3 Great Ways iPads Help Improve PT Clinics

The introduction of the iPad in April 2010 has helped revolutionize the way healthcare professionals perform their daily tasks. Allowing for mobility, easier access to online physical therapy software programs, and more interactive patient education, this relatively new tablet has helped improve PT clinics everywhere. Although it may not be the solution to everything, it is much less intimidating for patients than a stack of paper or a desktop computer.

Here are three great benefits that physical therapy clinics can gain from using PT software programs on an iPad.

1. Access from anywhere with real time updates
   In a physical therapy clinic, mobility is key to improve efficiency. Using a secure wireless connection with a mobile device, such as an iPad or other tablet, in the clinic can allow physical therapists to document items in real time. Inputting gym exercises into a digital flowsheet can help accelerate the process of paperwork as well as allow for patient interaction as objectives are attempted and completed. Also, the real-time note taking abilities help create more accurate billing.
   The use of the iPad is especially convenient for physical therapists with older or younger clients who require house calls. After installing online PT software programs to an iPad or other mobile device, it can be used anywhere with an Internet connection. This allows for quick data completion on-site instead of countless hours back at the clinic.


2. Convenient access to multimedia articles and diagrams
   Along with more efficient documentation, the iPad can be used as an educational tool as well. With convenient access to articles and diagrams across many different media including videos, charts, animations, blogs and more, teaching can be done interactively with a patient anywhere. Also, medical apps are becoming more readily available for exercise programs, surgical procedures, anatomical viewing, geniometry and more.
   For physical therapists treating children, there are apps and games available that can be downloaded to the iPad to help with hand-eye coordination, balance, speech and many more.


3. Does not require excessive IT support
   Cutting costs is easy when implementing more iPads and less desktop computers into PT clinics. Although they shouldn't completely replace desktop computers as they are unable to connect (without Bluetooth) to a printer, fax machine, camera, or scanner, they will cut back on the excessive need for IT support.
   It is small, light and a completely mobile resource. Also, much cheaper than a desktop Apple computer, the iPad and other tablets are both affordable and portable. It's battery life may seem short compared to a desktop computer, but it with extended battery life it can last up to 10 hours, which is a full day of work.

For PTs in a clinical setting, iPads with physical therapy software programs can be useful tools for implementing more effective educational plans and patient interactivity.