For a while now I have been debating whether or not there would be a use for an integrated electronic medical record (EMR) and a customer relationship management system. To further understand the problem you first have to define EMR and CRM. An EMR is a system that allows physicians and staff the ability to document patient encounters, streamline workflow and share information to appropriate parties like other physicians or staff. CRM allows marketing, sales and customer service staff the ability to track customer encounters, streamline sales and customer service processes and share information to individuals and managers.

It looks as if EMRs and CRMs do basically the same core functions. They both manage information from a patient type, interactions with customers and set off workflow. Where they differ is when they are used with the patient and what information is stored.

So that still leads to us to the question, could EMRs and CRMs be integrated? The answer is yes. Depending on whom the patient is interacting with would determine which system would be used. If the situation is clinical in nature then an EMR would be used or if it is in regards to customer service or marketing for administrative staff the CRM would be used.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM visit Cornerstone Solutions Web site.