For the project, I ended up looking over the different features and benefits of three different tablet devices: the BlackBerry Playbook, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Apple's iPad. All three provide very different features, such as the 7 inch screen on the Playbook and Tab, 10 inch screen on the iPad, multi-tasking across all devices and all equipped with their very own operating system. Of the three, I discovered that the Tab was not yet optimized for professional level use, and for the sake of the project, it was not looked into for medical use. BlackBerry's Playbook holds the heavy advantage that many hospitals are already Blackberry ready and equipped with servers ready to handle the device. Yet, the device is at a disadvantage because it has a few more months until its intended release date. Due to the early emergence for tablet computers, the iPad currently dominates the medical tablet device market, using software such as MacPractice.
MacPractice give medical personal the ability to add patients, manage their records, history, vitals and prescriptions right on the iOS device. Another helpful tool allows doctors and nurses to schedule different appointments and enter in new ones. As this is the most commonly used medical software for the tablet market, the BlackBerry Playbook will hold its own market for medical based Apps when it is released.
Another factor in this technological take over are the opinions of the doctors and patients alike. For this project, I asked the simple question: "How do you feel about a tablet computer replacing physical paper charts in the medical field?" In my hometown, doctors are given the option to adopt the technology on their own if they choose to. Some have adopted this technology and are using it with their patients daily.
Of the 15 patients surveyed, 67% (10 out of 15) liked the idea of the technology. Some patients commented with the following... "I felt disconnected from the doctor. He seemed distracted with his computer" - 55 F or "I was intrigued by it, I wanted to learn more. I was impressed with it" - 28 M
Of the 5 medical personal, I received an 80% (4 out of 5) positive response.
"Its really the best thing a hospital can do. Things are so efficient and quick, and time is so critical in the medical field" - 49 Nurse
"Its too much to learn. Im not interested, I like how things are" - 57 Doctor
And so the debate continues. With new technology heading our way, there may be a definitive answer within a few years.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Debate
The debate to go digital in the medical field has be a battle since the early computers. With the recent release of the tablet computers, particularly iPad, doctors and other medical personal have begun to seriously consider a tablet device. According to amednews, over 50% of doctors surveyed are seriously considering replacing their current system - whether its paper and pen or another electronic device - with an iPad. So what are the pro's and con's to technology replacing medical documents?
The two most significant advantages of going electronic are simple, paper and efficiency. Cutting back drastically on paper would eventually lower the spending of the hospital/facility, which would in turn, lower patient bills. Not only is the hassle of paper gone, but it is more efficient. When a doctor needs critical information on a patient, they can get it within a few clicks, which is much more reliable than looking for a physical chart. The ability to update the charts instantly also provides a much safer environment, especially in a field where time is critical.
For this, I wanted to get some personal feedback. I sent an email to 15 recent patients and 5 medical personal in a hospital in my hometown, and asked the simple question: "How do you feel about a tablet computer replacing physical paper charts in the medical field?" In my hometown, doctors are given the option to adopt the technology on their own if they choose to. Some have adopted this technology and are using it with their patients daily.
Of the 15 patients surveyed, 67% (10 out of 15) liked the idea of the technology. Some patients commented with the following...
"I felt disconnected from the doctor. He seemed distracted with his computer" - 55 F
"I was intrigued by it, I wanted to learn more. I was impressed with it" - 28 M
"The idea makes me uncomfortable, I don't understand whats wrong with a pen and paper" - 80 M
Of the 5 medical personal, I received an 80% (4 out of 5) positive response.
"Its really the best thing a hospital can do. Things are so efficient and quick, and time is so critical in the medical field" - 49 Nurse
"Its too much to learn. Im not interested, I like how things are" - 57 Doctor
And so the debate continues. With new technology heading our way, there may be a definitive answer within a few years.
Sources:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/02/22/bica0222.htm
The two most significant advantages of going electronic are simple, paper and efficiency. Cutting back drastically on paper would eventually lower the spending of the hospital/facility, which would in turn, lower patient bills. Not only is the hassle of paper gone, but it is more efficient. When a doctor needs critical information on a patient, they can get it within a few clicks, which is much more reliable than looking for a physical chart. The ability to update the charts instantly also provides a much safer environment, especially in a field where time is critical.
For this, I wanted to get some personal feedback. I sent an email to 15 recent patients and 5 medical personal in a hospital in my hometown, and asked the simple question: "How do you feel about a tablet computer replacing physical paper charts in the medical field?" In my hometown, doctors are given the option to adopt the technology on their own if they choose to. Some have adopted this technology and are using it with their patients daily.
Of the 15 patients surveyed, 67% (10 out of 15) liked the idea of the technology. Some patients commented with the following...
"I felt disconnected from the doctor. He seemed distracted with his computer" - 55 F
"I was intrigued by it, I wanted to learn more. I was impressed with it" - 28 M
"The idea makes me uncomfortable, I don't understand whats wrong with a pen and paper" - 80 M
Of the 5 medical personal, I received an 80% (4 out of 5) positive response.
"Its really the best thing a hospital can do. Things are so efficient and quick, and time is so critical in the medical field" - 49 Nurse
"Its too much to learn. Im not interested, I like how things are" - 57 Doctor
And so the debate continues. With new technology heading our way, there may be a definitive answer within a few years.
Sources:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/02/22/bica0222.htm
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Mac Practice other Software
As put it by MacPractice: "MacPractice is dedicated to developing, implementing, and supporting premier practice management and clinical software solutions for doctors who prefer to use Macs". Not only has MacPractice given medical personnel the ability to use their Macs, but also any iOS device.
MacPractice provides health care professionals full software to manage their patients's records and schedules. Features include scheduling, patient history, ability to add a new patient, and prescriptions, MacPractice gives doctors the freedom to keep things organized without being ridiculed about their handwriting. Here are some screenshots of MacPractice in action:
As for other software, I could not find a particular software that is as mainstream as MacPractice. When looking at the BlackBerry Playbook, there have yet been apps optimized for the device, but one company describes an App from eUnity, where doctors are able to view medical images and attach them to patient records.
Sources:
MacPractice provides health care professionals full software to manage their patients's records and schedules. Features include scheduling, patient history, ability to add a new patient, and prescriptions, MacPractice gives doctors the freedom to keep things organized without being ridiculed about their handwriting. Here are some screenshots of MacPractice in action:
enter patient information
enter vitals and view history
scheduling
more scheduling
prescribing medications
As for other software, I could not find a particular software that is as mainstream as MacPractice. When looking at the BlackBerry Playbook, there have yet been apps optimized for the device, but one company describes an App from eUnity, where doctors are able to view medical images and attach them to patient records.
Sources:
http://www.macpractice.com/mp/
http://www.imedicalapps.com/2010/02/the-apple-ipad-and-electronic-medical-records-could-it-replace-the-physicians-clipboard/
http://mobihealthnews.com/9274/medical-imaging-featured-in-first-demo-of-blackberry-playbook-tablet/
http://mobihealthnews.com/9274/medical-imaging-featured-in-first-demo-of-blackberry-playbook-tablet/
Friday, November 19, 2010
Product Overview: Apple iPad
An early target for jokes about feminine hygiene products, the iPad started a media frenzy from the moment (and even before) it was announced. Apple's iPad that was released in April 2010, was the first tablet device to go mainstream. Not only did it go mainstream, but it sold over 1 million devices within the first 28 days. There are a few differences between the iPad and other tablets discussed, but the main and the most noticeable difference is the screen size. The iPad provides a 9.7 inch screen, which makes reading, editing and viewing things much nicer. The iPad is running Apple's iOS 4.2 operating system, equipt with multi-tasking and wireless printing.
Why is the iPad an ideal device for the medical field?
The iPad provides many advantages. The first of course being the larger screen. The larger screen is helpful to a doctor or medical personal, who may have to read fine print, or look at an image. Another advantage is in the software. The iPad and iPhone are known for their very professional level style of medical Apps, the most popular being MacPractice, which will be discussed in later entries.
See the iPad introduction video here.
Sources:
apple.com/ipad
http://gizmodo.com/5458292/apple-ipad-everything-you-need-to-know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-YAQ1wfNqc&feature=channel
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Product Overview: Samsung Galaxy Tab
The Samsung Galaxy Tab is a 7" tablet device that was released in early October of 2010. Since it's release, it has reached over 1 million units sold. The Galaxy Tab is running Google's Android OS 2.2, and will be expecting it's software update to Android 2.3 in the future. A direct competitor to the iPad because the lack of tablet devices available on the market, the Tab supports flash and has a built in camera, something the iPad is not capable of at this time. But is this enough for a tablet to be successful? Many sources don't think so.
Described as a "A pocketable train wreck" by Gizmodo, the Galaxy Tab does not support the professional work that other tablets do. The Android 2.2 software harms the device more than helps it, because according to Network World, its "More of a large smartphone than a tablet". Now, as this is a current disadvantage to the Tab, it doesn't mean it will be for long. The Android 2.3 software will provide the Tab with a full tablet-optimized OS. After that, then the use in a professional field may be more plausible. Until then, the Tab remains a great device for consumers, it's just not ready for its professional debut.
See the official commercial here.
Sources:
http://gizmodo.com/5686161/samsung-galaxy-tab-review-a-pocketable-train-wreck
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/120310smasunggalaxy.html?hpg1=bn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHPJdqgsJ9g
http://www.samsunghub.com/2010/11/08/samsung-seoul-hospital-adopts-galaxy-tab/
http://www.siliconvalley.com/ci_16640586?nclick_check=1
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Device Overview: BlackBerry PlayBook
RIM, the manufacturer of the devices more commonly known as BlackBerry, announced its first generation of professional grade tablets, known as the BlackBerry PlayBook. A 7" tablet, the PlayBook utilizes BlackBerry's very own tablet OS, with its own App's and features. The PlayBook comes equipped with a 1 GHz Processor, and 1 GB of RAM, giving the user speedy browsing abilities. The PlayBook also supports multi-tasking and Adobe Flash.
Sure, it sounds cool, but why is the 2011 release of the PlayBook so highly anticipated by the medical community? The answer is simple: the majority of the medical field already uses BlackBerry for their medical faculty. The PlayBook is enterprise ready will not require any new software or data changes to their previously existing contracts. Although the PlayBook is Wi-Fi only, BlackBerry hopes to release a 3G/4G version in the future. As for Apps, there is not much of an advantage. The current applications that are available for the Blackberry OS, are also available on iOS and Android.
View a video preview of the BlackBerry PlayBook here.
Sources:
http://us.blackberry.com/playbook-tablet/
http://www.knowabouthealth.com/can-blackberry-playbook-supersede-ipad-in-healthcare-industry/6795/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaez_4m9mQ&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaez_4m9mQ&feature=player_embedded
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Update: Adding Blackberry PlayBook to list of devices that will be Evaluated
Thank you for the info, Professor Weisband!
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