Hockeyref:

You may have seen this already. But though this may sound interesting to you:
http://www.wacom.com/graphire/index.cfm

This will allow patients to sign at front desk, the only issue I see is the screen is turned to staff and patients are standing and signing on the other side. If you keep in exam rooms, you end up buying 1 for each room.

I heard some doctors are using this. My 0.02$ worth.

Regards.