"Usability" may be one of the biggest buzzwords to emerge from the chiropractic EHR debate in recent months, particularly as reports have emerged regarding widespread frustrations with this technology. But what exactly is usability in this context, and what changes can be made to prevent it from impairing EHR adoption and implementation.

Recently, Dr. Jacob Reider, who is currently serving as acting national coordinator for health IT before Dr. Karen DeSalvo takes the reins this month, elaborated on this issue for the government office's official blog.

"Traditional market forces generally keep products that are difficult to use from succeeding, and as any user of an Apple Newton remembers, the promise of an innovative solution isn't always realized and will/should fail in the marketplace," he wrote. "Yet some have argued that the meaningful use incentive program altered market forces in a way that prevents well-intentioned products from failing as did Apple's first 'personal digital assistant.'"

Reider notes that usability is much more difficult to gauge for chiropractic EMR software than it may be for consumer-facing products, in part because the decision makers often aren't the end users. In addition, these programs often must work in conjuction with other aspects of a hospital or clinic's existing healthcare IT, which can cause further stalls. Even the hardware currently in place can radically transform user experience with the best chiropractic EHR.

So, with these obstacles in mind, what can physicians do to ensure they select chiropractic management software they can actually use? The key is to find a provider who recognizes the unique challenges that your practice may face, and is willing to troubleshoot, provide training and generally work toward your complete satisfaction. Offering software that can be adapted both to changing federal regulations (ICD-10, anyone?) and your specific needs is also essential.