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title: Practice Management and EHR: Key Differences Between Them
---

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# Practice Management and EHR: Key Differences Between Them 

Last Reviewed: May 13, 2026 10 min read [5 comments](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-practice-management/difference-medical-practice-management-ehr-software/#comments) 

[ ![Kashish Arora](https://www.selecthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Kashish-Headshot-1-96x96.jpg) ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kashish-arora/) [Written by Kashish Arora](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kashish-arora/) 

Technical Content Writer 

[ ![Ryan McElroy](https://www.selecthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Ryan-McElroy-Headshot-96x96.jpg) ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) [Edited by Ryan McElroy](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) 

Content Editor 

[ ![Akhil Malhotra](https://www.selecthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Akhil-Malhotra-96x96.jpg) ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/akhil-malhotra/) [Contributions by Akhil Malhotra](https://www.selecthub.com/author/akhil-malhotra/) 

Expert Contributor 

Table of Contents

Explore the Medical Practice Management Hub

What's your top priority today?

* [Learn](#)  
  * [What Is Medical Practice Management?](https://www.selecthub.com/category/medical-practice-management/)

  * Practice Management vs. EHR
    * [What Is Practice Management Software?](#What%5FIs%5FPractice%5FManagement%5FSoftware)
      * [Key Features](#Key%5FFeatures)
    * [Practice Management Software vs. EHR](#Practice%5FManagement%5FSoftware%5Fvs%5FEHR)
      * [Key Differences](#Key%5FDifferences)
      * [Similarities](#Similarities)
      * [EHR vs. EMR](#EHR%5Fvs%5FEMR)
    * [Why Choose Practice Management Software?](#Why%5FChoose%5FPractice%5FManagement%5FSoftware)
      * [Save Time](#Save%5FTime)
      * [Reduce No-Shows](#Reduce%5FNo-Shows)
      * [Improve Communication](#Improve%5FCommunication)
      * [Minimize Costs](#Minimize%5FCosts)
    * [Software Selection Strategy](#Software%5FSelection%5FStrategy)
      * [Determine Your Requirements](#Determine%5FYour%5FRequirements)
      * [Shortlist Software Vendors](#Shortlist%5FSoftware%5FVendors)
    * [FAQs](#FAQs)
    * [Next Steps](#Next%5FSteps)
* [Plan](#)  
  * [Practice Management Software Requirements](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-practice-management/medical-practice-management-software-features-requirements/)
* [Compare](#)  
  * [Best Free Patient Management Software](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-practice-management/free-practice-management-software/)
  * [Best Patient Management Software](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-practice-management/patient-management-software-features/)
  * [Best Medical Clinic Management Software](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-practice-management/essential-features-medical-clinic-software/)

[Medical practice management software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/medical-practice-management-software/) helps clinicians stay on top of their daily operations while giving the most attention to what’s really important: patient care. We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of practice management software and how it works together with other solutions, like Electronic Health Records ([EHR](https://www.selecthub.com/c/ehr-software/)).

[Compare Top Practice Management Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-practice-management-software-site-vers/)

![Medical Practice Management vs EHR Comparative Guide]()

## What Is Practice Management Software?

[Medical practice management system](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-software/top-7-practice-management-software-integrations/) handles the day-to-day operations of a medical practice. Think about it as the “oil” in a well-oiled machine, keeping everything running smoothly.

It bridges the gap between clinical duties, including diagnosis documentation and generating procedure codes, and administrative work, such as appointment scheduling, insurance management and [medical billing](https://www.selecthub.com/category/medical-billing/) tasks, like processing claims.

While it definitely helps clinicians get the job done, practice management systems don’t deal with the medical side as directly — that’s where tools like EHR come in. More on that in a bit.

### Key Features

Here are some of the main features of practice management software and how they can help your practice.

![Medical Practice Management Key Features]()

* **Dashboard and Reporting:** Gain insights into key aspects of the practice, ranging from patient visits and treatment notes to accounts receivable, expenses, inventory and employee performance.
* **Billing and Claims Management:** Generate individual patient quotes and bills, and streamline payment collection.
* **Personalized Calendar:** Schedule appointments remotely. View notes like patient details and treatment progress to ensure appropriate care, and check equipment and bed status to confirm availability.
* **Clinical Management:** Store and access key medical documents, including health records, treatment notes, prescriptions and lab test results.  
Some additional tools that come with this functionality include:

  * Assessment notes
  * E-prescription
  * Dose calculator
  * In-clinic patient tracking
  * Medication history
  * Voice transcription

[Compare Top Practice Management Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-practice-management-software-site-vers/)

## Practice Management Software vs. EHR

The keyword in practice management software is “practice” — it’s all about the day-to-day operations of your business, what it takes to keep things running. It helps staff schedule appointments, keep track of billing and manage the overall flow of the office.

EHR, on the other hand, helps doctors organize patient health information, which can get pretty hairy otherwise, especially if you’re dealing with complex cases or a high volume of clients. It stores all of your patients’ medical information, diagnoses, medications and treatment plans.

It’s worth noting that the two softwares are generally made to [integrate](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-software/top-7-practice-management-software-integrations/). Since they cater to what are essentially both sides of a medical practice, bringing both in provides more complete support.

### Key Differences

Let’s take a look at what distinguishes the two:

| **Medical Practice Management**                           | **EHR**                                                   |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Doesn’t require information sharing                       | Provides data-sharing capabilities                        |
| Office managers and receptionists are primary users.      | Doctors, nurses and care staff members are primary users. |
| Doesn’t provide government incentives for implementation. | Provides incentives for implementation.                   |

#### Automation

Both EHR and practice management software feature automation. Practice management software automates tasks such as organizing appointments and scheduling specific tasks.

It also lets you store and reuse patient data after the first visit, including names, demographics, insurance coverage, contact information, etc.

The automation functionality in EHR is more clinically focused, helping physicians identify and forecast health patterns to determine things like allergies, diagnoses or treatment plans.

#### Incentivization

Unlike practice management software, the [Federal Department of Health and Human Services](https://www.hhs.gov) prompts and incentivizes the use of EHRs with an aim to increase the overall quality of healthcare. Eligible medical providers can earn tens of thousands of dollars simply for implementing an electronic health records system in their practice.

These [EHR incentives](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-software/why-participate-in-the-ehr-incentive-program/) are really just icing on the cake for health care facilities, who generally notice an increase in their bottom line when they start using EHR.

#### Data Sharing

Most practice management data is clinic- and organization-specific and doesn’t require information sharing with third parties.

On the other hand, EHR helps doctors, staff, patients and other health care agencies securely exchange data. This collaboration improves decision-making and treatment outcomes.

#### Primary Users

The people who use practice management software are mostly office managers and front desk staff. EHR is mostly handled by medical staff, like doctors, dentists and nurses. Both types of software work to increase productivity in the practice, essentially from different sides.

Clinicians who only need admin tools can use practice management software to streamline their workflows without the broader set of electronic modules (and potentially higher costs) of a full EHR system.

[Compare Top Practice Management Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-practice-management-software-site-vers/)

### Similarities

Despite their different functions in a medical office, practice management and EHR solutions have some overlap.

![Medical Practice Management and EHR Key Similarities]()

#### Data Centralization

Both systems serve as centralized repositories for storing all your patient information, covering demographics, appointment details, staff assignments, consultation notes and diagnostic test results.

This consolidated approach makes it easy to get the data you need as soon as you need it. It also significantly reduces potential for both medical and admin errors, including invoicing mistakes, appointment scheduling conflicts, duplicate tests, adverse [drug interactions](https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/what-drug-interaction) or inappropriate treatment decisions.

#### Workflow Optimization

Both EHR and practice management solutions can help you streamline appointment scheduling, enabling staff to access real-time provider availability, book slots and management patient schedules.

Medical billing features expedite revenue cycle management, reduce billing errors and optimize cash flow, enhancing profitability and billing accuracy.

#### Customization and Configuration

Whether you buy a practice management solution or an EHR (or both, since the two work well together), you can customize dashboards and other functionalities that serve your office’s unique needs.

Each type of software comes with configurable settings and templates to meet specialty-specific requirements.

### EHR vs. EMR

EHR may sound a lot like [EMR](https://www.selecthub.com/c/emr-software/), but they’re not quite the same.

While both handle patient health information, EHRs provide more comprehensive records, pulling from multiple providers or facilities. An EMR, or Electronic Medical Record, is maintained by one provider and contains information from a single practice or facility, like a patient’s chart note from a doctor’s appointment.

EMRs are useful — but, as EMR/EHR expert Dr. Akhil Malhotra explains, they’re limited, and can’t provide “a one-size-fits-all solution for all doctors.” He also notes that EMRs are challenging for practices that have “more than one speciality, and hence cannot choose a single speciality-focused EMR.”

Basically, an EMR is helpful for a doctor within their specialty and practice, but may not offer a complete picture of complex cases, or if their patient sees other specialists.

EHRs come with the advantage of not only containing patient health information, but also tracking and consolidating that across their entire medical history and healthcare journey.

[Compare Top Practice Management Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-practice-management-software-site-vers/)

## Why Choose Practice Management Software?

Whether you’re looking to increase your admin team’s productivity or streamline your daily activities, a practice management solution can be your silver bullet. Here are some of the benefits you stand to reap.

![Why Choose Practice Management software]()

### Save Time

Using practice management software can significantly reduce your staff’s daily workload by making it easier to handle admin tasks and retrieve important data.

Documentation modules also streamline the clinical side, helping you prepare treatment notes, create forms, fill out necessary documents and organize patient medical records.

### Reduce No-Shows

Appointment scheduling through the software sets automated reminders for upcoming patient visits and appointments, keeping everyone in the loop.

You can also give patients access to a dedicated patient portal, which not only gives them more control over their own care, but also makes them aware of upcoming appointments and allows them to make changes.

### Improve Communication

Practice management solutions streamline both internal and external communications. You can contact patients and other third parties from the comfort of your desk, cutting out the middleman of reception. Office staff and clinicians can easily exchange medical information through secure communication channels.

### Minimize Costs

In addition to streamlining day-to-day operations, helping you get more bang for your buck, practice management software also offers insight into key processes and workflows, which helps you identify and eliminate inefficiencies.

Use the software to analyze things like patient flow, inventory and expenditures usage to ensure you’re allocating resources efficiently and cutting unnecessary costs.

## Software Selection Strategy

There are a lot of software products on the market, so planning ahead and comparing your options helps ensure you end up with the right pick. We suggest using a two-pronged approach.

### Determine Your Requirements

* Meet with stakeholders and department heads to pinpoint practice needs and areas of improvement.
* Gather feedback from staff who would be working directly with the software to see what would support them best.
* Create a list of essential features that you can’t do without.
* Conduct research and get recommendations from colleagues to gain more comprehensive insight into your options.

### Shortlist Software Vendors

* Look into how vendors and their products cater to industry standards and typical medical practice operations.
* Discuss your needs in-depth with potential vendors, including requirements specific to your practice, like customization options.
* Get a clear picture of service level agreements and cost transparency.

In today’s market, medical software platforms are much more diversified and come chock full of specialized components to help practices do everything from patient consultation to billing. So, while the odds are in your favor, taking these steps ensures the software you pick is the most ideal your practice can get.

[Compare Top Practice Management Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-practice-management-software-site-vers/)

## FAQs

[What are the cons of using a practice management system?](#group%5F823) 

Some potential downsides of practice management software include:

* **Cost:** These systems can be expensive due to subscription, licensing, implementation, training and maintenance fees.
* **Learning Curve:** Staff need time and resources to learn how to operate new software and adjust to changes in their workflow.
* **Security Issues:** Storing data electronically poses security risks. The system needs strong security measures to protect sensitive information.
* **Long-Term Contracts:** Some vendors require long-term contracts, locking you in for extended periods.

[What are the different types of practice management solutions?](#group%5F355) 

There are two types of systems:

* **On-Premise:** Data is stored on physical servers at your practice. You have full control but need to manage the servers yourself (or hire someone). This option might be better for smaller practices.
* **Cloud-Based:** Data is stored on a remote server that requires internet access to use. This is ideal for larger practices with multiple locations since it’s more flexible and maintenance is handled by the vendor.

[What are practice management software benefits for patients?](#group%5F592) 

Some key benefits for patients include:

* **Improved Appointment Scheduling:** Patients can book online appointments using the patient portal and set automated reminders for upcoming visits.
* **Enhanced Communication:** Patients can interact directly with providers through secure messages, and review lab test reports, prescriptions, treatment summaries and more.
* **More Control Over Care:** Patient portals provide direct access to medical records, as well as tools to explore and pursue different care options, like other specialists within the practice.

[What’s the difference between medical practice management and telemedicine solutions?](#group%5F293) 

Medical practice management software focuses on the administrative side of a doctor’s office. It helps manage appointments, scheduling, billing, patient records (often integrated with EHR) and staff communication.

Telemedicine solutions, on the other hand, deal with virtual doctor visits. They provide the technology platform for conducting secure video consultations with patients remotely, allowing for diagnosis, treatment plans and even follow-ups without needing a physical visit.

[Compare Top Practice Management Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-practice-management-software-site-vers/)

## Next Steps

Practice management software is a great addition to any medical office, especially when you bring in other tools, like EHR, to build on its capabilities. If you’re ready for the next step, try our free, intuitive [comparison report](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-practice-management-software-site-vers/) to check out how top products stack up.

So, does your practice use practice management software, EHR or EMR (so many acronyms!)? If not, what are you looking for in a practice management solution? Let us know in the comments below!

[ Previous What Is Medical Practice Management? ](https://www.selecthub.com/category/medical-practice-management/) 

[ Next Practice Management Software Requirements ](https://www.selecthub.com/medical-practice-management/medical-practice-management-software-features-requirements/) 

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Originally published in April 2019 and last updated in May 2026\. Contributions from Kashish Arora, Ryan McElroy, and Akhil Malhotra. 

## About the Contributors

The following SelectHub team members and subject matter experts helped research, create, and review this content. 

[ ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kashish-arora/) 

Written by  
[Kashish Arora](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kashish-arora/) 

Technical Content Writer

Kashish Arora was a Technical Content Writer at SelectHub who specialized in developing content for accounting, EHR, EMR, practice management, patient scheduling and EPM. She holds a master's degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication. When not writing, she eats fictional quotes, listens to Latin jazz and reweaves the missing parts of her spiritual tapestry.

[See Full Bio](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kashish-arora/)

[ ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) 

Edited by  
[Ryan McElroy](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) 

Content Editor

Ryan McElroy is a Content Editor and Senior Market Analyst at SelectHub who writes and edits content on various software types, along with their broader concepts and the industries they serve, including medical, construction, CMMS, supply chain management and legal. He studied at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and earned his BA in Journalism in 2016\. During his free time, you’ll find Ryan playing video/card/board games, sipping coffee and reading speculative fiction, or listening to music his loved ones often describe as “headache-inducing.”

[See Full Bio](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/)

[ ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/akhil-malhotra/) 

Contributions by  
[Akhil Malhotra](https://www.selecthub.com/author/akhil-malhotra/) 

Expert Contributor

Dr. Akhil Malhotra is a healthcare professional with over a decade of experience in the private and public healthcare sector. A Masters in Public Health, he specializes in Healthcare Informatics, EHR product development, and Clinical Decision Support Systems.

[See Full Bio](https://www.selecthub.com/author/akhil-malhotra/)

SelectHubBig Medical Office Software Features List

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#### **Genevieve Ozoa Warshaw**  \- December 21, 2021  
Hi Evan,  
I find this helpful as a resource for schoolwork. Thank you.  
Genevieve

**[Reply](#comment-105681)**
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#### **Kimberly Leyman**  \- March 19, 2021  
I like your article. My students found it helpful too!

**[Reply](#comment-65228)**  
[![Avatar photo](https://www.selecthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-Hunter-Headshot-48x48.jpg)](https://www.selecthub.com/author/hunter-lowe/)  
#### **Hunter Lowe**  \- March 25, 2021  
Thank you for your comment Kimberly! Glad to be of help!

**[Reply](#comment-65879)**
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#### **Sarah**  \- May 8, 2019  
Currently, we’re looking for an EHR system, doing research and stuff, so will let you know about the experience once we get an EHR system.

**[Reply](#comment-19464)**  
[![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5de4c66dce4059b2c31266ecfb8036c3061f44ca29dc1eb4f02f8acee718963b?s=48&d=mm&r=g)](https://www.selecthub.com/author/evan-heier/)  
#### **Evan Heier**  \- May 8, 2019  
Hi Sarah,  
Thanks for the response and good luck with your search. I’m excited to hear how your experience goes.

**[Reply](#comment-19483)**

Compare 

**Tier 1:**  
Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment.  
Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. 

**Tier 2:**  
Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs.  
Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. 

**Tier 3:**  
Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost.  
Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. 

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```json
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