In pictures: 12 ways the iPad Is changing healthcare

For an industry that has tried to avoid technology, healthcare is embracing the iPad. Here's a look at how it's being used today and the promise it holds for tomorrow.

The iPad Engages Patients

Today's healthcare providers struggle with patient engagement, in part because patient portals and personal health record (PHR) systems have failed to attract users. The iPad is changing this, both inside and outside the healthcare facility. The aforementioned digital questionnaires are a start, as are surveys taken at discharge that let staff members receive real-time feedback about a patient's visit. Physicians can also use iPad apps to explain medical conditions—in some cases, by drawing on images of X-rays. Finally, many hospitals, including California's Twin Cities Community Hospital, now offer free apps to track waiting times, find physicians, browse a health library and store personal medical information, including medications and allergies.

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