Presenters

Carlo Calabrese, ND, MPH; NCNM/Helfgott; 049 SW Porter, Portland OR 97214;

503 552-1733; fx 503 227-3750; ccalabrese@ncnm.edu
Michael Cronin, ND; 9200 E. Raintree Dr, Suite 150, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-451-6161; fx 480 306 5304, mjcronin@earthlink.net
Patricia Herman, ND, PhD

Format
This abstract is being submitted for a 90 minute general oral presentation

Title
Integrating Electronic Medical Records in the Naturopathic Office

Description
A presentation combined with a panel of experienced naturopathic EMR users on implementing
software for electronic medical records (EMR) integrated with practice management software

Abstract and learning objectives

A prominent feature of the current national administration’s health policy is the encouragement of
interoperable electronic medical records (EMR) or electronic health records (EHR) for purposes
of health information accessibility and transfer. Such systems also hold substantial promise for
research, both descriptive and analytical. This presentation will focus on the general features and
benefits of such systems, the potential advantages to the naturopathic profession of their adoption,
and the general in-office practicalities of implementation. It will also address the integration of
EMR with practice management software. The presentation will be in two approximately equal
parts: a lecture presentation briefly covering the points below followed by a panel discussion and
question and answer period with NDs experienced with the use of EMR.
1. Attendees will learn about key aspects of various systems including such features as electronic
visit forms, electronic labs, eprescribing, pharmacy management, standards for interoperability,
etc.
2. They will understand some pragmatic benefits including fee for service (cash) practices,
insurance processing, access to patients, documentation of staff communication to patients, staff
efficiencies, and marketing

3. They will gain a greater understanding of how to choose among software packages and
vendors.
4. They will be exposed to the potential for practice-based research, both in networks and in
individual offices, for descriptive, outcomes and cost studies.
5. They will gain an appreciation of costs (inital purchase, monthly expenses) and common
obstacles to implementation.
6. The present status of the profession in regard to EMR will be reviewed.
7. They will better understand the current political and policy trends.
Attendees will also interact with practicing naturopathic physicians experienced with and
currently using EMR. The target audience is primarily NDs who are considering or wish to be
better informed on the current trends towards EMR. However, the presentation will also have
interest for researchers and policy-makers. The presentation will not have significant pharmacy
content.

Biographical sketches
Carlo Calabrese is Research Professor at NCNM, Senior Investigator at its Helfgott Research
Institute, and adjunct faculty at OHSU where he is the Associate Director of the NIH/NCCAM
Developmental Research Center on CAM, Expectancies and Outcomes. His is an NCNM
alumnus (1983) and served as Clinic Director and Dean of Clinical Education (1987-90). His
MPH is from UW (1992). He led the effort for the Department of Education’s recognition of the
CNME, the profession’s accrediting agency, and subsequently was chosen the AANP’s first
Naturopathic Physician of the Year (1987). He was principal author of the first NIH research
grant made to a naturopathic institution (1994). He has served on the NIH/NCCAM’s Advisory
Council and Data Safety Monitoring Board. He has published clinical trials and observational
studies in natural medicine, and he mentors several NIH-funded naturopathic research fellows.
He is particularly interested in evaluating naturopathic medicine as a whole practice.

Michael Cronin is in full time private practice at Naturopathic Physicians Group in Scottsdale
Arizona. His ND is from NCNM (1980) where he did a residency in physical medicine/family
practice. His practice emphasizes naturopathic physical medicine, prolotherapy, platelet rich
plasma and musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound. Dr Cronin is a founding board member of the
AANP, the Naturopathic Academy of Therapeutic Injections, the founder of Southwest College of
Naturopathic Medicine and its initial president. Dr Cronin is on the board of the AANP, NATI,
and the Arizona Naturopathic Medical association. He has been exploring the use of EMR for 5
years and has recently committed to purchasing a system for his office.

Patricia Herman is a naturopathic physician, a research methodologist, and an economist

with 25 years experience in cost effectiveness analysis. She has three years of
NIH/NCCAM-funded training in complementary and alternative medicine research
methodology as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona, and recently
completed her PhD in psychology, studying program evaluation and research methods.
She is at present Senior Research Scientist for the Evaluation, Research and Development
Unit of the University of Arizona studying healthy lifestyle behavior change and health
policy, and also works as a methodologist for various research projects around North
America. Her research interests lie in health services research and methodology, and in
how people value and participate in their health. Dr. Herman received her Doctorate in
Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in 2003 and is now a licensed physician in
Arizona.