analyze patient data for better healthcare delivery and decision making.
  • Compliance: The software must be HIPAA-compliant and meet other relevant regulatory standards.

Usability

An effective EHR software should offer:

  • An Intuitive Interface: The software should be easy to navigate and not require extensive technical knowledge.
  • Onboarding and Training: Comprehensive training material should be available for users to understand the software quickly.
  • Customer Support: A responsive customer support team is crucial in case of any technical difficulties or questions.
  • Role-based Access: It should allow role-based access to ensure sensitive patient data is available only to authorized personnel.

People Also Ask

What are the benefits of using rheumatology EMR tools?

Rheumatology EMR tools offer a plethora of advantages, including:

  1. Improved Efficiency: These tools centralize patient data, thus making the retrieval and management of patient information more streamlined and efficient.
  2. Enhanced Patient Care: EMRs enable rheumatologists to easily track patient histories, helping them make informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment.
  3. Time-Saving: Automated billing, scheduling, and other administrative tasks save time that can be devoted to patient care.
  4. Better Communication: EMR tools can facilitate improved communication with patients through built-in patient portals.
  5. Compliance and Security: These tools adhere to compliance standards like HIPAA and provide enhanced security for patient data.

How much do rheumatology EMR tools usually cost?

The cost of rheumatology EMR tools can vary widely based on the features, scale of operations, and vendor. Most vendors operate on a subscription model, charging on a per-user/per-month basis.

What are the pricing models for rheumatology EMR tools?

Most rheumatology EMR tools use a subscription-based pricing model, often priced per provider, per month. Some might also offer a one-time licensing fee model. Usually, there are additional costs for implementation, training, and support.

What is the typical range of pricing for rheumatology EMR tools?

The price can range from as low as $30 per user/month for more basic offerings to over $500 per user/month for more advanced and comprehensive systems.

Which are the cheapest and most expensive rheumatology EMR software?

Based on average costs, eClinicalWorks is one of the more affordable options, starting at $49 per user/month. On the higher end, systems like Epic Systems can cost upwards of $500 per user/month.

Are there any free rheumatology EMR tools?

Yes, certain EMR tools like Practice Fusion offer a free version of their software. However, these free versions may

Summary

In conclusion, choosing the right rheumatology EMR tool can significantly impact your practice's quality of care, patient outcomes, and efficiency. This guide has explored numerous software options, each with its unique strengths, pricing, and core features to consider.

Key takeaways:

  1. Define Your Needs: Determine the specific needs of your practice. Consider elements such as the size of your practice, the complexity of operations, and desired features like telehealth capabilities, data analytics, and ease of use.
  2. Evaluate Core Features: Pay attention to core features that matter in a rheumatology EMR such as robust patient records, integration capabilities with labs and pharmacies, secure messaging, and efficient billing systems.
  3. Consider Pricing and Value: Understand the pricing model and ensure that it fits within your budget. Cheaper isn't always better if it means compromising on essential features. Instead, look for a solution that provides the best value in terms of features, support, and overall user experience.

Learn More

If you're still looking for the right tool, I also have a summary of the overall best EMR software for you to check out!

John Payne
By John Payne

John Payne is the co-founder and company director of Symphony Health. With over 20 years of management experience John is working alongside his wife, Dr. Kate Payne to build a multi-site Medical Practice where staff work collaboratively for the good of their patients. John is passionate about improving access to quality Healthcare in North Vancouver and sharing best practice with other people managing medical practices.