Interview with Dan Montzka MD, President IntelleMED, Inc.-- EMR for Ophthalmology

Today I'm talking with Dan Montzka, a board-certified practicing ophthalmologist, founder and president of IntelleMED.

This presentation is published below as a YouTube podcast but is also available for download as an MP3 from this link. To listen to our interview, please click the Play button on the YouTube presentation below.

I start by asking how Dan got into this field. He's not a programmer. Dan left a large multi-speciality practice and started a new practice on his own. He was Interested in efficiency of using an EMR, but didn't feel the current offerings were suitable for the things he was trying to do in practice.

IntelleMED is based on one of the Microsoft Office applications called InfoPath, used generally for the generation of templates. They got so far using templates, but eventually called in some programming to complete their application. Microsoft Infopath stores everything in a standards-based XML format, but eventually you need some database to give you a data-centric EMR. IntelleMED use the Microsoft SQL Server database within some of its modules.

IntelleMED is used as an in-office Server application but could quite easily move to and ASP application.

What drew me to IntelliDRAW was the use of lots of color and dots --- a bit like a Christmas Tree. I ask why an ophthalmologist would need to draw?

Ophthalmologists document using drawings and diagrams -- this is a really time consuming thing that they do.

It can take several minutes for a detailed diagram. There may be a small amount of revenue from the documentation, but they really want an accurate description of what's happening for the patient. When getting started Dan noticed big limitations in existing drawing packages.

Ophthalmologists need a very detailed and specific drawing in a short amount of time. This is what IntelleDRAW provides.

The IntellMED Charting system is granular in nature. What does IntelliMED mean by granular?

Data is specific. Location, severity or status of a leision can be documented specifically. Individual findings -- thay can then be edited.
Especially in ophthalmology and retina patients are older and present with multiple abnormalities.  An ophthalmologist finds that a granular system is far better.

I ask about the Smart Pick-List for charting findings. Dan explains that it's difficult to have a template created that was just "disease specific". Instead they use a template that is more "problem-list" specific,using a unique set of smart pick-lists for any patient.

I ask how was the response to the announcement of IntelliDRAW at this past meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dan explains "Really kind of exciting. Everyone who saw it, came back for a second look with their partners or with other contacts. This was really how they wanted to do drawings compared to other Icon based drawings. This is quite different from the usual Drag-and-Drop onto a drawing backgrounds. You're spending more time looking for the right icon, than drawing. An IntelleDRAW diagram is created in layers from your documentation. Basicallty you press a button and the system gives you a proposed drawingt which is then edited by layer.

The IntelleMED products are:

• IntelleCHART
• IntelleVIEW
• IntelleFILE
• IntelleDRAW

Do Doctors typically use all the functions together? Some have their own viewing packages which they can work with separately. What we provide for is that very detailed examination done very quickly.

I ask why is Ophthalmology so different from other types medicine? Patients are older, with multiple issues and a different focus. Can this product be demonstrated over the internet?

IntelleMED recommends a tablet with active digitizer screen for the best experience for detailed drawings. I was "drawn" to the color -- must be the holiday season. Dan explains that they're also using Microsoft "Ink" technology. This gives a very smooth drawing experience unlike the grainy experience of older drawing systems.

What is Dan's key message? Take a look at this system -- The most important thing for an Ophthalmologist is how this will it affect their clinical efficiency. They are very busy. They need to continue to see same number of patients they were seeing when just using paper. They can start running IntelleMED software very quickly and continue to practice medicine wihout delay.

Thank you Dan Montzka M.D., President and founder of IntelleMED.

You can download this interview as an MP3 from this link.