For most things, having too many features can create challenges and often makes  things more difficult. Think of that state-of-the-art remote control, that’s supposed to  simplify your life by combining all your equipment together. Most often, you’re left with a  remote to a system that makes it more difficult to simply turn on the TV. 

It’s the same with chiropractic practice management software. It’s challenging to find the  right balance between the features you need, and the ones you don’t to successfully run  your practice – you don’t always need to go overboard on additional apps and plugins.  So, when you’re looking at chiropractic software for your practice, you should consider  the core features you need first. 

Doctors need to be able to effectively enter their medical records into a system that’s  quick and accurate – not one that’s connected to different apps to accomplish a simple  task. For example, you wouldn’t want separate adjustment tables for a patient’s arms,  legs, and body. You want an adjustment table that accommodates all patients because  it makes the most sense and allows you to accomplish your manipulation in the most  efficient way, without increasing your costs by having to buy many tables. Chiropractic  software is the same, you don’t want one that requires downloading several different  apps to connect individual parts of the practice. While some of the apps work well, they  often create a situation where the software features become overkill, and the software  itself is a burden. As a result, the core features you need – billing, scheduling, practice  management – get diluted and lost in the shuffle. 

Additionally, more features usually mean more training. And while training is a  mandatory portion of the process, it shouldn’t be difficult or take an abundant amount of  time. Having software that is more straightforward and absent of unnecessary features,  gets your practice up-and-running faster during installation, while allowing you to train  staff in days rather than months. The more streamlined the system, the easier it is to  work with and train your staff. So, when you’re considering additional features, choose them wisely and know what you’re paying for. 

The software market is filled with solutions for chiropractors. Many offer apps and  plugins in addition to core features in an effort to make your practice run more  efficiently. The question is: do the additional apps and plugins really make the core  features better? Sometimes yes, most of the time, no. It’s important to keep it simple,  especially in the functions that are core to the success of your practice.

One thing’s for sure: core features will always be the backbone of chiropractic practice  management software, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Additional features only  deviate from the ultimate goal: helping patients.