The Software You'll Need to Run Your DPC Practice

Electronic health record

The main contenders are Elation, Atlas.md, and Bagel (that's us!). We started Bagel with the goal of fixing some major limitations imposed by the other major options. Read more about what we do better here. We're still under development—but you should join our Facebook group to stay updated! We'll be posting videos of new features as we implement them and accepting feedback from the DPC community. It's a rare opportunity to shape your dream EHR software. You can join the group here.

Membership management

You'll need a way to keep track of your members, enroll new patients, and manage billing in an automated way. We do this too! Bagel is an all-on-one software for DPC, not just an EHR. We help you manage charting, patient billing, scheduling, e-prescribing, lab/rad ordering, patient communication, and more. Other options are Atlas (another all-on-one software) and Hint.

Patient communication

Having a second phone number for patients to call/text is vastly preferable to giving out your personal number. Many tools also let you route texts/calls from your "virtual number" to the device/number of your choice based on the time of day. This functionality is built into Bagel.

There's a huge diversity of tools out there, each of which offers a unique feature set and interface. Two good ones are Spruce Health and Hale, both of which offer secure messaging, phone calls, teleconferencing, and a dedicated mobile app.

If you're just looking for a second phone number to use as a "business line", check out Google Voice or RingCentral.

Inventory management service

You'll need this if you do in-office dispensing. (This is also built-in to Bagel.) There are many altneratives, most of which are surprisingly expensive: MDScripts, Flexscan, and DispensePointto name a few.

E-prescribing

Some EHRs offer this as in integrated tool — including Bagel. There are also plenty of standalone e-prescribing tools out there; MDScripts and DrFirst are popular (but can be expensive).

E-faxing

Also integrated into Bagel. Some other standalone options are HelloFax, RingCentral, MetroFax, and Doximity.

Dictation software

Use dictation to make charting easier and faster. Dragon is widely used and offers a both generic and medical-focused versions (the medical version is more expensive). Apple users can use the baked-in Siri dictation on their Macs/iDevices, though your mileage may vary.

Text expander/macros

If you prefer typing notes, you can still expedite the process with a good snipper/macro software like TextExpander or Breevy. These tools let you specify snippets (e.g. "ros") that automatically expand into a full block of text (e.g. a Review of Systems). You can also specify fillable fields inside each snippet.

Virtual assistant

Some DPC docs use a service called HelloRache to "automate" a lot of the burden of charting. This service gives you a trained virtual assistant/scribe who listens in on your patient visits via videochat and charts them in real time.

Check out these other useful services

Dropbox
store files in the cloud (HIPAA-compliant with a Dropbox Business account)

Rubicon
consult a network of specialists to quickly get answers to hard medical problems

IntakeQ
single tool to create customized web forms and let patients electronically sign documents

FollowUpThen
easily schedule email reminders for yourself - there's a lot to remember when starting a practice