Last week’s announcement and introduction of the iPad certainly created a buzz. For those of us in this industry, the question becomes: “Is there a place for the iPad in healthcare?” An interesting blog is raising this very question.
I think the bigger dilemma is the lack of eHealth plans in hospitals that will be able to support and create applications using the Web. It is clear that other industries will develop applications for the iPad just like they did with the iPhone. Both Apple devices are platforms to allow consumers to remain connected wherever they are and to conduct research, chats, business or whatever else they want to do without having to be at any particular location. But to use iPad programs, healthcare organizations will need to allow applications to be developed, which will mean data sharing, security measures and more.
Just think, how many people do you know who no longer have phone land lines because they have a mobile device? Maybe you are one of those people. Think of all the daily functions that are performed on mobile devices daily. Now, think of all the things you can do to interact with your hospital on a mobile device. Not many came to mind, right?
Then, think of all the interactions you can do with your laptop to interact with your hospital. Still can’t think of many, can you?
There is good news. With the HITECH Act and Meaningful Use requirements now in place, healthcare will be forced to make this huge leap into the world of technology and to continue developing ways to “Engage Patients and Families” with their own healthcare.
The most successful healthcare organizations, however, will be the ones that look beyond the Meaningful Use checklist. Those organizations will understand that the components of the HITECH Act are only adding to an already wired world. Expanding broadband capabilities, implementing EHRs, PHRs, HIEs, and NHINs are just a few specific “e” projects hospitals are working on now. Engaging patients in their own healthcare will only take advantage of what consumers are already accustomed to… using a browser.
Is the iPad just a reminder of what we can look forward to in healthcare during this decade? Or is it a reminder of how much farther hospitals have to go, to meet the demands of this decade’s Internet savvy consumer?
To view the blog post “Apple iPad in Healthcare: Pros and Cons, visit http://scienceroll.com/2010/01/31/apple-ipad-in-healthcare-pros-and-cons/.
