February 1, 2010
Apple iPad EMR
Written by: JohnSign up to receive all the latest EMR and EHR Updates.
The hype over the new Apple iPad has been really interesting to watch. You can’t even buy one and everyone under the sun is speculating on how well the Apple iPad will do. Everything from it changing the netbook space to Grandma’s first computer being an iPad to the iPad as a gaming machine.
I’m certain that the iPad is going to be a huge gaming machine. The question I have is will the iPad be a game changer in the EMR world.
For those of you not living in the tech bubble that I live in, the iPad is most simply described as an iPhone with a much larger screen. Now I’m sure the purist out there might point out some other differences, but that’s kind of beside the point. The touch input method is the same as the iPhone and it also uses the cell towers to connect to the internet. It also runs the iPhone OS including all of the apps that have been created for the iPhone.
Back to the original question, will the iPad be a game changer for EMR. My prediction is that we really won’t see many iPad’s in healthcare much at all. Sure, there will be one here or there, but it won’t be widespread and we won’t see an “iPad EMR” that was designed to leverage the interface and technology of the iPad.
So, why would I even bring it up? Well, I don’t see the iPad EMR coming to fruition I do see the input technology that’s in the iPad and that will come out of the iPad having an effect on future input interfaces. Apple’s making a huge bet on touch interfaces with the iPad. the adpoption of touch interfaces and the technology that comes out of it is likely to have a huge influence on future EMR interfaces.
One of the biggest complaints doctors have about the various EMR systems is the challenge of inputting the data. Don’t be surprised if the future EMR input methods are heavily influenced by the introduction of the iPad and the technologies that develop around it.
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4 responses to "Apple iPad EMR"
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I would agree with you, John. Although a nice thought, apple did what it always did, and play up to the mass of Apple fanatics and most likely they will be main audience here.
I think however, its technology will drive others to move in this direction and possibly be the link to making tablet computing as logical and effective as we all believe it should be.
My main gripe with the Ipad is due to the drive space limitations and its lack of built in phone / 3G capabilities. It would be one more item I would have to lug around without the opportunity to eliminate one. I also think it is apparent that the reason they didn’t build in 3g wireless is due to the poor performance of ATT and they were afraid to commit to them with this project.
As far as integration into EMR, I am guessing its connect-ability would be limited to web based systems as I would think most proprietary systems (other than Apple based) wouldn’t take on the additional programming costs to make them work with other OS based systems due to the limited possibility of return.
Bill,
My understanding was that they did have 3G. You just had to pay extra to have the 3G model. The base model doesn’t have it. Plus, they have a monthly pricing plan as opposed to a contract one like the iPhone (and most cell phones).
I’m sure the space limitations are based on the fact that they want most of the data stored in “the cloud.”
I agree that EMR vendors that aren’t web based aren’t likely to develop just for the iPad. However, those that already have an iPhone application kind of already have.
I was under the understanding the 3G was with the purchase of an additional card not built in like the netbook.
I think it’s integrated. The iPad doesn’t really have room for additional cards. One small one, but not even a USB one. Here’s a nice article on the cost of the 3G: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS200766886820100128