Content area
Full text
With sales of tablet PCs rocketing, Dr Phil Koczan takes two of them out on a GP test-run
The number of practices using computers to collect clinical data has been steadily growing and many now use electronic storage as their main method of maintaining clinical records.
While this has many benefits, a common drawback for GPs is a lack of portability, which is important for home visits, outof-hours work and any meeting away from the computer.
One option is to use a laptop, either using downloads or as a direct link to the surgery. The modem link to the surgery system needs to be very secure, and your clinical system supplier should be able to advise you on the latest authentication technology. In addition, typing into a laptop on your knees can be cumbersome.
Tablet PCs are the latest alternative. These are touchsensitive monitors that have been developed for portable PCs, doing away with the need for keyboard and mouse.
I took a look at two tablet PCs, both with an on-screen keyboard operated by touching the screen with a stylus. Both have handwriting recognition software, but it is not easy to use on the Panasonic Toughbook because of the screen's tough exterior, which is designed for durability. With the Compaq Tablet PC, the software works well,meaning that the GP could have the tablet PC flat on the desk and hand write notes as if using paper, but still have all the functionality of a clinical system, accessed by touching the stylus on the screen.
Toughbook CF-07
The Toughbook CF-07 from Panasonic is a portable PC, designed to be small enough to carry in one hand with the functionality of a normal laptop.
It is supplied in three parts: a screen, a remote unit containing the hard disk, and a docking station. The screen is small and lightweight, and can be easily held in the hand for long periods, particularly with the strap that wraps round the hand.
...