Curious if anyone has any recommendations regarding a laptop that can run EPIC fairly well while working from home/per diem position.
Not really looking to spend a ton. Would a 15" fairly modest laptop get the job done? Anyone have experience?
Thanks
Assuming you’re connecting through citric, you can use just about anything. I’ve used Macs and mid-range Windows laptops in the past. Currently, I’m using a very low spec Chromebook to remote in. I’m able to use EPIC and natus persyst without any issues.
Just make sure the keyboard has a good F2 key. I bought a laptop for my wife that defaulted the F2 key to volume control or something and you had to press Fn + F2 to jump to the three asterisks so it was a pain
Citrix cerner and epic are both notably sluggish on my 2015 macbook pro compared to my desktop PC.
For quality of life, I’d also invest in an external monitor. I run 3 monitors and it’s super nice (usually 2 for epic, 1 for uptodate/dynamed/activities)
I use my MacBook Pro and VPN in. I love it!
Yes-Citrix and chrome works great.
Have a crappy $250 2016 lenovo and have no problems with it. Bought the laptop specifically to work on things from home through vpn.
Lenovo makes the best keyboards for long-term comfortable typing. But they ship with a lot of dumb Lenovo programs (bloatware) so just be ready to do some cleaning.
I work remotely and I’ve used Citrix on the Lenovo laptop and now on my HP Elite that my work has provided for me. Citrix has worked just fine on both.
I do, i have a 13” macbook, so i bought a 25” monitor and connect via hdmi, that way i can see more, look at my old notes, expand xrays etc. Also use a bluetooth keyboard bc of the F2. No problems with connectivity or speed, sometimes lags when minimizing.
You can use just about anything. The requirements are really low
You can run it through a tablet as well if you think a ipad may have more functionality if your outside of just using it for EPIC.
Alternatively, if you want to save money and just make use of your 4K imac and your MBP. You could set up EPIC on your 4K IMac then use something like Teamviewer to remote in from the MBP to your 4K Imac.
For me it’s pretty good on citrix, a little slower than on desktops at the hospital but pretty good.
FYI it’s “Epic,” like a big novel, not an abbreviation.
Use my Thinkpad for this, and previously a MacBook Air.
A good keyboard makes a big difference.
One of the most important ways to have a healthy work life balance is to never take work home.
I try to finish my notes before going home, or finish them by noon the next day (as mornings are usually filled with newborn visits). The only time I pull up my EMR at home is if I get called for a critical lab.
I have a 15" laptop that I work on. I agree that it’s slower than a desktop. At times there is some slight lag when typing. I don’t have a native F2 button (I’ll have to see if I have an F2 lock - that would be amazing), or home /end/page up/page down, which sucks (but negated by getting a mouse). Unless you have a minimal tabs in your customization, you’ll probably have a scroll bar to get between the tabs during an encounter. I use notewriter, and there are up /down and left /right scroll bars on the ros and physical, but that only matters when needing to change my default negative macro.
Basically, it is noticeably less efficient. But it is usable enough that it is still what I use 99.9% of the time because the benefit of sitting wherever I want is worth it.
Consider getting an external monitor. Epic is not well designed for small screens (at least my build) and it can be frustrating. A 21-27 inch monitor is relatively cheap and will make life a lot easier/less frustrating for you.
Get a gaming laptop and play a round of PUBG in between charting
Makes me think there should be a HealthIT subreddit…
Local hospital just went live with Epic this past week. A lot better UI than their previous ChartMax but I wasn’t happy to have to install Flash on my Providers’ MacBooks.
One provider managed to get the Epic app installed on his iPad and iPhone while he was rounding. Maybe an iPad or iPad Pro with a Bluetooth keyboard might be useful?
Yea, I would use citrix. Thanks, that was basically the answer I was looking for. I will probably go for a cheapish chromebook.