What's the future of webOS in healthcare? 29
In the final days before Feb 9th and HP’s webOS event, Epocrates has sent subscribers another e-mail reminding them of it’s imminent departure from the App Catalog. For those who may have missed the news, the Epocrates beta app will be removed from the catalog on February 1st. The app itself will cease to function for those who have it on June 14th. Developer Alan Teh (@palmdoc) has speculated that perhaps this move is in response to HP partnering with another developer in a move that mirrors the DataViz/QuickOffice shuffle, rather than a business decision due to “relatively low interest from our user base” as they had previously said. While personally I suspect that it truly was a low-demand issue, developer partnership is an interesting solution to the problem of bringing back high-exposure applications on the platform. But is it enough to keep them?
In medical apps, the issue is not functionality. As previously written about, practitioners using webOS can easily get to the same or even better reference information without Epocrates. Rather, the issue is consumer perception for both individuals and companies. It’s difficult enough to stand out against the endless tide of Android devices and their hundreds of thousands of apps when the Catalog has only several thousand. It’s impossible to do so without the anchor apps everyone knows. So how do you keep apps when there aren’t consumers, and how do you get consumers when there aren’t apps?
In healthcare, one solution would be for HP to flex it’s enterprise muscle. A significant proportion of practitioners function either directly in, or are affiliated in some way with large healthcare systems. These folks represent a massive potential user base for webOS. In much the same way HP contracts for hundreds or even thousands of desktop workstations at a time within these systems, they could contract for subsidized webOS handhelds to be used in system-wide deployment. HP could even offer discounted smartphones to these systems as part of workstation contracts, or sweeten the deal by offering to subsidize the cost of site licenses for medical reference applications like Epocrates or Lexi-Comp to run on the platform. This way, rather than just handing developers like Epocrates bags of money to make an app hoping the consumers will come, they can bring the users into the deal as well.
For hospitals, much like other enterprises, the benefits are huge as well. As opposed to Google, you’re dealing with a single company, well established in enterprise, with a vertically integrated handheld solution. Even Apple and RIM can’t claim the kind of multi-billion dollar presence HP has in the space. IT departments won’t have to struggle with myriad different firmwares on different timetables, or complicated setups. They could leverage webOS’s cloud-based distribution methods for private feeds of licensed apps. Even VPN support will be built in.
Of course, this cuts both ways. HP could choose to ignore pursuit of the healthcare sector and it’s enormous installed userbase for webOS. Then IT directors will be faced with the choice of either adopting platforms which have full-featured versions of well-established reference apps, or webOS. Pound for pound as it stands, that’s no choice at all, and you can easily play out this same scenario across industries.
So what’s the future of webOS for healthcare? We already know the consumer sector is going to see a push with new ads and salesforce training underway. We also know that Apotheker has made a point of emphasizing HP’s unique position to meet the needs of consumers and businesses alike, and we know that the enterprise market is up for grabs. Time will ultimately tell, but I hope HP sees the writing on the wall. Fortunately for us the future will start be revealed in just a few more days.
29 Comments
As someone who works in this space, I suggest that HP fund a competitive research program that enables the target users in healthcare to develop and study the applications that will eventually drive adoption. When it comes down to it, who knows what is needed better than the end user?
HP is going is the right directions rifht now with the health care field and the educational field read a out on engadget.... Having HP tech in schools will have kids at a young age get used to HP always being around and yes still having the "cool" factor. Good job HP
If it's going to stop working, then I hope they give all their prior customers full refunds.
@Zen00
the webOS app for epocrates is free. Epocrates already said they would give us users $0 back as reimbursement
The future of webOS in healthcare is grim. Most healthcare workers choose their own phones or smartphones. They aren't purchased for them by hospitals or medical groups. Medical developers already have three clear platform targets - RIM, Android, and iOS. And, they have a couple of legacy platforms that still have some users: Palm OS and Windows Mobile. Medical users will generally choose a platform that will allow them use Epocrates - which is free.
These are niche applications that are used by a small fraction of overall users. The reality is that many medical apps are developed and supported by one individual who uses one platform. So, if only 3-4% of those are using webOS then only 3-4% of medical apps will be available on webOS.
Also, there is a lot of health care that is practiced in rural areas - where roughly half of the US population resides - where AT&T coverage isn't good. Starting next week, medical workers who live or work in these areas will have access to the iPhone on Verizon with much better coverage in these areas.
The first thought I had when the photo came up was, "Is palm attending it's own funeral?"
But seriously. I know a few physicians that use the PalmOS version of medical programs and I would hate to think they will be overlooked as a non market. If HP wants to boost their sales, they must look at niches like this with the realization that it is these small areas that, when combined, make up a greater majority that together are so much more than the sum of their parts. If HP overlooks the little areas, they will fail in the overall scheme and that could be a self fulfilling prophecy of the underlying message of the image above.
Please HP! Don't do it!
It's an odd time to drop out just when they know that HP is coming out with WebOS tablets and phones. There's gotta be more to the story.
dead
Just wait and see, when WebOS market share increases dramatically, all these players will try to run back to the playing field (no doubt).
HP ships 48 million PCs annualy, and 52 million Printers. If they add a coupon/discount in each device shipped for an HP webOS device, that will be massive marketshare increase! in all fields not just healthcare and it will improve the "HP COOL Factor" to the point HP will have to announce a Name Change from HP to HiP....
http://h20338.www2.hp.com/enterprise/us/en/psg/healthcare-solutions.html HP is already in health care they could easily expand that to palm products.
HP and Palm aren't going to make much of a splash in healthcare, and the reason doesn't have anything to do with Epocrates. The push in healthcare IT is electronic health records (EHR) systems on a massive scale. Mobile apps are still in the infancy stages, but the EHR systems behind them are not. Vendors like NextGen, Epic, Siemens and GE have been focusing on iOS and will continue to do so, in part because of the iPad's stranglehold on tablet marketshare. webOS really doesn't stand any chance of overcoming that. (I'm an EHR system developer and implementation specialist, BTW.)
you're half right. This is where HP can get in the game too. Android can't, too much fragmentation. Yes the EHRs have apps for iOS, but all the Docs, hospitals, etc run their EMR/EHRs on PCs. HP makes lots of these. They need to print forms, lab slips, xray/mri orders for patients. HP makes printers. Apple doesn't. HP can/should (I hope will) leverage their vertical integration. By HP desktops and printers. HP Touchsmart laptops that pivot the screen into tablets (but they are still kinda heavy), then leverage/pay/bully EHR vendors into making apps for webOS. Doc can access his/her EMR from home, make a note, it prints in his/her office, filed next AM by office staff. HP WebOS tablet is thinner and lighter than convertible laptop, have patient watch patient education video while you finish documenting.
I'm a physician, some of my partners have iOS, but EMR on iPads suck. Too difficult to enter data. HP integration should help. if you are an EHR system developer, you shouldn't overlook doing an WebOS app too.
In 2012 that Palm Pre will be looking at another grave stone...
R.I.P.
WebOS by HP
2011 - 2012
I´m a physician (orthopedics). I´ve been dreaming about calling HP to explain them my idea.
We already work with SAP systems in the Hospital. We check the Xrays on HP computers or notebooks, same as the blood analysis, notes.... EVERYTHING about the patient, ALL the time (probably we depend on it)
Imagine doing all those things on a TABLET or a PHONE. Take a picture of the patient as soon as he cross the doors. Take all the notes and history RIGHT NEXT TO HIM. Take pictures of the wounds EVERY DAY so my colleagues know if something is going wrong. Make Videocalls to other specialist without having to wait for them.
Having access to medication, journals, etc, etc, etc
Could HP be interesting? I sure hope so!
Does anyone know how can I get to HP so they can hear me out!?!?!
There are 2 of us using a PRE right know, is good, BUT with new hardware and healthcare implementation system it would be THE FUTURE!!!
Please HP. Make something like this happend, so I can keep dreaming!
I am an owner in a company that only uses HP computers. It's a medical business and we use 4 different programs, for our day to day operations. Security of our patient information is our main concern (network is locked down and NO WIRELESS). I can "go to my PC" but my phone must be supported...better yet my tablet. We are looking at having hundreds of patient forms on some sort of tablet right now and we're married to HP. I'd love to see us buy hundreds of capable palm pads. I just see a growing concern with me being the only palm user in my company and everyone else has moved to android, except a few iphone die hards. HP really needs to hit the medical field and hard. All the docs I deal with pay big bucks to be integrated and connected to their businesses through their phones or over a land line through some outside service. There is a huge need and these folks have the $$$ to re up when better things come out. Kudos to palmdoc he has made some amazingly useful apps
bad notice. I am using Eporates every day. May I change for android ? Or return no may old Centro ?
I want to congratulate the Photoshop artist for the story image. Very well done. Great detail.
perhaps if webOS devices functioned adequately these apps would have stayed on board. I can use my EVO's off-line apps anywhere but the pre seizes for most signal or not (same issue with the girlfriend's pre, mine's rooted, her's is stock). basically, seems like Palm knew they were done for and didn't give a damn about what POS they tossed at the marketplace....
Right now, I'm not willing to shovel the dirt onto any one applications grave. I lean toward the belief that HP has a partner lined up in assorted fields (including Medical). For now, I'll take it as a positive, believing that Epocrates and DataViz feel they cannot compete efficiently with the upcoming developments.
I can't wait to see Epocrates come crying back. Then I would say, "Whatever, I found someone else to replace you, HYPOCRATES!!11!!1!"
Our institution used to support Palm OS and Palm Windows Treos, but switched to Blackberry. We use BB for email(lotus Notes, not supported on webOS without software that is not ideal), patient billing (Patient Keeper) and paging and Medical Center alerts. We will use the Playbook linked to the handhelds for our EMR, since the Playbook has Citrix client built in and Adobe Air, so we can use our XRAY viewer. And since the BB devices and Playbooks can be wiped remotely if lost or stolen, less risk of loss of patient related info. And the Playbook has a partition for users to keep photos and personal documents that won't be wiped. Can use Epocrates online version. And though we only use HP computers and printers at our medical center, there is no will to leave BB. Verizon gives us the handsets (Bolds) for free, and charges us for data and phone minutes. The cost of switching from BES to Lotus travellor would be nothing, but security is most important. That being said, I prefer my Pre and use mNotes commontime for my Lotus email, contacts and calendar. Only use the BB for paging. I will miss Epocrates on the Pre. Faster than on iphone or BB.
no tablet is gonna have native EMR support, so no worry about loss of tablet, you need a password to get in, and you access the emr by remote, so that fear is unfounded
oops I meant the EMR is not housed on the tablet, you get to it via a server, and need to log in.
BTW how do you edit comments with the new comment system?
different BTW, how come mobile site doesn't show author anymore?
Having Citrix and Adobe built into the Playbook is key. BB is using our institution to test out Citrix and our web based EMR and PACS system. The fact that no patient data is stored on the device is a plus. The playbook allows you to use the BB handheld keyboard for typing email, documents, etc, that you view via tethering by bluetooth on the Playbook. This is how the Foleo was first imagined. But the screen resolution is superb on the Playbook, better than iPad. HP palm has a lot of work to do to capture the medical enterprise world. Again, we have all HP hardware, and I have wanted a HP Slate to run the EMR and speech recognition, but we are waiting for Playbook, which BB tells us wail have speech recognition software available at launch. BB is on the ball. Speech recognition, Citrix, Adobe, and keyboard tethering and security. We will see how Topaz stacks up.
its enterprise muscle, not it's
1. Any system with PHI (Protected Health Information) must have solid security. webOS v1.x is not up to snuff, but hopefully webOS v2.x will be.
2. If Leo Apotheker realizes his vision of integrating ALL of HP from mobile to enterprise, there just may be a webOS way to interact with the enterprise software.
Good riddance to Epoccrates leaving. I've said it before and will say it again - my pharmacists are constantly having to correct dosing errors written by medical residents using Epocrates. The Lexi-Comp series is a much better reference in terms of dosing accuracy.
The graphic is hilarious!