Anyone in the market for the best chiropractic EMR software knows full well that the healthcare IT sector has been expanding rapidly in recent years. Suddenly, your options for chiropractic management software seem endless, while the importance of selecting the optimal program for your practice is greater than ever – particularly with ICD-10 and meaningful use stage 2 on the way.

Yet the expansion we've seen in the last decade may only be the beginning. Recently, the research firm Markets and Markets released a report on this sector indicating that the next three years will see even more astronomical growth.

"The healthcare information technology by component comprises of hardware, software, and services. The North American [healthcare IT] market is forecast to grow at a [compound annual growth rate] of 7.4 percent to reach $31.3 billion by 2017 from $21.9 billion in 2012 due to the increasing demand for clinical information technology, and administrative solutions and services," the report abstract states. 

The driving forces behind this surge include government-backed financial incentives, an aging Baby Boomer population and an increasingly pressing need to reduce healthcare costs across the board. However, the report posits that issues surrounding interoperability and insufficient protocols, among other obstacles, may act as roadblocks for medical practitioners who attempt to enter the fray. 

Overall, the expansion of healthcare IT will ultimately benefit medical professionals and patients alike on both a micro and macro level, facilitating better day-to-day care while enabling practitioners to identify and address larger health-related trends. Chiropractors must note, though, that this growth will inevitably draw more players to the chiropractic EMR circuit, emphasizing the need for thorough discernment before committing to a specific provider. To avoid becoming one of so many physicians seeking replacement EHR, make the right choice from the start by prioritizing training, technical support and an approachable interface.