One-on-One With an Industry Expert

Practice management is not a subject studied in-depth at chiropractic schools. So how can chiropractors find effective, easy-to-use tools for their offices? Chiropractic Products spoke with W. Jay Taylor, vice president of marketing research for MicroFour Inc, Amarillo, Tex, about wireless computer software programs designed for integrated management solutions.

What new practice management technology can DCs use in their practices?
MicroFour has invested much development time and dollars into allowing doctors to run the charting portion of PracticeStudio in a wireless format. This includes the ability to use tablets or Pocket PCs. One of the obvious advantages of the Pocket PC is the per unit cost of the device. Also, the mobility of the wireless devices lends themselves to treating patients and recording notes within the normal flow of a clinic. These features go hand-in-hand with the touch-screen entry feature.

What is the MicroFour solution to practice management?
PracticeStudio has an integrated solution for today’s chiropractor, which includes medical records, billing, claims, scheduling, and practice management reporting. Patient charges can be posted to the patient’s bill while recording the chart notes. Standard billing as well as electronic claims is part of the integrated solution.

What is the history of MicroFour Inc?
MicroFour was founded more than 15 years ago. The initial concept of the company was to develop a software solution for chiropractors using touch-screen technology. The original vision remains at the core of the product, even 15 years later. One of the original chiropractic consultants for MicroFour said, “I need to do a day's work in a day.” This resulted in the original product, DCez, and has grown more functional and diverse with the newer versions of PracticeStudio.

Tell us about MicroFour’s commitment to the chiropractic profession.

Developing software for the chiropractic profession was one of the founding goals of MicroFour. The commitment and dedication to the chiropractic profession continues to remain firm with an important portion of expected revenues derived from chiropractic software sales. The expenditures in the wireless arena in recent years is proof positive that MicroFour continues to be heavily vested in producing leading edge products for today's chiropractor.

What do you see for the future of chiropractic?
As a recent study reflected, chiropractic patients personally pay on average 25% of the total cost of their treatments. This speaks highly of the profession because patients realize the benefits of chiropractic. As overall medical cost rises, patients are looking for more realistic and effective means of treatment. Chiropractic fits that bill. CP