Doctors Sold on iPad Mini, Survey Shows

Apple's new iPad Mini is receiving a ringing endorsement from physicians. According to a recent poll conducted by medical app developer Epocrates, one in three doctors have made the decision to purchase the device.

Contemporary competitors like Microsoft (with their Surface line of tablets released last month) have invested tremendous resources in beefing up their display and touch features.

However, the small size of the iPad Mini has become the biggest selling point for 90 per cent of the Epocrates survey's respondents.

The other advantage of owning an iPad Mini, according to doctors responding to this survey: the ability to rapidly access patient records and use a multitude of apps concerned with specific ailments.

In fact, some observers estimate that as many as 62 per cent of U.S. doctors use some form of tablet computer for work purposes. (Source: computerworld.com)

iPad Mini: A Nice Fit for Lab Coats

One reason for the iPad Mini's popularity with the physician set is that the new Apple device fits nicely into the pocket of most lab coats.

Standard lab coat pockets are 8.5 inches deep and 7.5 inches wide. The iPad Mini conveniently measures 7.87 inches long and 5.3 inches wide -- an easy and comfortable fit.

Currently, the top three "smart device" choices within the medical profession are: Apple iPhone (59%), Apple iPad (28%) and Android smartphone (21%).

Data Entry on Small Screen an Issue

However, not everyone in the healthcare industry has been wowed by the Mini. Gregg Malkary, founder of the market intelligence firm Spyglass Consulting Group, claims the device is not the "right form factor" to input important health information.

He acknowledges that the iPad Mini brings great portability. However, he feels the virtual keyboard takes up a great deal of the already limited display screen area.

Malkary even suggests that some doctors will need to consider carrying a Bluetooth keyboard, perhaps in their other lab coat pocket, to use with the Apple tablet.

Said Malkary: "If all you are going to be doing is accessing reference tools (the iPad Mini) could be an excellent tool. But for those that require data entry, there has to be a better way." (Source: eweek.com)