Technology and Electronic Health Records

Electronic Health Records

• APA participates in hearing on EHR certification program

  New voluntary program intended to improve coordination of care.

• Is cloud computing right for your practice?

  This article discusses cloud computing, including privacy and security issues, to help determine if this option is right for you.

• 10 Tips for Selecting an Electronic Health Record System (PDF, 255KB)

  An electronic health record (EHR) system in your practice has many potential benefits, including facilitating integrated service delivery, accessing your patients’ records from almost anywhere and helping to optimize office efficiency.

• How much do you know about electronic health records?

  Take our quiz to help you find out.

• Keeping Electronic Health Records Private and Secure (PDF, 276KB)

  Practical tips for psychologists on maintaining security and privacy of patients' electronic health records.

• Video: Electronic Health Records

  This video offers psychologists an understanding of how electronic health records work

• Putting Electronic Health Records into Practice (PDF, 153KB)

  Electronic records allows psychologist, physician, occupational therapist or other clinicians to keep an electronic copy of a patient’s records all in one place, which facilitates exchange of information.

• Charting the Course of Electronic Health Records (PDF, 197KB)

  Electronic health records offer many benefits to both patients and practitioners, including more coordinated care, reduced medical errors and an opportunity to showcase the value of psychological treatment.

• Electronic Claims 101: The Future Is Now

  Practitioners are finding that transmitting insurance claims electronically to carriers, managed care companies, and other healthcare payers can increase their practice's cash flow and help to streamline their billing operations.

• Privacy of Health Records a Top Concern for Consumers

  It is important for practitioners to ensure they have taken steps to adequately protect their patients' records as required by HIPAA, and to communicate this information to current and potential patients.

Privacy and Security Online

• ABCs and 123s of Encryption (PDF, 279KB)

  What practitioners need to consider regarding data encryption.

• Text therapy: New platforms spark questions

  Several companies have developed Web-based platforms designed to connect prospective therapy clients with a professional via text messaging. However, many questions arise for consumers and psychologists as these companies promote this new way of engaging in therapy. Here are several considerations for psychologists and the public.

• Mobile mental health

  The growing market of mobile apps includes mental and behavioral health-related apps that could be used to supplement psychological services.

• Managing Fallout from Online Reviews (PDF, 315KB)

  Health care providers should have knowledge on how to avoid bad reviews, how to respond to negative reviews and if legal action can be taken.

• The New World of Apps (PDF, 357KB)

  Through mobile apps that allow users to monitor their health and wellness, psychologists can now connect with patients in ways that could supplement the therapeutic relationship and provide additional support to patients.

• Social Media: What’s Your Policy? (PDF, 112KB)

  Dr. Keely Kolmes, a psychologist pioneer in the professional use of social media, answers questions related to establishing social media policy for a psychology practice.

• How to Recover Your Data When Disaster Strikes
• Identity Theft: Take Steps to Minimize Risk

  According to a 2003 survey of identity theft victims, the emotional impact of identity theft can parallel that of victims of violent crime. Setting accounts and credit right again takes victims an average of 600 hours of work.

• Avoiding Identity Theft: Tips for Psychologists
• Protecting Your Patients from Identity Theft
• Securing Your Computer
• Beware of Spyware: Is Your Computer Being Monitored?

Automating Your Practice

• Automating Your Practice, Part 1:
  Work Smarter, Not Harder

  Important factors to consider in automating a practice, including making effective use of technology to handle routine administrative tasks.

• Automating Your Practice, Part 2:
  Deciding What Technology You Need (and Don’t Need)

  Learn how to conduct a technology needs assessment to identify computer hardware and software tools to automate your particular practice.

• Automating Your Practice, Part 3:
  Selecting and Configuring Technology

  While each practice is unique, and each will likely have special hardware or software needs, here are a few sample equipment, software and service configurations designed to get you started.

Technology 101

• An Ounce of Prevention: Prepare for Computer Failure
• Getting Control of Your E-mail Inbox

  Managing email can also be a burden, consuming practitioners' time and taking them away from other important business and professional activities. This article offers some simple tips for getting control of your email inbox and processing your email more efficiently.

• Eight Simple Tips for Keeping Your Computer Running Smoothly
• Finding the Computer Support You Need
• Getting the Most from Your Computer
• Elements of a Professional Website