Netbook vs iPad for clinical rotations?

[Angie09]

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Hi, everyone! I'm about to start clinical rotations, and I'm trying to figure out whether to buy a netbook or an iPad. I want something extremely portable, that I can take to clinics with me and:

1) use for writing discharges and ordering labs etc (since we're often short on computers in the hospital and I don't want to waste a lot of time standing around waiting for one).

2) easily carry around (iPad might be better here since it would fit in my white coat pocket, which I don't think a netbook would do).

3) take notes on in lectures and rounds (here a netbook might be better unless I buy the roll-up keyboard for the iPad).

Do you have any opinions about which would be more useful in clinics?

Thanks!

 

[EgotiStick]

The iPad is probably more portable, but don't discount the large smug footprint.

 

[namethatsmell]

Check a few threads down in this form for a thread marked "laptops"...some good info there.

1) use for writing discharges and ordering labs etc (since we're often short on computers in the hospital and I don't want to waste a lot of time standing around waiting for one).

I'd check to see if this is actually possible. If you are thinking of composing files on your computer and then somehow transferring them to the clinic's computer (via email, memory stick, etc)...I'd think again as this has the potential for massive HIPAA violation written all over it. If the IT folks are willing to install (or let you install) whatever remote software you need to connect to your patient's chart (to write discharge summaries and ordering labs)...that's a whole different story...and a netbook would probably offer the greatest likelihood of being compatible with their software.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

1) use for writing discharges and ordering labs etc (since we're often short on computers in the hospital and I don't want to waste a lot of time standing around waiting for one).

As mentioned above; hard to know if you are going to be able to do this remotely.

Additionally, most students don't end up writing tons of orders anyways...

2) easily carry around (iPad might be better here since it would fit in my white coat pocket, which I don't think a netbook would do).

You must have bigger white coat pockets than we did

3) take notes on in lectures and rounds (here a netbook might be better unless I buy the roll-up keyboard for the iPad).

I think it is highly unlikely you will be taking any form of computer notes during rounds...unless you are also going to carry around a table to set the device down and type on, or hold it in one hand and one-finger type with the other.

Do you have any opinions about which would be more useful in clinics?

I don't really think either will have any great use in med school clinical rotations. Buy whichever you want for your overall personal computing needs...but their role on the wards will be limited.

 

[Jolie South]

As mentioned above; hard to know if you are going to be able to do this remotely.

Additionally, most students don't end up writing tons of orders anyways...



You must have bigger white coat pockets than we did



I think it is highly unlikely you will be taking any form of computer notes during rounds...unless you are also going to carry around a table to set the device down and type on, or hold it in one hand and one-finger type with the other.



I don't really think either will have any great use in med school clinical rotations. Buy whichever you want for your overall personal computing needs...but their role on the wards will be limited.

Agree with all of this.

Also, we received many e-mails from our school about not keeping patient info on our personal computers as it has the potential for massive HIPAA violations if stolen, lost, etc.

 

[Angie09]

I'm actually a vet student, so HIPAA isn't really as much of an issue with my dog and cat patients. 🙂 Our records/discharge software is internet-based, and I can access it through a personal computer with multiple login steps (the same steps you have to go through in the hospital). Also, students write most of the discharges in my program, and request most of the labs. So I do expect to be using a computer quite a lot during clinical rotations (and wished I had one during the rotations I've already done) although you make a good point about not needing one during rounds.

I'm also cross-posting on the vet board; I just wanted as many opinions as possible. Thanks for your help!

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I'm actually a vet student, so HIPAA isn't really as much of an issue with my dog and cat patients. 🙂 Our records/discharge software is internet-based, and I can access it through a personal computer with multiple login steps (the same steps you have to go through in the hospital). Also, students write most of the discharges in my program, and request most of the labs. So I do expect to be using a computer quite a lot during clinical rotations (and wished I had one during the rotations I've already done) although you make a good point about not needing one during rounds.

I'm also cross-posting on the vet board; I just wanted as many opinions as possible. Thanks for your help!

Our ability to tell you what will or will not be helpful in veterinary school is extremely limited, as the structure and day to day experiences of your curriculum will be very different from ours.

 

[Neuronix]

I'm also cross-posting on the vet board; I just wanted as many opinions as possible. Thanks for your help!

Yeah... cross-posting is not permitted. Please don't do that. Closing the thread.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=801818