What follows
is a brief, high level summary of the current status of tablet computer
systems, their use of open source software, and how they are beginning to be
used in the healthcare arena.
A 'tablet'
computer is a mobile computing device, larger than a mobile phone,
integrated into a flat panel screen, and primarily operated by touching the
screen rather than using a physical keyboard.
Many of
today's tablet computers include wireless Internet browsing functions, GPS
navigation, video camera functions, have 8 to 10 inch screens, weigh les than
two pounds (1 kilograms), and typically have a battery life of five to ten
hours.
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The tablet market has experienced rapid growth
over the last two years. It has outpaced other computer devices at a similar
point in their lifecycle. In fact, shipments
of tablet computer devices may exceed 350 million units by 2016 according to
various estimates from various industry
experts.
The medical community, in particular, has taken to tablets in droves over the past year and sales show no signs of slowing. The reason is that clinicians have found tablet computer devices to be a user-friendly product that readily fits into their clinical business practices.
Tablet Technology & Open Source
Enterprise IT
Architects are now being asked to provide strategies, technologies, and
specific recommendations for mobile platforms (e.g. tablets, smartphones) and mobile
applications to meet the business needs of organizations.
With regards to
tablet computers, selecting an enterprise solution currently comes down to
three choices: the Apple iPad, Android-based devices, with Research In Motion's
(RIM) BlackBerry running a distant third. However, stay tuned for news about open source Linux
based solutions for tablets.
While a large number
of tablets today use Google's Android platform, which isn't entirely open, a
slowly growing number tablets are entering the market preloaded with a truly
open source variant of Linux, e.g. ZaReason,
Shogo, AuraSlate, Vivaldi.
See PC
World article and check out Aaron
Seigo's blog.
'Open Source' Operating Systems for
Tablets
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Tablets in Healthcare [and examples]
Clinicians spend much
of their day communicating with patients, taking notes and managing
information. With their lightweight, small size, long battery life, and
easy-to-use touch screens, tablets seem to be a natural fit for the healthcare
environment. Instead of using clipboards, paper files, or a cumbersome
laptop, clinicians can easily carry tablets around and use them to track
patient information, conduct research, and stay connected with others on the
patient's primary care team. This translates into operational efficiencies and
better quality of care.
There
are now numerous, useful mobile apps for tablets aimed at both healthcare
providers and their patients. Many of these are low cost or free & open source mobile apps. For example, check
out the following:
* Check out some of the Open Health News (OHN) articles
on tablet computers at http://www.openhealthnews.com/search/node/tablet
Example - Tablets in the VA
The U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been a leader in the use of health information
technology for more than two decades. One area it is now focused on is
development and implementation of innovative mobile healthcare (mHealth)
initiatives - for both patients and healthcare providers. One of their goals is to leverage mHealth
technology to improve patient care by increasing the frequency and quality of
the interactions it has with its veteran
over time.
Before diving
headlong into mHealth and adopting a particular mobile platform, the VA
conducted a detailed analysis of
functional and technical requirements, operating policies, standards,
privacy and security issues, and their existing health IT infrastructure. The
objective was to ensure that selected mHealth hardware and software solutions
would mesh seamlessly with the integrated health IT architecture at the VA. The
VA views the use of mHealth as just one of many modalities that will be used to
deliver care and services to meet the needs of veterans.
Finally, the VA
mobile strategy includes releasing mHealth apps into the public domain and
sharing them with the rapidly growing open source community. This falls in line
with the VA's Open Source Electronic Health Record Agent (OSEHRA) initiative
and its strategy to collaborate with the healthcare community on the
development of innovative, 'open' health IT solutions to meet its needs for the
future.
VA 'Clinic-in-Hand'
Project
According to a notice on the Federal Business
Opportunities website, the VA plans to launch a pilot program that will
provide iPads to 1,000 family caregivers. The devices will be
equipped with health care applications and tools to assist caregivers in
delivering at-home health care services to veterans. The project will
allow veterans and their family caregivers to access their demographic
information, laboratory data, medications, allergies, appointments, problem
list and more. It will also allow them to communicate and share information
with their VA healthcare provider teams. The VA is also developing a 'VA App
Store' to hold all mobile apps developed by the VA and certified non-VA apps.
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Conclusions & Recommendations
The number of tablet
computers sold in the U.S. and around the world will continue to grow at a
phenomenal rate over the coming 4-5 years. Most of these will be iPad or
Android-based devices, though a new wave of truly open source Linux-based tablets are now entering the market. In healthcare, the rapidly increasing use of
tablets by both clinicians and their patients is exciting to watch. The number
of innovative, low cost or free and open source mobile health apps that are now
available is amazing. Don't look for the pace of change to slow anytime soon.
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