Disclaimer:  Do not buy the Vista home edition.  It does not network appropriately!  It will not run the EMR.   The EMR uses a back-end SQL Server database; the home edition does not connect with this SQL database.

Tablet PC versus touchscreen monitor:  since the ClinicPro chiropractic EMR operates in a touchscreen environment, you can use a mouse, a tablet PC or touchscreen monitor to record your soap notes.  The equipment that you decide to use is entirely up to you. 

Tablet PC: a tablet PC has the advantage of being portable so that you can carry it from room to room.  Because you do not have to have a computer in every room, this can be less expensive than going with touchscreen monitors in each room.  In addition, many tablet PCs have the capability of recognizing handwriting.  If that is the case, you can write notes on any of the note screens in the EMR.  This gives you an additional way to record notes that are specific to the patient's condition that do not fit into the template environment.  You can also use a dictation software such as DragonDictate to record your extra notes.  The biggest disadvantage of the tablet PC is the fact that it needs to connect to your network via a wireless router.  If there are a lot of wireless routers in your immediate vicinity, it will sometimes drop the signal unexpectedly. 

There are many good tablet PCs on the market ranging in cost from $1000-$3000.  You may want to go to a store and actually "hold and play with" the tablet PC to see how it feels in your hands.  Remember, you will be carrying it from room to room and using it for many hours a day.  You may want to check out the following brands: HP, Toshiba, Fujitsu and Dell.

Touchscreen Monitor: a touchscreen monitor has to be hooked to an entire computer system.  The monitor itself will cost between $600 and $800.  The computer system can be relatively simple as long as it has 2 GB of RAM.  You might want to look at all-in-one systems such as HP TouchSmart.  This is a computer system and touchscreen monitor all built into one compact unit.  You can also buy touchscreen monitors alone or overlays that turn a regular monitor into a touchscreen..

Your initial outlay for touchscreen monitors and computer systems in every room will be more expensive than tablet PCs.  On the other hand, the computers can be hardwired into your network and you will not have problems of dropping signals.  In addition, you will not have to carry anything from room to room.  The computer will be waiting for you.

Which is best?  The best configuration depends entirely upon you.  For some doctors, portability is very important.  Other doctors want large touchscreen monitors where the buttons are extremely easy to locate and push.  You will need to review both options and decide which one meet your needs the best.

Clinic Pro EMR Hardware Recommendations for practice management
Clinic Pro Medical Software does not sell computer hardware. Quite frankly, some software companies force you to buy hardware from them so they can mark it up considerably.   We have a different philosophy. We want you to buy your computer equipment from a local store so that you can get quick and reliable service.
Windows - Clinic Pro is a 32 bit program. It will run on any machine that runs Windows 2003 Server, XPPro or Vista that has at least 2 gigabyte RAM.   We recommend 4 gig of RAM if you are buying new machines.
 

Server (Main computer) Minimum hardware recommendations if you are buying new - remember, it runs on any machine running Windows XPPro or Vista business
Pentium IV
150+ gig hard drive
4 gig RAM
super VGA color monitor
DVD/CD ROM drive
Windows XPPro, Vista Business - we recommend XPPro
compatible mouse, keyboard
laser or desk jet printer
external hard drive backup

Network Recommendations

Windows XPPro - for up to 20 stations; dedicated server when you have 7 or more stations

2003 or 2007 Server - over 20 stations

Speed, Memory: 2 gigahertz PC with 4 gig RAM; Lynksys (or similar) Network cards – 100 megahertz network; U2 or U3 SCSi interface, 100 megahertz Lynksys, Dlink (or similar) Switch with twisted pair wiring (Cat 5 cable)

Workstations: 1+ gigahertz computers with 2 gig RAM

Disclaimer:  Do not buy the Vista home edition.  It does not network appropriately!  It will not run the EMR easily.   The EMR uses a back-end SQL Server database; the home edition does not connect with this database.