Handwriting programs. Although handwriting is obviously much slower than other modes of text entry, it is both silent and within your control, making it perfect for taking notes during medical meetings or sessions with patients.
Seiko’s Smartpad2 System for $150 captures notes and drawings directly into your personal or notebook computer or PDA. This information exists only digitally as a picture, however.
The newly available io personal digital pen from Logitech, at $200, offers another cost-effective handwriting alternative. Instead of a pad underneath to capture pen strokes, a tiny camera in the system captures your pen movements, which are transferred to the computer via a cradle. The drawback is that handwriting recognition is limited.
By using Advanced Recognition Technology’s smARTwriter, printed handwriting can be converted into electronic text, which can be then inserted into any document. The program is affordable ($70) but carries significant drawbacks: Printing may be slow, and handwriting recognition is not 100 % accurate.
The Tablet PC presents a possible all-in-one handwriting solution. New to the market, Tablet PC offers built-in handwriting recognition and conversion, voice recognition, and other rich features. Microsoft adapted the Windows XP operating system for the device, which is manufactured by such vendors as Toshiba, Acer, and Hewlett-Packard. It comes in either a slate or clamshell design; the latter style features an integrated keyboard.
Tablet PCs range in cost from $1,500 to $2,500, and are touted to be as easy to use as Microsoft Windows XP with additional practical features. This is a new product, however, and future versions will offer improved accuracy, hardiness, and longevity.
If you have any questions about these methods or comments about Psyber Psychiatry, click here to contact Dr. Luo or send an e-mail to Current.Psychiatry@dowdenhealth.com.
Disclosure:
Dr. Luo reports no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed by Dr. Luo in this column are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Current Psychiatry.