Epocrates: 20 percent of docs will buy an iPad

Just days after Apple unveiled the iPad mobile computing device, nearly 20 percent of physicians already intend to purchase one within a year and another 38 percent are interested in the iPad but want more information before deciding to buy one, according to a survey from mobile medical reference pioneer Epocrates.

San Mateo, Calif.-based Epocrates surveyed 350 physicians in the first week after Apple introduced the iPad and released the results Thursday to coincide with the company's announcement that it would create an iPad version of its clinical reference software.

"By optimizing our software for the iPad, we are capitalizing on the larger screen real estate and interactivity provided by this sophisticated device. We are committed to providing the most productive experience at the point of care, keeping physicians informed and focused on the patient rather than searching for answers," Epocrates CEO Rose Crane says in a press release."We are continuing to explore the advanced capabilities of the iPad and ways it can help Epocrates address the evolving healthcare technology needs."

Epocrates was the first company to introduce a medical app for the iPhone.

For more information:

- see this news brief from 9 to 5 Mac

- read this Epocrates press release

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