Medical iPad adoption spurred in part by US government
updated 04:30 pm EDT, Wed March 30, 2011
Medicare, Medicaid payments cover tablet tech
Reimbursements from the US government may be playing a significant role in fostering iPad adoption by doctors, CNBC suggests. The government is operating a program called Meaningful Use, which allows doctors and hospitals to claim Medicare and Medicaid expenses when buying specific technology. The aim of the initiative is to increase migration to electronic records, theoretically reducing healthcare costs while improving the quality of service.
CNBC reports that as a consequence, developers of medical software are currently rushing to develop apps for the iPad. The device is not the only tablet getting attention; apps should also be coming to Android tablets and the RIM PlayBook. At the same time, however, the iPad is expected to the focus of tablet medical app development in the near future.
Beyond records, another major use of the iPad is said to be explaining illnesses to patients. Because of its portability and media emphasis, the tablet can be easily brought into a patient's room and used to graphically illustrate a condition. Older medical computers have been described as cumbersome.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005
Wow, this is a stretch.
While the Meaningful Use program may be raising interest in electronic medical records, almost none of these products are particularly usable on a tablet device--way too much typing involved. I suppose anything that stimulates interest in IT in general will result in some specific interest in tablet computers, but to connect MU to iPads is a real stretch. Slow news day, I guess!