Think the iPad will be useful for medical students?

[ero87]

As I am about to begin medical school, I've been looking forward to the iPad announcement - I'm hoping it will replace the need for huge expensive textbooks and give me a great option for studying on the go.

Do you all think that the iPad, as announced today, will fit that bill? I was hoping for a really dynamic textbook reading experience - built-in animations, quizzes, images, movies. But it seems that the iBooks app just shows text and images. Any optimism that the iPad will be a med student's dream?

 

[Matthew Yohe]

Do you all think that the iPad, as announced today, will fit that bill? I was hoping for a really dynamic textbook reading experience - built-in animations, quizzes, images, movies. But it seems that the iBooks app just shows text and images. Any optimism that the iPad will be a med student's dream?

It will in time, but text book makers are certainly not pumping out the content yet. Steve made a side remark today about textbooks, but made little mention.

(No McGraw Hill mention either)

 

[gibbz]

I think it can be if developers target it. The iPhone has all kinds of cool medical stuff like Epocrates, Medscape, and Netter's flash cards ... to name a few. As far as textbooks go, I guess you'll just have to wait and see if they come out with something. My guess is that they will.

 

[NT1440]

It will be good at whatever developers make it good at.

 

[Palm Pimp]

Without multitasking it's dead in the water.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Without multitasking it's dead in the water.

Yah definitely. If I can't monitor a remote EKG, twitter and watch my favorite high definition movie rental all at the same time this thing is a JOKE.

 

[Surely]

I think that it'll be useful in a clinic setting once the devs prepare a good clinic notes program.

For med students..... not so much now. Maybe in 5 years, but the textbook makers meed some time to catch up to the technology.

 

[Chaos123x]

I bet your books on the ipad will be more expensive cause you won't be able to buy them used or sell them when your done.

But I do think hospitals would love to have these devices with there own custom apps for paient info and stuff. I think medical industry is all about Star trek TnG with all there communicator badges and stuff.