anonymous wrote on Monday, October 15, 2012:
Seeing as how Windows 8 is being released soon, I think this should be brought up.
One of the advantages to Windows 8 in the “tablet” format is it will function as a fully functional computer with the ergonomics and utility similar to the iPad. This means that theoretically, assuming the software runs well, should be easier on the doctors that use this EMR, as touchscreens and pens are more “intuitive” than just using a mouse for navigation. Also, I’m hoping to see that using the ease of the iPad-ish UI with real computer features (where the iPad and Android tablets fall short) will add to the general electronic-hospital-doctor relationship in the medical world.
The practice I manage with Open EMR tried using the Samsung Slate with Windows 8 pre-release during July. The WACOM stylus was a major plus since it enabled the employees and doctors to sign PDF sheets (the iPad and Android can do this, but not as well as Windows 8). The way the OS handled clinical pictures and the file manager was super easy, too (compared to a Windows 7 and Mac OSX comp). It ran things like an iPad with all the features of a normal computer. Only problem was IE10 kept crashing like a mad man on the desktop and metro version. We returned the product as a result. Also, the product did not come with a portable keyboard dock (the dock was a dock and is supposed to stay stationary on a desk). The lack of a protective and practical casing was also a factor on returning the product, which is definitely 100% fixed with the upcoming Windows 8 computers.
So yeah, the main point I’m trying to get out of this is that Open EMR should take advantage of what Windows 8 has: capacitative touchscreen capability, WACOM stylus convenience (such as “electronic signatures”), and compatibility with IE10. This is all assuming that the doctor and employee uses a portable device instead of a desktop in each room though. Also assuming that Windows 8 won’t turn into another Vista…