Sounds like the iPad makes for a really good dumb terminal. I guess the advantage over a real computer, in this case, is that it's cheaper and the battery lasts forever. (And it has a good screen, something that Lenovo and others can't figure out how to buy.)
And we never thought thin clients would catch on...
the form factor is huge. The clipboard metaphor is very valuable. However, the maximum dimension that most white coat pockets can accomodate is a 8.5x11 folded in half the fat way, narrow edge down.
I heard about some touch-sensitive e-ink-based devices that were supposed to come out in this form factor. I don't know about doctors, but I would buy one on launch day ;)
And we never thought thin clients would catch on...