G. Stephen Nace, MD

After years of false starts and disappointing products and software, a new generation of tablet PCs, led by the Apple iPad, appears poised for widespread adoption in the clinical setting. What makes the current crop of devices so useful for busy physicians? It all comes down to the perfect combination of form and function.

Technology is extending the reach and scope of disease management in cardiology and other specialties and enabling less obtrusive, real-time patient monitoring.

A key component of health literacy is the ability to understand statistics and concepts like "probability" and "risk."

A key component of health literacy is the ability to understand statistics and concepts like "probability" and "risk."

A key component of health literacy is the ability to understand statistics and concepts like "probability" and "risk."

A key component of health literacy is the ability to understand statistics and concepts like "probability" and "risk."

Tablet PCs are computers powered by Windows operating systems that support functionality for input using digitizing screens designed to interact with a complementary pen.

Tablet PCs are computers powered by Windows operating systems that support functionality for input using digitizing screens designed to interact with a complementary pen.