In recent years, a significant shift has been towards person-centered care in physical, speech, or occupational therapy practices. This approach recognizes each client’s unique needs, desires, and goals, emphasizing their active participation in the therapy process. Implementing person-centered care requires aligned workflows and therapeutic approaches. Here’s the thing: According to Harvard Business Review, about 70% of initiatives fail, regardless of the industry. An EHR that enables you to focus on person-centered care is essential for successful implementation. Let’s find out why you need an EHR that not only supports your clinical workflows but also prioritizes client engagement and collaboration.
What Is Person-Centered Care?
Person-centered care is a holistic approach that considers clients’ physical, emotional, and social well-being. By involving clients in their treatment decisions, setting goals together, and tailoring therapies to their unique needs and preferences, therapists can foster empowerment, motivation, and ultimately better treatment outcomes. Person-centered care not only improves clients’ quality of life but also enhances the therapeutic relationship between clients and therapists.
Essential EHR Features for Person-Centered Care
To effectively implement person-centered care, physical, speech, or occupational therapists need to assess potential EHR solutions for several key features.
User-Friendly Interface
An intuitive and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate ensures therapists can spend less time dealing with technology and more time focused on their clients’ needs. If your EHR is too hard to use, you won’t make the most out of it, and you’ll struggle to implement necessary changes in your practice.
Fusion is designed specifically for physical, occupational, and speech therapists, so our EHR includes all the tools you need – without the complexity.
Smart Documentation
Customizable templates allow clinicians to document highly specific treatment plans and enable them to provide tailored care that aligns with their client’s unique circumstances.
An EHR system should have the ability to create and document individualized care plans for clients. This ensures therapists can outline specific goals, interventions, and treatment strategies. Care plan documentation helps therapists track progress and tailor treatments over time.
With its intuitive user interface and customizable templates, Fusion minimizes the time therapists spend on paperwork and documentation, allowing them to allocate more time and attention to their clients.
We can help you find the right EHR for your practice. Download your free guide and see what the experts recommend for modern practices.
Outcome Measurement Tools
EHRs that integrate data collection tools allow therapists to track and analyze treatment outcomes. These tools enable therapists to assess the effectiveness of interventions objectively, adjust treatment plans as needed, and demonstrate the value of person-centered care to clients and payers.
Fusion incorporates a robust analytics platform that provides therapists with valuable insights into treatment outcomes, enabling them to continually evaluate and refine their interventions. This data-driven approach enhances the quality of care and facilitates evidence-based decision-making.
Interprofessional Collaboration
Ideally, your EHR should possess advanced interoperability capabilities, allowing therapists to share client information with other healthcare providers seamlessly. This facilitates collaboration and ensures that clients receive coordinated care across different disciplines.
EHR systems with features that support interprofessional collaboration enhance person-centered care. Sharing data, exchanging secure messages, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals involved in the client’s care can lead to better coordination and shared decision-making.
Fusion’s interoperability capabilities ensure seamless information exchange between therapists, physicians, and other healthcare providers, fostering comprehensive, integrated care.
Client Education Resources
A client portal is a crucial component of an EHR system that promotes client engagement. The portal enables individuals to access their medical records, communicate securely with their therapists, schedule appointments, access their HEPs, and participate actively in their care plans. This level of involvement empowers clients and encourages them to take ownership of their health.
EHR platforms that include access to a library of client education resources can help therapists educate and engage clients in their care journey. These resources can help clients understand their conditions, treatment options, and self-management strategies, promoting active participation in their own care.
Fusion also includes a client portal that empowers individuals to actively participate in their care. Through the portal, clients can access their treatment plans, progress notes, and educational resources.
Mobile Access
EHRs that offer mobile access can be beneficial for therapists who provide services in various settings, such as homes, schools, or community centers. Mobile access allows therapists to easily document treatments, access client information, and communicate with clients, improving efficiency and client engagement. By making point-of-care documentation easier, your EHR can also alleviate the administrative burden of therapists.
By prioritizing the unique goals, preferences, and aspirations of clients, therapy sessions become more engaging, meaningful, and effective. This approach transforms therapy from a prescriptive process to a collaborative and personalized journey, ultimately improving the overall well-being and outcomes for clients. As therapy professionals continue to embrace person-centered care, we can expect to see even greater positive impacts on the lives of those receiving therapy services.
It’s clear that occupational, speech, and physical therapists have a life-changing impact on their clients. At Fusion, we want to help you spend more time with clients. Fusion is specifically designed to support person-centered care by integrating features that enhance client engagement, collaboration, and efficient documentation. With your practice streamlined, you can focus on restoring your clients’ lives. See what we can do with your own eyes. Schedule a demo today.
