As a platform, the tablet has a wide variety of uses that can range from a gaming device, a GPS, an eBook reader, and more (Crothers, 2010). Yet aside from being used as a personal entertainment device, a tablet has many other practical real world applications in the works. For example, in a business setting, an iPad can download the application called ‘iWorks’ to create and manage spreadsheets, similar to the way Microsoft Excel operates (Parr, 2010).
One of the most interesting potential uses for the tablet lies in the field of medicine. Imagine a hospital where the doctor walks in with a shiny thin tablet and flicks through it to review your medical records. While seemingly preposterous, this is actually very possible. The ease of use that the iPad and other tablets present the user makes it likely to be used for record keeping. Instead of a paper clipboard for one patient, a doctor would be able to carry around a half inch thick tablet with the medical records of all of his patients linked to it (Misra, 2010). An application already exists for the iPad now called Nimble EMR which can be used to download the medical histories of patients as well as help doctors manage their office work (Horrowitz, 2010).
Reference
Crothers, B. (2010, June 13). ReadersΚΌ favorite uses for the iPad | Nanotech - The Circuits Blog - CNET News. cnet.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20007543-64.html
Horowitz, B. (2010, September 30). ClearPractice Launches Electronic Medical Records App on iPad - Health Care IT - News & Reviews - eWeek.com. eweek.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Health-Care-IT/ClearPractice-Launches-Electronic-Medical-Records-App-on-iPad-703293/
Misra, S. (2010, February 4). Apple iPad and Electronic Medical Records – Could it Replace the Physician’s Clipboard? | iMedicalApps. imecialapps.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from http://www.imedicalapps.com/2010/02/the-apple-ipad-and-electronic-medical-records-could-it-replace-the-physicians-clipboard/
Parr, B. (2010, February 5). 5 Potential Business Uses for the iPad : Technology :: American Express OPEN Forum. openforum.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/technology/article/5-potential-business-uses-for-the-ipad-ben-parr
