Healthcare Tablet Computing

The choice to cover tablet computing was very easy for me. I have always had a very interesting relationship with the tablet computing form factor since college (~2000). Since that time the tablet form factor has changed significantly.

The first tablet I ever experienced was an HP convertible (convertertible because it could be setup like a traditional laptop and then folded / contorted to appear like a screen only tablet as well) very similar to the one pictured here. This machine was given to students studying mechanical engineering at MIT so that they were able to better design elements of their engines for an applied project. At that time I was able to use tablets that friends obtained through the project, but often the issues I encountered then back in 2000 continue today. Those issues are: speed, performance, interface, and reliability. I wanted the table to be more than it was able to be back then. I tried the pen interface and handwriting recognition, but often got frustrated with its ability to discern what I wrote effectively. Also the necessity of carrying and using both a pen and a keyboard got frustrating for me as well. So soon after using the full laptop tablets I resorted to the PDA devices that were much more common at the time.

Moving forward 5 - 6 years, my experience with computers expanded as did the tablet computing options. At this time the idea of UMPC, or the Ultra Mobile PC, became very prevalent. I researched this topic for a paper written while at Johns Hopkins University that I will post excerpts from later in PDF format to the blog that will show how the early UMPC's were nothing more than smaller tablet PCs. The UMPC was to be the next big thing in computing, but unfortunately it never took off. It never gained the foothold in the industry needed to garner support and widespread distribution. One website, UMPC Portal, still operates and is able to offer those interested in UMPCs information and places where they can be purchased and upgraded.

Currently tablet computing is really big. It seems to get larger daily and with the recent introduction of the iPad from Apple it will only get larger. A quick Google search revealed 7.2 Million entries for tablet computing when searched and the iPad was the first device mentioned.

So here is where the real question gets asked. Why Healthcare Tablet Computing? Well the answer to that is not that simple. The Healthcare industry as a whole is in a great transition currently. When looking at what has just happened in Washington concerning Healthcare reform, much more integration of technology is required for the future. Tablets and other devices will play a large role in this transition and I felt that this topic should be covered in much more detail than it is currently.

This blog will examine the current trends in healthcare computing related to tablets, and what the future could and should be.