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The Use Of IPads In The Medical Profession

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Medical professionals are using iPads and other tablets in increasing numbers. A recent survey has shown that 26% of the European iPad and they spend over a quarter of their professional time on the device. iPad owning doctors used desktops and laptops for 55% of their professional internet use and smartphones for the remaining 18%. Doctors are using their devices to find information, browse articles, and educate their patients as they continue to take advantage of the technology available to them. With this in mind, I have decided to take a look at some of the top ways in which doctors are using iPads in hospitals.

Medical updates and Education

Medicine is a constantly evolving profession with new treatments and procedures being developed all the time. New conditions are being defined and fresh research is being conducted and iPads can help doctors and nurses stay up to date with all the latest relevant medical information.  iPads provide quick and easy access to medical journals, notes, and medical news, making it simple for busy doctors to keep up to date with the latest developments happening in the medical profession.

Accessing medical records

With the iPad accessing patient records can be easier and more straightforward than searching through a clipboard full of a patient’s medical papers. iPads offer quick and easy access to electronic medical records anywhere at any time, allowing doctors to share information with others promptly and update patient records. Some doctors tend to use laptops to store their medical records but the iPad is a portable and much more convenient alternative.

Diagnosing patients

There are several apps available that allow doctors to use iPads to assist them when diagnosing patients. One such app will communicate directly with a hospital’s picture archiving and communication system to retrieve images, allowing doctors not on-site to view images of scans and provide a diagnosis. A similar app allows emergency personnel to send photos of the electrocardiogram (ECG) image, a test that records the heart’s electrical impulses, to the staff at the hospital in order to speed up the treatment of heart attacks.

Improving communication

Using tablets can be very helpful when performing hospital rounds, making them quicker and allowing doctors to pull up records, and document visits with a few simple swipes of the finger. iPads can also help improve communication and understanding between patient and doctor, giving patients a better understanding of their treatment and condition. Doctors can use the tablet to clearly explain illnesses, injuries, and complicated procedures.

Facetime can also be used to let patients with limited mobility or speech functions communicate with doctors and families wherever they happen to be. By helping patients understand what is happening to them hospitals will benefit from an improved relationship between staff and patients.

Wherever an iPad is used, keeping it safe and secure should be a priority. Never forget to kit your tablet out with protective cases, whether you are taking it on rounds or using it around the home.