Although Freed-Hardeman University's nursing program is just two-years-old, it has already achieved success in providing students with the expertise and technical knowledge required to succeed in the nursing field. "We evaluated a wide range of technology solutions before we decided that tablet PCs would provide our nursing students with the best real-world technology experience," said John Bentley, chief information officer at the Henderson, Tenn., school. The school selected CDW-G to provide Fujitsu T4000 tablet PCs to students and faculty.
Nurses Talk TechTM 2006, a study by CDW Healthcare, found that 86 percent of nurses believed that technology has the potential to improve patient care. "We are preparing the next generation of nurses," said Bentley. "Providing innovative technology now, before students enter the field, is one of the many benefits that our program offers to students."
Based in Atlanta, Ga., Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is a fully accredited, four-year institution dedicated to recruiting and training minority and other students as physicians, biomedical scientists and public health professionals committed to the primary health-care needs of the medically underserved.
The American Medical Association's 2006 Healthcare Trends Report cited that younger physicians "rely more on technology than their older colleagues" and that consumers increasingly demonstrate interest in e-health and physicians who provide some medical services online. Understanding the increasingly important role technology will play in higher education and the future of healthcare, MSM evaluated the most effective tools to enhance its students' learning experience and ultimately selected Fujitsu Lifebook T4215 tablets through CDW-G.
"Our 1:1 computing program incorporates a learning management system that enables our students to access and utilize our custom online coursework," said Perry Riggins, interim CIO, MSM. "We look at grades and student feedback to measure the effectiveness of individual applications available on the tablet PCs and then adapt the program accordingly." Riggins noted that the program has been a great success and that "we continue to look at more opportunities to integrate the tablets into our curriculum."
The Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) aims to provide its 300 pharmacy students with the technology, training and support they need to succeed professionally, while enabling a hands-on, interactive learning experience. The school, located in West Palm Beach, Fla., selected CDW-G to provide incoming students with HP TC4400 tablet PCs equipped with DVD drives as well as accessories including custom backpacks and flash drives with the PBAU logo.
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the rapid growth in prescription volume is leading to an overall demand for pharmacists and their services. "While in school, tablet PCs facilitate the electronic dissemination and management of course-related materials and classroom wireless Web access," said Ian Burchette, pharmacy IT specialist, PBA. "Once in their field, our students are able to quickly adapt to evolving technology such as electronic prescriptions and other online health records used throughout the medical industry."
PBA utilizes CDW-G's configuration services to load the school's image - including Microsoft software - onto each machine. CDW-G delivers the fully-imaged machines directly to the school for distribution during orientation. In addition, a CDW-G representative attends orientation, leading a three-hour on-site training session.
"Technology both enhances the medical learning experience and prepares students for their professional careers," said Julie Smith, director of higher education, CDW-G. "CDW-G has helped Freed-Hardeman University, Morehouse College of Medicine and Palm Beach Atlantic University achieve both of these benefits for their students."
For more information about CDW-G 1:1 computing solutions in higher education, please visit www.cdwg.com/education.
