For physicians who are planning on using tablet PC's in practice, I believe there are some values to using them prior to implementing an EMR.

First getting use to the pen/stylus as an input device takes a little practice. Holding the pen upright and pressing with a steady stroke and trying to be legible helps a lot.

Upgrading to the latest Windows XP service pack adds significantly to recognition accuracy and improves the input panel.

Building a medical vocabulary for the tablet as well as Microsoft Word (if you intend to use that as your word processor) is a major benefit.

By the way, I am a Pediatrician in a solo practice who has been using a tablet PC wirelessly connected to the front desk computer and the back office laptop with a primitive EMR that I composed from Microsoft Office components: Outlook for appointments, Word for patient progress notes (using templates created for typical visits), Excel for Growth Charts and various tracking issues. I also receive all faxes in the Front Desk computer's fax inbox (avoiding printing spam and storing in the patient's EMR ( a folder with the patient's name and birthdate as well as nested folders for information, growth charts, progress notes,telephone calls, lab and xray results). Initially I have used a hard copy of the data in a real paper chart while I am transitioning old charts to EMR (scanning in all prior paper records). My experience with this project has covered 6 months of real time use plus 4-5 months of prior tablet use.

Best wishes with your new practice!

Bob Langston MD