Why Licensing the Morisky Scale Directly for Your EHR May Be Simpler Than Using a Third-Party Tool

In the quest to enhance patient care and outcomes, many healthcare providers seek validated tools for assessing key health behaviors, like medication adherence. Scales such as the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) provide valuable insights but often come with licensing requirements that need to be carefully managed. When considering how to integrate tools like the MMAS into clinical workflows, providers have two main options: licensing directly for use within their internal electronic health record (EHR) or going through a third-party software vendor that offers the scale as part of a broader package.

In many cases, licensing directly for internal use can offer a simpler, more cost-effective, and secure approach than relying on external software solutions. Here’s why a direct approach could be beneficial for healthcare providers looking to embed the Morisky Scale or other validated questionnaires into their EHR systems.

1. Reduced Complexity in Licensing Terms

Obtaining a license directly from the scale’s copyright holder often means fewer layers of legal and technical considerations. Direct licensing agreements tend to be straightforward and usually allow for in-house usage, without the added complexities often bundled in third-party software contracts. With a software tool, healthcare providers may face additional legal agreements, as well as technical conditions that can complicate compliance and administrative processes.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

When healthcare providers use third-party software to access validated scales, they’re often paying for more than just the scale itself. Software vendors typically add a markup for their platform and maintenance services, which can drive up costs. By licensing the questionnaire directly and integrating it within their existing EHR system, providers can potentially avoid these extra expenses, leading to a more affordable solution, especially for large healthcare organizations that would need multiple user licenses.

3. Customizable Integration for Clinician Workflows

Healthcare providers who license validated questionnaires directly and integrate them in-house have greater flexibility to design and implement workflows that make sense for their clinicians. An internal IT team can customize the placement and functionality of the scale within the EHR, streamlining use and potentially improving adherence to the tool. In contrast, with a third-party tool, customization may be limited, and any requested modifications might come with additional costs or technical constraints.

4. Enhanced Data Privacy and Security

Direct integration within an internal EHR means that patient data stays securely within the healthcare provider’s own network, helping to simplify compliance with data privacy regulations such as HIPAA in the U.S. When patient data flows through or is stored in external systems, as is often the case with third-party software, there can be added security risks, and the provider may have to conduct extra due diligence to ensure compliance. Keeping data in-house offers a higher level of control over data privacy and security measures.

5. Consistent and Familiar User Experience

Embedding the Morisky Scale directly within the EHR can help provide a seamless experience for end-users, reducing disruption to clinician workflows. When providers use third-party tools, they may need to navigate between different software interfaces, which can slow down processes and increase the likelihood of user errors. A familiar, consistent experience within the EHR can improve the efficiency and ease of use, helping clinicians focus on patient care rather than software navigation.

6. Independence from Vendor Support and Maintenance

Third-party tools usually require regular maintenance, updates, and vendor support, which can introduce delays or disruptions to critical workflows. In-house integration of a licensed questionnaire allows a healthcare provider’s IT team to manage updates and adjustments according to their own schedule and standards. This independence can be especially advantageous for organizations with specific quality assurance and operational requirements that may not align well with third-party vendors’ timelines.

7. Streamlined Compliance and Quality Assurance

Direct integration also provides healthcare providers with a consistent method for quality assurance and compliance monitoring. Providers can establish their own standardized procedures to ensure accurate questionnaire administration and monitor the tool’s efficacy over time. With third-party software, there can be gaps in quality assurance practices, and extra coordination is often required to ensure compliance across different platforms.

If you’re considering adding a validated questionnaire like the Morisky Scale to your clinical toolkit, explore the option of a direct license. It could save you time, money, and provide a better experience for both patients and providers.