Let The Healthcare Tablet Wars Begin
By Ken Congdon, editor in chief, Health IT Outcomes
Two weeks ago, in my HIMSS11 post show report, I referenced how a flurry of new tablet computers (designed to take on Apple's iPad in the healthcare market) were showcased at the trade show. These new tablets include the Motorola Xoom, the BlackBerry PlayBook, the HP TouchPad, the CL900 from Motion Computing, and the Stylistic Q550 by Fujitsu. Then, on the heels of HIMSS11, Apple announced the release of the iPad 2, adding another log to an already raging fire.
There's no doubt that the growing demand for information access at the point of care is leading to increased use of mobile computers and smartphones by clinicians. Furthermore, the tablet has emerged as the computing platform of choice for physicians, thanks in large part to the form factor made famous by last year's iteration of the iPad. However, whereas last year the iPad was unique in regards to user experience and feature set, this year there are a whole host of competitive options available — all taking aim at the iPad and its perceived weaknesses as a clinical tool.
Replacing The iPad As King Of The Hill
While the competition is fierce, taking market share away from the iPad in the healthcare space won't be an easy task for other vendors. Why? First, the iPad has a year-long head start in gaining mindshare with the physician community. In fact, according to Chilmark Research approximately 22% of U.S. doctors were using iPads for clinical purposes by the end of 2010. A recent survey by Aptilion also showed that the iPad retains an approval rating of 79% among healthcare professionals. Furthermore, during Apple's launch event for the iPad 2, Dr. John Halamka, CIO of Beth Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, endorsed the product in a video montage. In the video, Halamka praised the device for allowing doctors to not only spend more time with patients, but also actively engage patients in their care by showing them images and data on the iPad screen.
Second, the iPad 2 has corrected some of the weaknesses competitors were hoping to capitalize on. Primarily, the iPad 2's A5 dual-core processor improves the speed and performance of the tablet, which is critical for medical field applications. The graphics on the iPad 2 have also been enhanced, allowing for clearer viewing of medical images such as CT scans and x-rays. However, the most important enhancement to the iPad 2 from a healthcare perspective is the addition of front- and rear-facing cameras. These cameras could be vital in adding images of medical conditions to the patient record or sharing them with colleagues to improve patient care.
Third, Apple will also have the advantage of beating most of its competitors to market in 2011. The iPad 2 has a release date of March 11, while most of the other tablets won't be released until the April/May timeframe.
Security & Operating Systems Are Points Of Contention
While several of the issues with the iPad have been addressed in version 2, some glaring weaknesses still remain — namely device security and operating system concerns. These are the areas where iPad competitors can make noticeable inroads with the healthcare community. For example, BlackBerry's PlayBook promotes its out-of-the-box compatibility with BlackBerry Enterprise Server, allowing for centralized security and management of the devices (which is ideal for HIPAA compliance). The CL900 by Motion Computing and the Q550 by Fujitsu, on the other hand, boast Windows 7 operating systems, allowing for seamless integration with existing IT infrastructures. The battle lines have most certainly been drawn. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Ken Congdon is Editor In Chief of Health IT Outcomes. He can be reached at ken.congdon@jamesonpublishing.com.