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.
I liked this project. It could have been done over time, and more research about digital charting in general, rather than only showing tablets that have the potential to do so. The interviews were based one question, and it was not clear that the patients and medical personnel had experience with tablet computers or where just asked how they would feel about "a tablet computer" replacing paper charts.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it would have been easier to link to the articles if they were "linkable" rather than having to cut and past it. I did like looking at the MacPractice website. I couldn't find a MacPractice in Tucson. Is there one?