http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/survey-finds-physicians-split-over-tablet-pc

“The study, conducted from September to December 2004, found that outpatient physicians were buying mobile devices with standalone clinical solutions to access data, assist them in making diagnoses and prescribe medications.”

“”It really depends on the environment,” Malkary said. “Larger networks such as Partners Healthcare have invested heavily in wired solutions.” Physicians in such environments are likely to be happiest with traditional desktop PCs.”

What? Physicians polled actually are happiest with traditional desktops? No it cannot be so! Because Mr. HISTalk and a self selecting group of posters say it ain’t so.

The fact is there are numerous choices out there from PDA solutions to tablet PC’s (held like a chart) with barcode scanners built in. All these solutions are in use and have been in use for years, and it seems that as far back as 2004 (half a decade ago) there are many Inpatient physicians that are very happy with wired as well as none-wired solutions, contrary to localized conventional wisdom. But no two Physicians are the same, which is why we have choice.

Back in the paper days the Physician could fill out forms or update the record after the patient has left the building. He still has that option. I know I couldn’t fill out a form while keeping both eyes on the patient, so not much has changed in the move from an input device of pen to input device of keyboard/mouse/Dragon/transcription service/nurse/PDA/tablet pc with handwriting or shorthand recognition.

You do have a point though, the keyboard and mouse are flawed. Multitouch and gesture devices are becoming increasingly available and that’s a great thing. But let’s not pretend to reinvent the wheel that’s already be re-invented.

I will leave with a few google searches;
“physicians unhappy with PC’s” – Nope, not much here.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3A*%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SNYR_enUS315&q=physicians+unhappy+with+PC%27s&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

“Physician unhappy with EMRs”. – There must be something here? Where are all these unhappy Physicians?
http://www.google.com/search?q=physician+unhappy+with+EMRs&hl=en&rlz=1W1SNYR_enUS315US316&start=0&sa=N

[From Mr. HIStalk] My doctor (academically affiliated) has an EMR. It’s running on a plain old deskop PC and monitor in the exam room, forcing him to place his back to the exam table where I’m sitting while we’re talking. There’s no way he could use it standing up or while doing anything else, like paying rapt attention to me (although he’s pretty good at simulating multitasking by giving the PC and me equal time slices so that I have the iilusion that his keyboarding is non-invasive). I don’t know the stats (if you do, let me know because I’m curious) but I would have bet that most docs have a similar setup to mine. I know all that other technology is out there, but I’ve yet to see it used personally, except by Canine HIStalk’s veterinarian (ironic, I know).

Also from a CPOE hospital: Physicians are hiring rounding nurses and PA’s to assist and to do their computer work. Office scribes are entering admitting orders. Maybe there’s hope for the unemployed temps.