A post today on the Triple Helix blog explores the multitude of ways that Apple's iPad might facilitate further modernization in medicine. In the entry, Lauren Piccioli points out that while many have speculated the iPad will significantly transform hospital operation and the patient-physician relationship, the device has also spurred changes in medical education:
Regarding iPad use in the healthcare field, many people restrict its possible use to the hospital setting. However, iPads are being increasingly used and are gaining recognition in a different setting, the medical school. Many schools have adopted programs where they provide their students with iPads. The University of California at Irvine School of Medicine has implemented a system where first year students are provided access to four key texts from their UCI-furnished iPad’s. In an online article, Dr. Ralph V. Clayman, Dean of the UCI School of Medicine states, “We believe a digitally based curriculum is the future of medical education.” In addition, Stanford University’s School of Medicine has also adopted the iPad. According to J. Patrick in an article entitled “iPad in education: Stanford Medical School Giving iPad’s to Students”, the school cited reasons behind the new program including going green, information literacy, and sharability.
It's too soon, of course, to definitively state whether the iPad will revolutionize medicine, but it's safe to say that Apple successfully sparked competition among device manufacturers to develop a range of tablets with the potential to usher in a new era in health care.
Previously: A look at an iPad in the operating room, Associated Press looks at iPad use at Stanford's medical school and UCI medical students will also receive iPads and Stanford medical and Master of Medicine students will receive iPads
Photo by Stanford EdTech
