It was an ad for an EMR I had never heard of. Polished video, confident claims, glowing testimonials. It did not take long to see what was off. Nothing in it checked out. The video was generated, the smiling doctors in the testimonials had no PRC records I could find, and the landing page could have been ours with the logo swapped.

I have been building healthcare software in the Philippines for 10 years, and copycats are nothing new. What is new is how cheap they got. A copycat operation used to need a designer, a copywriter, and a few weeks of effort. It now needs one person, AI tools, and a free afternoon. Everything can be produced on demand except the software itself.

That ad is why this guide exists. Choosing an EMR was already a hard decision. In 2026 it starts one step earlier: making sure the company behind the ad is real. Here is the full process I would use if I were a doctor choosing where years of patient records will live.

Step 1: Check the company before you check the features

Feature lists are the easiest thing in the world to fake. A company’s paper trail is not. Before you sit through any demo, spend fifteen minutes on the company itself.

Look for a registered business. A legitimate Philippine vendor is registered with the SEC (or DTI for sole proprietors), and will tell you the registered name when you ask. If the ad has no company name at all, or the name changes between the ad and the payment page, stop there.

Look for named humans. Who founded it? Who runs support? Real companies have people with faces, LinkedIn histories, and talks or interviews going back years. If every face on the site could be AI-generated and no named person is reachable, that is not a software company. That is a landing page.

Look for a history. Ads can be created overnight; a track record cannot. Search the product name plus “review.” Look for posts, help articles, app store updates that stretch back years. A vendor that claims thousands of users but has three months of internet history deserves hard questions. I wrote about why boring, proven software wins in healthcare in why I bet on boring; the short version is that in an EMR, a long, uneventful history is exactly what you are shopping for.

Look up the testimonial doctors. This one is very Philippine-specific and very fast: every licensed doctor is searchable on the PRC verification site. A doctor endorsing software you will trust with patient records should, at minimum, exist. If the testimonials use only first names or stock-photo faces, treat them as decoration, not evidence.

Look for the Data Privacy Act basics. Your EMR vendor will process sensitive personal information, which puts it squarely under the Data Privacy Act. Ask whether the company is registered with the National Privacy Commission and who its Data Protection Officer is. A vendor that cannot answer within one email has not thought about the law that governs your patients’ data.

Step 2: Learn the marketing red flags

Once you know the company is real, look at how it sells. Some warning signs I would treat as disqualifying:

• All the proof is generated. AI video, AI photos, AI voiceover, and not a single verifiable human anywhere. The current tells: mouths that do not quite sync with the audio, backgrounds that warp near the edges, and text inside images that turns to gibberish. Checking the hands used to work; the tools have improved past that, so do not rely on it.
• The claims are copied. Paste a distinctive sentence from the landing page into Google. If the same sentence appears on another vendor’s site, someone copied someone, and the copier is rarely the one with the working product.
• Nobody you can talk to. No support, no office address, no response channel except a chat widget. You are choosing a partner for the next decade of your practice; a vendor you cannot reach before the sale will be worse after it.
• Payment goes to a person. Legitimate subscription software bills through official channels with receipts. If the “vendor” asks you to send payment to a personal GCash account, walk away. The Inquirer has documented scammers targeting doctors and health centers with fake accreditation fees collected exactly this way.
• Pressure and countdown timers. “Lifetime license, today only.” Medical software is not a flash sale. I have written before about why the lifetime license model is a red flag in itself: if the vendor’s income stops after your one payment, so does their reason to keep the servers on.

None of this is unique to small unknown vendors, by the way. The AI-content wave has reached the big end of the market too. This is the same pattern I described in my piece on “agentic AI” platforms: impressive-sounding claims, suspiciously familiar substance. The scale is different; the vetting is the same.

If you want to see how professionals verify suspicious health marketing, read a few of Rappler’s fact-checks on the deepfake doctor ads that have been circulating on Facebook. Their method is exactly what this guide teaches: check the registry, check the source, check whether the person in the video exists.

Step 3: Run the demo test AI cannot fake

Here is the good news. Everything an AI can fake lives in the marketing. The product itself cannot be faked, so make the product prove itself.

Ask for a live demo on your own phone, not a recorded video. Then run your actual clinic day through it. Encode a real (or realistic) patient. Write a prescription and print it. Book a follow-up. Look up the patient again the way your secretary would, in a hurry, between two other tasks.

Then repeat one of those tasks on clinic internet at a busy hour. Software that only works on the salesperson’s connection is not ready for your clinic in Quiapo or Quezon City at 4pm.

If the vendor cannot give you a trial account, or keeps steering you back to the video, you have your answer.

Step 4: The questions to ask before you pay

These are the questions I would want every doctor to ask us, and any vendor, before signing anything.

1. Who owns my patient data, and can I export it?

The answer must be: you own it, and yes. Ask to see an actual export while you watch, and ask what format it comes in. This is the single most important question on this list, because it is the one you cannot fix later. In 10 years I have met doctors who lost a decade of patient records to a flooded clinic or a dead laptop. Losing them to a vendor’s fine print is the same tragedy, except this version is preventable on the day you sign.

2. What happens to my records if I leave, or if you shut down?

A serious vendor has a written answer: how long you can still export after cancelling, what gets deleted and when. A vendor that has never been asked this question has never thought about your worst-case scenario.

3. What does the price include, all in?

Get the full number: per user or per clinic, storage limits, training, support, and which features cost extra. Hidden fees usually hide in modules, storage, and “premium support.” If pricing only exists on a call, ask for it in writing after the call.

4. How do I reach support, and how fast do you respond?

Ask for the actual channels and the actual response time, then test them while you are still a stranger. After a decade of watching support from the vendor side, here is an honest rule: the response you get before you pay is the best response that vendor will ever give you. If pre-sales already takes three days to reply, that is the ceiling, not the floor.

5. How do you handle the Data Privacy Act?

NPC registration, a named Data Protection Officer, where the data is hosted, and how backups work. You are the one facing your patients if this goes wrong; the vendor should make it easy to answer them.

6. How will you migrate my existing records?

Whether you come from paper, Excel, or another EMR, migration is where switching hurts. Ask what they migrate for you, what you must encode yourself, and how long it realistically takes. If you keep paper charts, ask whether you can start with appointments only and bring records in gradually.

7. Will this handle my PhilHealth work?

If PhilHealth programs like YAKAP matter to your practice, ask exactly which workflows the vendor supports and ask for the accreditation or certification behind the claim, then verify it with PhilHealth directly. Accreditation claims are easy to make and easy to check.

8. Can I talk to two of your actual users?

Real vendors have doctors who will vouch for them, doctors you can text, in specialties like yours. This one question filters out every fake vendor at once.

Where I stand in all this

Full disclosure: I co-founded SeriousMD, so I am a vendor in the market this guide covers. I have tried to write it so the advice holds no matter whose software you end up choosing, and the honest test of that is simple. Run every check above on us too. Look up our history, ask us the eight questions, ask for the live demo and the export. Any vendor worth trusting with your patients’ records will welcome that, and the ones who do not have told you something more useful than any ad.

If you are earlier in the decision and still mapping what your options even are, I keep an overview of the different kinds of EMR providers in the Philippines, from notebook-and-Excel setups to full cloud systems, and a separate piece on why I do not recommend free EMR systems as a long-term home for patient records.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if an EMR vendor in the Philippines is legit?

Check five things: SEC or DTI registration, named founders and staff you can reach, a multi-year public track record, testimonial doctors who appear in the PRC registry, and a live demo with a trial account. A fake vendor fails most of these in the first fifteen minutes.

What are the biggest red flags when choosing an EMR?

Fully AI-generated marketing with no verifiable humans, copied claims, payment to personal accounts, lifetime-license flash sales, and any vagueness about data export. Any one of these deserves a pause; two or more, walk away.

Can I trust the testimonials on an EMR website?

Only after you verify them. Search the doctor’s name on the PRC verification site and check that the person practices in the specialty the testimonial claims. Unverifiable testimonials are marketing copy, not proof.

How can I tell if an ad or demo video is AI-generated?

Look for lip-sync that drifts from the audio, backgrounds that warp or shimmer, and text inside the video or images that dissolves into gibberish. But do not rely on spotting the fake; rely on checks that do not care how good the fake is, like registries, live demos, and talking to real users.

What happens to my patient records if I stop using an EMR?

That depends entirely on the answer you got in writing before you paid. You should own your data outright, with export available during and after your subscription. If a vendor cannot demonstrate an export, do not start.

Are free EMR systems safe to use?

Free tools are how many doctors start, and the good ones are honest side doors into paid plans. The risk is a “free forever” system with no visible business model, because servers and support cost money and something has to pay for them eventually. I wrote a longer piece on why free EMRs worry me.

How much does an EMR cost in the Philippines?

Anywhere from free tiers to monthly subscriptions that scale with users and clinics. The number matters less than its completeness: get the all-in price including storage, support, and training, in writing. A cheap headline price with hidden modules usually ends up as the expensive option.

Should I get a subscription or a lifetime license?

I have a strong view here: subscriptions align the vendor’s survival with your service continuing, while lifetime licenses pay the vendor once and hope. The full argument is in my subscription vs lifetime license piece.

The post How to Choose an EMR in the Philippines (2026 Guide) appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

Every few years, corporate tech decides to rebrand the same old workflow automation and call it revolutionary. Someone just sent me an article about “agentic AI” in healthcare, and honestly? I’m tired of watching smart people fall for the same repackaged solutions.

The Pattern That Never Changes

Let me paint you a picture that every corporate decision-maker should recognize:

Phase 1 (2005): Someone discovers Excel macros. “Look! I automated this repetitive task!” Suddenly everyone’s a “process optimization expert.”

Phase 2 (2015): RPA (Robotic Process Automation) becomes the hot new thing. Same automation, fancier name. Companies spend millions on “digital transformation” that’s basically just bots clicking buttons.

Phase 3 (2018): SharePoint and portal workflows promise to revolutionize how we work. Spoiler alert: they mostly just moved paper forms online and added more approval steps.

Phase 4 (2025): Now it’s “Agentic AI” and “digital workers.” Same automation, shinier buzzwords.

The technology improves, sure. But the fundamental promise? Identical every single time.

The Healthcare Reality Check

Here’s what really gets me about these “revolutionary” healthcare AI pitches: they promise to solve problems doctors have been complaining about for decades.

“Our AI agents will streamline prior authorizations!”
Translation: We’ll automate the same bureaucratic process that shouldn’t exist in the first place. The real innovation would be eliminating prior auth altogether, not making it slightly faster.

“Digital workers will handle claims processing!”
Great. So instead of your staff spending hours on insurance paperwork, a bot will spend milliseconds. The patient still waits the same amount of time for approval, and you still need someone to review the bot’s work.

“AI will reduce documentation burden!”
Every EMR vendor has promised this since electronic health records were invented. Yet doctors still spend more time documenting than examining patients. The “AI scribe” just moves the problem from typing to reviewing AI-generated notes.

The pattern is always the same: take a fundamentally broken healthcare process, add automation, and call it innovation. But automation doesn’t fix bad processes – it just makes them faster.

The Corporate Philippines Experience

If you’re in a leadership position at a hospital or healthcare organization and this sounds familiar, there’s a reason:

• 2010: “We need better processes!” Implements SharePoint workflows
• 2015: “We need digital transformation!” Buys RPA tools
• 2020: “We need AI!” Adds chatbots to customer service
• 2025: “We need agentic AI!” Same processes, smarter automation

Each vendor promises to solve the same problems: reduce manual work, speed up approvals, connect disparate systems. The solutions get more sophisticated, but the pitch deck? Copy-paste from the previous decade.

What Decision-Makers Should Ask

Before you get excited about the next “revolutionary platform,” ask these questions:

“What exactly does this do that structured workflows couldn’t?”
Most “agentic AI” platforms are sophisticated automation tools. Which is fine! But don’t pay revolutionary prices for evolutionary improvements.

“Are we solving the same problem we tried to solve five years ago?”
If your answer is improving approvals, connecting systems, or reducing manual data entry – yes, you are.

“What happens when the next buzzword cycle arrives?”
Because it will. And suddenly your “cutting-edge agentic platform” will be “legacy automation” that needs replacing.

For Hospital Administrators and Doctors

Before you sign that contract for the next “game-changing” healthcare AI platform, ask yourself:

“Is this solving the actual problem, or just digitizing the bureaucracy?”
If your AI solution still requires the same approvals, reviews, and documentation – just faster – you’re not innovating. You’re optimizing dysfunction.

“Who does this really benefit?”
Usually it’s insurance companies and administrators, not patients or doctors. The “efficiency gains” often mean more throughput for the same broken system.

“What happens to the human expertise?”
When AI handles routine decisions, what happens when it encounters the 10% of cases that aren’t routine? Are your staff still capable of making those judgment calls?

The Real Innovation vs. The Marketing

Here’s what frustrates me: underneath all the hype, these solutions often work. Automation saves time. Smart workflows reduce errors. Better system integration helps decision-making.

But why do we need to pretend each iteration discovered workflow automation?

The truth is simpler: We’re always trying to make computers handle routine work so humans can focus on complex problems. Whether it’s Excel macros or “agentic AI platforms,” that core goal never changes.

My Prediction for 2028

Honestly? I think we’ll see healthcare AI mature beyond the buzzword phase. The current “agentic AI” wave will settle into practical tools that actually work – less revolutionary marketing, more incremental improvements.

But the buzzword cycle will definitely continue. My guess is “Embodied AI” or “Contextual Intelligence” – something that promises to understand the “full patient journey” in ways current AI cannot. Same fundamental automation, new angle on human-like understanding.

The real question is whether healthcare leaders will start recognizing these patterns and focus on solving actual problems rather than implementing the latest technology trend.

The Bottom Line for Leaders

Next time someone pitches you the “revolutionary” solution that will “transform your organization,” ask yourself:

• Is this solving a genuinely new problem?
• Or is this a better version of automation we’ve been buying for decades?

Both answers can lead to good purchasing decisions. But only one requires revolutionary budgets and expectations.

Your 2015 SharePoint workflow wasn’t that different from today’s “agentic AI platform.” Both connect systems, route data, and reduce manual work. One just has better natural language processing and a much bigger marketing budget.

Stop falling for the cycle. Buy tools that solve real problems, regardless of what buzzword is trending this quarter.

The post Agentic AI vs. Reality: Why Healthcare’s ‘Revolutionary’ Platforms Look Suspiciously Familiar appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

“Hey, I found this EMR with a lifetime license for just ₱30,000. Isn’t that better than paying monthly forever?”

It’s a common question among doctors looking to digitize their practice. While that one-time payment might seem attractive, let’s explore why it could be a risky choice for something as critical as your medical practice.

The Hidden Costs of “Free” and “Lifetime” Medical Software

The “Free” EMR Trap

“I found this free EMR that does everything I need!”

Be cautious. Free medical software usually means either:

• It’s backed by companies who may just want access to your prescription data
• It’s a basic tool with minimal support and security
• The company is using your data for other purposes
• It could disappear anytime when the backing company changes priorities

The “Lifetime Deal” Risk

“This new EMR is offering lifetime access for a one-time payment!”

Red flags to consider:

• New companies with no track record of sustainability
• Unclear how they’ll fund ongoing server costs and development
• Risk of the company shutting down or abandoning the product
• Limited support and updates

Why Professional EMRs Use Subscription Models

1. Continuous Development

When you’re managing patient data, you need software that:

• Stays up-to-date with security standards
• Adapts to new healthcare regulations
• Continuously improves based on doctor feedback
• Maintains compatibility with evolving technology

2. Real Infrastructure Costs

Running a medical software platform requires:

• Secure cloud storage for patient data
• Regular security audits and updates
• Backup systems and redundancy
• Technical support team
• Development team for improvements

These aren’t one-time costs – they’re monthly expenses that need sustainable funding.

3. Long-term Reliability

Consider the stakes:

• Your patients’ sensitive data
• Your practice’s daily operations
• Legal compliance requirements
• Your professional reputation

Making a Smart Investment

When choosing medical software, ask:

• How long has the company been operating?
• What’s their business model for sustainability?
• How responsive is their support?
• What security measures do they have?
• How often do they update their software?

The Real Cost Comparison

Let’s break it down:

• A “lifetime” deal at ₱30,000 might seem cheap
• But if the company closes in 2 years, that’s effectively ₱1,250/month
• Plus the cost of migrating to a new system
• And the risk to your practice’s operations

While “free” and “lifetime” deals might seem cost-effective, they often end up being more expensive in terms of:

• Risk to your practice
• Time spent dealing with issues
• Potential data migration costs
• Peace of mind

Remember: Your EMR is a crucial investment in your practice’s future, not just another expense. Choose a solution that will grow and improve alongside your practice, backed by a sustainable business model that ensures long-term reliability and support.

The post Why Software Subscriptions Make More Sense Than Lifetime Deal License appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

Your patient list will continue to grow because there’s a HUGE gap in the doctor to patient ratio here in the Philippines.

You will get thousands of patients and there will come a point that you won’t be able to remember everybody’s names, even their faces, let alone the prescriptions you made for them nor the diagnosis you made.

It’s inevitable. You’ll have a TON of patients.

Then one day, a patient calls you up and asks you about what you prescribed to him.

Your patient would expect that you’d remember him and you’d want to be able to show your patient that you actually do remember and care for him.

But you think to yourself…

“Sinu nga ba ulit ito?”  (Who’s this patient again?)

and you end up asking yourself or out-loud…

“Ano ulit yung naprescribe ko sa inyo?” (What did I prescribe to you again?)

For many doctors, that’s already embarrassing.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

So, I’m in a restaurant and a patient calls me, asks me a question and I’m thinking to myself… “uh… who are you again?” It’s not your fault, it’s just that you see so many patients day to day, it’s impossible to remember every voice/face, let alone what you prescribed or what your diagnosis was. That’s why you need SeriousMD. Join the revolution. https://rplg.co/6e9d1a30 #TechieNotRequired

A post shared by Serious MD (@serious_md) on Aug 29, 2019 at 10:44pm PDT

How about this?

“Doc, tumawag si (patient name), ano ulit yung procedure niya?”

“Sinu nga pala siya? Ano yung sinulat ko diyan?”

“Doc, wala yung record dito pero sabi niya”

“Tatawag muna ako sa kabilang clinic. Babalikan kita.”

Or how about this common scenario for ophthalmologists:

“Doc, I had my eye consultation last month. Am I a good candidate for LASIK surgery based on my last check-up?’ ‘Hmm, let me check your records…’ (while frantically searching through papers or trying to remember the details)”

I’ve personally heard those stories hundreds of times already!

You Need a Patient Records Management System

Personally, I think every doctors needs a patient records management system.

A real, legit, EMR system that actually values your notes and your workflow.

I’m not saying this because we want to push SeriousMD. SeriousMD is just fine because of the referrals we get from doctors that love the system. We don’t do hard sells and we damn sure don’t send people to your departments, to take your photos without permission (or if you disagree, the person would go to the board and take your picture there) and put them up on the site to make it look like they have users. I think you know what I’m talking about here.  *wink

Anyway, I’m advocating it because I’ve seen doctors in action use it. I’ve seen the difference.

I’ve seen the change in the clinics I’ve visited, before and after.

I’ve spoken with over a thousand doctors personally and I’ve seen their faces light up. How they’re now able to go home earlier, finish clinic on time, not have pains in their hands for writing the same prescriptions over and over. We’ve also received countless messages of how it has helped them and changed their lives. How it has made things better for their patients.

That’s why I think every doctor needs to use a legitimate patient records management system like SeriousMD.

A Mindset Shift

You’ve been practicing for so long and you have this process already practically set in stone. It’s definitely going to be a huge problem to integrate a patient records management system, right?

Well, yes and no.

Yes, because anything new is already associated to it being hard. I’m an adult just like you so I can attest to this, but a lot of the things we consider hard, isn’t really hard. It’s just us being lazy or we’re just making an excuse to not make any changes because we’re not 100% committed to the idea… yet.

No, because it just takes a simple mindset shift. Once you decide to do something, you find a way to make it work. It’s like you studied medicine for years to be a doctor. YOU WANTED IT. You found a way. It takes a shift and you will find a way to make it happen. It’s one of the reasons why we built SeriousMD to fit easily into your workflow.

It’s Your Turn

I’ve heard stories from SeriousMD users talking about their experiences. It’s always fun to discuss their different paths to eventually getting start using a patient management records system AKA electronic medical records system, or better known as an EMR.

How about you? What’s your story? What led you here to this page?

Let me know by dropping me a DM or let us know in the private group here on Facebook.

———

If you need a reliable patient records management and EMR system for your clinics in the Philippines, then look no further than SeriousMD. *wink again

The post The Need for a Patient Records Management System in the Philippines appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

Sure, the idea of having one medical records system is ideal rather than a segmented mess of different softwares like what has already happened in other countries, but I know that it’s impossible to please everybody. No product out there can do that and that was actually the topic of a talk I did recently.

There are doctors that will just want his own personal database, and that’s it. Some will never eeeeeeever trust data being stored outside their own USB drive. Some will just want a way to keep pictures. With all the features, benefits and things you can do inside of SeriousMD, for some, they might just want 1 thing.

This post is going to be about the possible SeriousMD alternatives and I’ll list down the pros and cons as well.

The “Not Really an EMR System” 

You know these kinds of softwares. You’ve probably used them already.

For some doctors, using the built-in Notes app on their iPhone is already good enough. They create a new note and give it the patient’s name. Add all consult data there and you’re done.

I’ve met resourceful doctors that would use an app like the My Medical app, which was built for storing family member medical records and used it for his patients. Some doctors would even use Evernote, similar to how the Notes app above is used.

• Positives Ultra Simple. Save text notes and some can accept images.
• Weaknesses Used Solo, so you won’t be using it in tandem with your staff. Limited or no updates, no databases of HMOs/Drugs/Etc., may or may not be able to store images. Printing out prescriptions may or may not be possible.Data will be mainly unstructured, which means it won’t be possible to do reports.
• Privacy/Security Many are encrypted. Backups are done manually. DPA phase 2 = not outsourcing so you’ll have to be clear with how you secure the data.
• Hardware Costs Computer or Mobile Phone (Use existing or Php 25k+)
• Software Cost $4.99 – $20 Per License or $8+ Per Month

Personal Database

Some doctors are in love with spreadsheets, so they use Microsoft Excel or Numbers on Mac to keep track of all patient records.

I’ve met doctors that built their own databases inside Filemaker Pro or to a lesser extent, on an outdated app like Bento.

For doctors that want to build their own forms (let’s face it, doctors love their forms) then TapForms is one app that is used for that.

• Positives Your forms, your way. You’ll be able to print prescriptions, but it will need some trial and error. Data is structured for the most part.
• Weaknesses  Solo access. It takes setup to get started and will be an ongoing project. No built-in databases for drugs/HMOs/labs etc.
• Privacy/Security  Manual backups. Some level of security. DPA phase 2 = not outsourcing. 
• Hardware Costs Computer or Mobile Phone (Use existing or Php 25k+)
• Software Cost $50 one time or up to $100/year for MS Office

The Legacy Systems 

EMR providers have been around for decades now. EMR’s aren’t just something that was invented a few years ago. That’s why there are legacy systems out there that are still being used today by doctors.

Usually because they’ve been using it for so long and they don’t really want to change and update it anymore. 

When I see these systems, I feel like it’s a crime to even use these in today’s world LOL.

• Positives It works. Sort of structured data.
• Weaknesses Too customised. Functionality over design for sure. Built for old systems and hardwares so there will be a limit to the size it can store and it eventually slows down once it hits 1000 patients or so. Updates are harder or virtually non-existent. Reports will depend on the vendor. Offline only so it will be staying in 1 of your clinics.
• Privacy/Security Most are not encrypted. Backups are done manually. DPA phase 2 = not outsourcing.
• Hardware Costs 2 Computers (Use existing or Php 40,000+) + network setup to connect the computers (around Php 4,000+)
• Software Cost Php 40,000 – Php 300,000+ including setup fees. Maintenance fees are excluded.

Custom Made

Some doctors have a lot of moolah to burn especially if they think it can help speed them up and also if they are lucky enough to know somebody that can actually have the time to build the EMR for them.

Though few, I’ve seen my share of custom made EMR systems here in the Philippines. It’s usually some open source EMR system or an open source ERP system that was converted with medical terms. The key here is if you can find the right developer and in this case, it’s usually a 1-2 man operation, which means it will need months to build and hopefully, you could retain the services of the developer after the software is turned over to you because there will be bugs and a lot of improvements that you need to make. 

• Positives  It’s your system. Your forms, your way. You control the design. You control what should show up. 
• Weaknesses Most likely offline only. You’ll have to experiment with the people you hire. Possibility of losing the programmer and losing control of your software.
• Privacy/Security Not encrypted. Backups are done manually. DPA phase 2 = not outsourcing.
• Hardware Costs 2 Computers (Use existing or Php 40,000+)
• Software Cost Php 80,000 – Php 500,000++ (Yes, it’s not cheap to make software, let alone hire legitimate developers and designers)

“Software As A Service” (SaaS)

There are a ton of types of SaaS out there. It’s not really just one type. This is really the future of software. On-demand access with flexible yet secure storage of your data.

The differences start with the goal of the SaaS company.

Was it primarily built to manage the practice? Apps like Cliniko and Janeapp. Is it built with the medical records, notes and physician productivity in mind? That’s where SeriousMD started with.

Another thing: do they value their interface? The design matters a lot because no software wants to be the reason for the physician burning out. 

A lot of talk has been pointing to EMR’s being the cause of physician burnout in other countries. I can’t agree with that 100% because you have to look at the government and insurance companies first. They are imposing the requirements and the software companies are implementing what they could as soon as possible to comply. So it’s vital that you look into the style and how the EMR company values design.

Positives Accessible. Many are designed well or continuing to improve the design. Structures notes. Ongoing updates. Role-based access so you can use it with all your staff.

Weaknesses Internet, especially in countries with internet issues like the Philippines. Not as customizable. Databases rely on country it was made for. 

Privacy/Security Many are encrypted. Backups are automatic. DPA phase 2 = outsourcing. Ask if they are registered with NPC.

Hardware Costs Computer or Mobile Phone (Use existing or at least Php 25k++)

Software Cost  Free (I would advise that you look into why it’s free, it’s most likely because they sell your data)  or as cheap as Php 1000 – Php 12,000++ per month  (Plus Monthly Internet) – there’s usually no one time, big time set up fee as well for most vendors.

—

Conclusion

I’ve discussed practically every type of EMR software you will see out there.

Here’s my last tip when it comes to picking the right software for your medical practice: Personally, besides the main function of how I’ll use the EMR software, I’d look at the ROI (return on investment) and if I’ll “enjoy” using the system. 

Why?

Pricing is always an issue, no matter what. We know the reality, especially here in the Philippines. Doctors are showered by the pharma companies with free stuff and food every single day. I’m just being honest here. So with a system like that, it’s fair to say that some doctors will not even be open to using an EMR simply because of cost, which is why I think ROI is something that’s very important. 

Can you see more patients? Does it lower the chances of patients not showing up? Do you spend less time typing and more time with the actual patient? What’s the financial standing of the practice? Does it lessen time you spend compared to doing regular old paper records? Can I easily generate reports that takes so much of my time?

Lastly, does it save you more time? Can you even put a price on that?

I also put value if I would “enjoy” using the software mainly because you’ll be using it for years to come, even until you retire. I’m typing this blog article using a software called Scrivener. I’ve been using it for years because I enjoy using it and I don’t really enjoy using MS Word because it sucks. When it comes to the EMR for your practice, you need to enjoy using it.

That leads to you learning more about the software and actually optimizing your workflow which leads you to better productivity and again, that means more free time. Time for your patients, your side businesses, your hobbies and your family.

Yes, picking the right software can really change your life. 

The post SeriousMD Alternative appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

I was invited to do a talk about the state of EMRs in the Philippines and the different types / providers / vendors that are out there in the recent PSEDM event.

Over the past years, I’ve dealt with a lot of different EMR systems and providers here in the Philippines. Doctors have literally shown us their setups, told us about what they use, what features are cool, what are not, etc.

We also have SeriousMD that we continuously work on day in and day out so we know a thing or 2 about creating an EMR system.

So I put up a slide deck that was pretty cool. Turned it into a PDF, so now, it’s not as cool, but oh well, it’s here below.

[slideshare id=136955701&doc=psedm-emrphilippines-190318105850]

The deck includes the various benefits of using an EMR, the myths around using it, why doctors are resistant to it and of course, the different EMR’s you can use in the Philippines.

Anyway, there are a lot of choices you can choose from so you can pick what suits your needs.

As the PSEDM event covered a lot of scientific topics, I wanted to put my own scientific names on some of these EMR types.

1. The “Not Really An EMR” System (LOL)

Filipinos are inherently resourceful. We’ve seen various types of information systems that are not really meant for keeping patient notes, but they made it work for their needs. At least that got them started on going electronic! Systems like the My Medical app, which was primarily for keeping family records, to the Notes app in the iPhone. Some use Excel or Numbers. We’ve met doctors that used those systems and got by as that’s all they needed.

2. The Personal Database “Sariling Sikap” System

Doctors like, I mean, LOVE their forms. That’s why this category exists. Doctors can make their own forms in apps like Tap Forms or Filemaker. They can customize and craft it to their own liking.

3. The Legacy Systems

These are old systems that really should be illegal by now because they’re so ugly. It’s a crime to even look at them but it works, so oh well. If it works, then it works. It’s where the country is at the moment when it comes to technology.

4. The Custom Made Systems

Some doctors have some moolah to spend and sometimes, they can get lucky with a solo developer that’s willing to listen to their requirements. These systems are created specifically for the doctor, moulded with the workflow of the physician paying for it in mind.

5. The SaaS

Call it on-demand software. You subscribe, you get access to the software. This is where SeriousMD falls under. Updates, backups etc. are done by the provider, you won’t have to do it manually. You are paying for the service and convenience.

I wanted to keep this post short as to not overwhelm doctors that are still new to the EMR world. If you have questions about EMR’s, all EMR systems should be classifiable under those categories. Some will have their own gimmicks to use as marketing tools but they will still fall under one of those above.

You can check out the slide deck for the Pros and Cons of each.

If you have specific questions about EMR’s, just drop me a DM or drop me a message here.

If you want to sign up for SeriousMD, it’s free to get started.

The post The Different Kinds of EMR Providers You Can Use In The Philippines appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

It’s been 3 gruelling, challenging yet fun years.

For 3 years, you have worked your butt off to be the go to EMR software in the Philippines.

We started off with just an iPad app with 2 ways to make notes.

Today, we have an iPhone app, a web app, a complete appointments management system, a billing system, reporting, all the ways a doctor would want to take notes and many more.

We’ve travelled to hundreds of hospitals. Met over a thousand doctors. We’ve released hundreds of updates. We’ve worked with organizations and charities, saving lives not just here in the Philippines but in other countries as well.

2019 is going to be huge.

A lot more innovative EMR software features are coming and a lot of new healthcare products are being released.

To the doctors reading this, our promise is still the same. We will continue to bring you superb service so you can use technology to improve healthcare and save lives. So please continue to support us and share the word about SeriousMD. Every doctor should be using technology to their advantage. (They just need to sign up for a free account and get started. )

We’ve been around the block. We’ve accomplished a lot but there’s so much more to do this year and the next years to come.

Congratulations team. I know it’s still a long road ahead with many more challenges to come, but we’ll get there… because we have to.

The post SeriousMD – EMR Software in the Philippines, Celebrating 3 Years of Service appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

“Ang mahal naman! I can get a similar program for Php90,000 and that’s one time.”

It’s pretty common to think that a subscription is more expensive than a one time payment since you are paying month to month or year to year.

What’s pretty uncommon is actually looking at the subscription’s return on investment or ROI.

With the 800+ doctors I’ve spoken to so far 1 on 1, I’ve learned that it’s a pretty common mindset.

Those with eye centers or part of medical groups typically focus on the ROI side but for doctors mainly doing their own private practice, it’s rarer to get reactions about how cheap our product is.

The automatic mindset is that it’s a cost and that’s automatically a red flag to run.

Yes, it is a cost but a cost that has implications on increased revenue.

It’s just that the “subscription” style is just a bit too scary for many.

Look at it this way, you have a landline at home. You’re paying Php 800+ for it each month but you use it maybe once or twice a month. It doesn’t have ROI at all. In the office, you have a landline that’s probably around 1500 a month but it’s worth it because it generates business for you. That’s a subscription.

You have cable TV, it’s mainly for entertainment but you get to really use it at most once a week. You think it’s worth it. That’s a subscription. No ROI.

You have a gym subscription of 2000 a month, you go about 2 times a week. Sometimes, you go a full month just going once a week. You think it’s worth to keep it for your health.

You have a subscription to iCloud. You think it’s necessary because it stops your iPhone from bugging you about your storage being almost empty.

SeriousMD is also a subscription. It helps your practice, it helps you offer better care to your patients, it helps give you peace of mind as your backups are done automatically, it brings in an increase in follow ups, new patients via the online appointments page and of course, an increase in revenue.

Ultimately, SeriousMD gives you more time for things you love to do and more time with the people you love. We think that’s worth even more than just ROI.

SeriousMD is a SaaS, aka Subscription as a Service, which means what you are paying for is not just to be able to use the software, but also the actual service which includes support, data backups, security, storage and the continuous improvements & advancements of the app.

• If you paid for a software with a 1 time fee, more often than not, that’s actually it, you won’t get new updates. You’d have to pay again, usually around the same amount to get the new version.
• Backups are done manually if the software even gives you a way to backup. Some even offer annual “maintenance” fees which is essentially a subscription just so you can ask questions.
• Your data is also stuck in your computer, which beats the purpose of an EMR that you can use in all your clinics or during your rounds.

As you can see, a SeriousMD subscription is actually cost effective and if you really look at it, it’s actually really affordable for what you get.

And that’s it! I just wanted to put up a quick blog post to address this, just like our FAQ post.

If you are a SeriousMD user and have friends that are worried with a subscription vs. a regular “one time” fee, then do share this to them.

If you have other questions, I’m always here to help you out, just send me a message!

The post Why SeriousMD is Worth Way More Than It’s “Cost” For Doctors – An ROI Post appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

Actually, I was all sulky and demotivated for a couple weeks. It just came out of nowhere.

2 years after our launch, I was officially burnt out. All the things that I’ve been doing and juggling finally took a toll on me.

I was moving slow and obsessing less about our goals. I was the worst person to talk to. I was all “doom and gloom.”

I just wanted to step away and have nothing to do with the business. I guess this is the feeling other entrepreneurs have spoken about.

You’ll reach a point where you want to give up and it really takes everything to get you out of that mindset.

I can see how other entrepreneurs failed to get past it and entered a depression stage. It’s very easy to just give in.

I’d like to share some things that got me back on track.

REALIZE

I had to realize and admit to myself that I was in a funk. Sometimes, us entrepreneurs just keep chugging along like nothing affects us.

RESET

Take a break, refocus yourself on your goals, why you’re doing this. In my case, I took a hard look at my to do list and calendar, cleaned it up, took out a notebook and started writing what I’m thinking, what I was feeling and what steps I needed to do next to get back on track.

TALK

Not everybody will have somebody to discuss this with. Sometimes, it’s a lonely road for entrepreneurs. Talk to your spouse, people you love, your friends. Even if you feel like they cannot relate, it will help.

POWER THROUGH

You’ve taken a break. You’ve charted a course and realigned your goals. Now, start getting back on track with a renewed mindset.
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Being an entrepreneur is not easy. It really isn’t. Challenges are non-stop, the pressure is always there, the mental toll can be too much. If you feel like the world is just crumbling around you, listen to me, it won’t.
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Take a deep breath, realize, reset, talk and power through.

Your company needs you to be strong. You family is rooting for you to succeed. You are not alone.

Now, let’s get your ass back to work.

This is just a super short post. Just wanted to share what I experienced recently, it might help somebody out there.

The post Burning Out by Being a Proactive Founder and How to Deal With It appeared first on Dennis Seymour.

I love e-commerce, I love the agency model but right now, I can definitely say that I am in love with the SaaS model. I definitely prefer it over the traditional agency model.

Why?

CONTROL

Sure, the agency service model will net you bigger returns per contract but with a SaaS model, you own the product, you get a more predictable monthly income, you can scale faster, you have more possible solutions to explore for various problems, and you definitely are in control of your destiny. You control what you product becomes, what you do to acquire users, to activate them, to convert them and so on.
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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

The actual product part is a lot of fun for me to be honest. Being part of the brainstorming, development and feedback loop is just so much fun.
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Though it can get overwhelming fast, I definitely enjoy the process. If you don’t enjoy this part but like SaaS, be sure your partners love this part because your product will suffer if nobody on the team actually loves to improve it.

CHALLENGE

The challenge is also really crazy, both mentally and physically, at least for my most recent startup, SeriousMD.

The mental toll from all the product iteration, promotion efforts and so on, while traveling and meeting with users from all parts of the country is draining and balancing that with personal matters… well, let’s just say that I have to keep reminding myself of why I’m doing these things to keep myself sane LOL.

HIGH BARRIER TO ENTRY

SaaS is not for everyone. It also takes a lot of time and you’ll need a very good idea. You’ll also need a solid way to acquire users, activate users and build a good feedback loop.

If you’re a bootstrapped SaaS, then you’ll have to double the level of the challenge and if you’re a funded company, well, that has it’s own challenges.

On the flip side, there are less competitors and sometimes, practically zero direct competitors and that’s why I love it. For me, competitors in the market is just a nice to have but I’d rather be the only recognized player and have a monopoly especially on emerging industries.

——

Anyway, this is just a quick post and it’s by no means telling you that SaaS is better than what you are doing now. This is just here to inspire soon-to-be SaaS founders and those already in the trenches with their own SaaS to remember what made them love SaaS so they’d push on and succeed.

Keep SaaS-ing.

The post Here’s Why I Love Working on SaaS appeared first on Dennis Seymour.