2 minutes
The doctor's surgery has transformed significantly with the rise of digital technology. Part of care is now also played out in the way information flows: before the appointment, during the consultation, at the time of prescription, or during follow-up.
Practice management software, computerised patient records, appointment booking platforms, pre-consultation, and even decision support tools: these solutions do not all have the same role, but they pursue a common goal: to support healthcare professionals in their daily practice and contribute to a smoother patient journey.
This development is also reflected in usage. According to a 2024 survey conducted by the URPS Médecins Île-de-France among more than 300 self-employed doctors, 91% report subscribing to a practice management software, for an average cost of €151.77 per month. (1)
The question is therefore not to draw up a list of tools to adopt, nor to recommend one solution over another. Each practice has its own constraints, habits, and way of working.
The objective is rather to understand what the main digital tools used in doctors' surgeries are for and how they fit into the daily organisation of care.
Decision-making support tools
Digital tools do not replace the doctor's clinical reasoning. However, they can help secure certain decisions or provide quicker access to useful information during the consultation.
Prescription support software
Prescription support software (LAP) assists the practitioner when writing prescriptions.(2)
In particular, they can flag:
certain contraindications;
drug interactions;
incompatibilities related to allergies;
recommended dosages.
Their objective is to improve prescription safety while facilitating access to updated information on medicines.
The French National Authority for Health (HAS) defines prescription support software as software with at least one function allowing the preparation and editing of a medical prescription. It also publishes a certification standard aimed at ensuring minimum requirements regarding the safety and quality of prescriptions.(2)
Artificial intelligence: a new assistance tool
Artificial intelligence is gradually playing an increasing role in the tools used by healthcare professionals.
Today, it can contribute to the analysis of medical images, the interpretation of certain tests, document research, or the synthesis of clinical information.
These tools help assist the doctor with certain repetitive or time-consuming tasks. However, they do not replace the clinical examination, the practitioner's experience, or their medical responsibility.
Artificial intelligence must be considered as a decision-support tool, and not as a substitute for medical judgment.
Conclusion
The digital medical practice no longer relies on a single piece of software, but on a set of tools that meet different needs: managing activity, preparing consultations, securing prescriptions, organising patient follow-up, or facilitating exchanges between healthcare professionals.
The challenge is therefore not to accumulate solutions, but to choose those that best integrate with one's organisation and practice. Every practice has its habits, constraints, and priorities.
As practices evolve, these tools are taking on an increasingly important role in the daily lives of caregivers. Used well, they help to simplify certain tasks, better prepare consultations, and leave more time for what remains at the heart of the profession: the relationship between the doctor and their patient.
(1) URPS Médecins Île‑de‑France. Teleconsultation: recommendations for a quality practice.
(2) Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS). Recommendations – Places and environmental conditions for conducting a teleconsultation or telecare. 2024.
