Personalization, configuration, and customization in your EHR are sometimes confusing terms to differentiate. They involve different levels of making the EHR software unique to your users, groups of users, or organization. Some levels of these adjustments come as part of the base, out-of-the-box EHR system. Others require source code changes by your vendor, which change the initial product. Understanding these differences can help you get the solution you need.
Personalization
Personalization comes out of the box with a new EHR system. These are settings you and the vendor adjust during implementation. However, changing the software source code to set them up is unnecessary. Personalization is a feature of the software that allows it to target experiences to users in roles or as individuals. There are two types of personalization:
- Role-based Personalization groups users according to their user roles and the access they need. Staff would have specific tools or dashboards available based on their duties. You outline what functions your staff needs (e.g., Clinician, scheduler, etc.). Then, your EHR vendor sets up the access and dashboards for them.
- Individualized Personalization allows users to manipulate parts of their dashboard that are unique to them. For example, a staff member could manipulate the widgets they see or change calendar colors, or a patient could prioritize the health information shown in their patient portal.
Configuration
Configuration is also included out of the box with a new EHR and does not require core code changes. The vendor configures fields and values as you prefer to help with your workflow. Configuration will happen whether you choose to customize your EHR software or not. These are set up during implementation and also come as part of your out-of-the-box EHR purchase. Examples of configurable items include:
- Email templates
- Portal forms
- Reports
- Security roles
- Revenue recognition schedules
- Page layouts
- Custom fields & objects
Customization
Customization is not a part of the out-of-the-box EHR system. Sometimes clients need more changes than possible with personalization and configuration alone. Customization requires changing the source code of the EHR software to meet your organization's needs. That makes it become custom to you.
Which Do You Need?
You may or may not need EHR customization. Personalization, configuration and customization in your EHR depends upon your particular needs. Any reputable EHR vendor would be able to do an informational interview and uncover this. Your workflow and process best practices are going to establish that. Personalization and configuration come along with the EHR you purchase. Only customization requires going beyond the out of box EHR to make the product specific to you. Not everyone needs more than the baseline solution.
