Story on Time.com about doctors using iPads in the hospital

We all know that doctors (and medical students) love using iPads in the hospital setting. This story on Time.com is titled, "TIME’s Mobile Tech Issue: Better Care Delivered by iPad, M.D." It's a fairly short story but it demonstrates how students and attending physicians are using mobile devices to improve patient communication/education and to improve clinical workflow.

iPhone and iPad in medicine teaching and clinical practice: Medicine 2.0 #med2

I'm here at Medicine 2.0 and I'm attending a session titled, "iPhone and iPad in medicine and health sciences: experiences in teaching and clinical practice." Here I am at Stanford where medical students are using iPads in the classroom. The presenter was Rhoda Weiss-Lambrou, Professor of occupational therapy at the School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of medicine, Université de Montréal.

Mobile tools like the iPhone and iPad are being used by medical students and health care professionals. In particular, hospitals and adopting these mobile devices to improve communication, collaboration, or networking. Mobile learning is driving greater interaction and participation. In the rehabilitation setting, clinicians are using mobile features as therapeutic tools with patients.

During the presentation, the speaker spoke about useful online resources like Facebook, Dropbox, YouTube, SlideShare, Wikipedia, and others. Students in the health professions are using these Web 2.0 tools to enhance their educational experience and to share their information with other students.

Use of iPad and iPhone for VA employees gets green light

Author: Thuc Huynh, MD

Starting October, employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs will be using iPads and iPhones. The VA staff will be allowed to use the popular Apple devices in accessing encrypted e-mail messages and viewing certain patient data securely through a system like thin clients that will be linked to VA’s clinical information system. Beginning October 1st, iPad and iPhone will join BlackBerry smartphones as the only mobile devices officially approved by the VA.

Many technology experts see information security as the biggest challenge for the VA once it launches the Apple devices among its hospital employees and clinicians. At the start, employees are only allowed to use the iPad and iPhone for the purpose of accessing encrypted e-mail and viewing data of the patient. With proper security controls and appropriate encryption established in the future, the Apple devices may soon be used for storing patient information, says VA CIO Roger Baker.

Get the Sermo mobile app for iPhone

Ever wish you could have a colleague’s opinion on a tough case, unusual rash, EKG, or Xray finding? Now you can on Sermo - the largest online physician-only network.

Created in 2006 by physicians, for physicians, Sermo is the largest online physician network and the only real-time medicine™ platform. Sermo membership is exclusive to US physicians. Sermo is always FREE, private and secure.

Join over 125,000 US physician members across 68 specialties and all 50 states to:

* iConsult –With 3 touches on your iPhone, you can instantly share clinical images and ask questions to capture feedback and advice from colleagues across the United States.
* Discussions - Share insights and expertise on clinical cases, practice management, healthcare policy, and more.
* Popular Posts – Follow discussions around the hottest topics in American healthcare and your specialty.
* Followed Posts – Easily locate and read the newest comments on your favorite conversations.

**100,000 discussions and 2 million comments to date and counting. Thousands of clinical cases solved on Sermo**

Learn more about the Sermo mobile app here.

Genentech’s BioOncology app (iPhone and iPad)

Genentech’s BioOncology iPad application provides all health care professionals with free access to the latest oncology news, resources and innovation.

Key features include:
-Research: Learn more about Genentech’s innovative compounds designed to target cancer through specific molecular processes
-Clinical Trials: Find Genentech and non-Genentech clinical trials based on tumor type, and access details including de¬sign summary, outcome measures and protocol entry criteria
-News: Read up-to-date oncology news from Reuters
-Useful Links: Access associations & societies, medical databases, and Genentech support services
-Conferences: Search for popular oncology-related U.S. and international conferences
-Grants, Contributions, and Fellowships: Link to a wide range of Genentech-sponsored opportunities for organizations as well as individuals
-Polls: Participate in oncology-related polls and view live results

Learn more here.

ResolutionMD Mobile featured on CNN

There's a feature story on CNN titled, "Mobile app helps doctors diagnose strokes."

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• A smartphone app allows specialists to accurately diagnose a stroke, a study says
• Doctors reach the same diagnosis using phone as when on a terminal in 94% of trials
• Experts have been skeptical about the utility of using such a small screen
• The FDA is currently deliberating on whether to approve the app for U.S. use

Read the full story here.

iPhones, iPads and HIPAA Compliance: A How To Guide

iPhones, iPads and HIPAA Compliance: A How To Guide

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
2:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time
Complimentary Webinar

Devices like the iPhone and iPad are becoming incredibly popular with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

But whether they are hospital issued -- or owned by the worker -- IT must ensure that Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) that is stored, accessed, transmitted or received by a mobile device is secured and protected in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.

This Webinar will focus on today's best practices for:

1. Choosing a HIPAA compliant mobile device platform
2. Instituting an IT mobility management framework
3. Empowering healthcare IT to proactively identify and resolve HIPAA violations & provide proof of compliance

Presenters: Dan Dearing; Group Director, Mobile Strategies; BoxTone
Pricing: Complimentary! There is no cost to attend this webinar.

75% of U.S. physicians own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod

75% of U.S. Physicians Own Some Form of Apple Device According to New Manhattan Research Study

New Taking the Pulse® U.S. v11.0 study of physician digital trends indicates iPhone and iPad driving steep mobile device adoption in the U.S. physician market

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2011 - 75% of U.S. physicians own some form of Apple device, such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod, according to the new Taking the Pulse® U.S. v11.0 study from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research. This year's study of physician digital adoption trends includes a focus on the iPad and other tablets, professional activities across multiple screens, electronic health records and online patient-physician communication.

The iPhone surged to dominate the physician smartphone market in 2011 as the number one smartphone platform used by physicians in the U.S. “Despite the success of the Android platform in the overall consumer market, physicians are flocking to the iPhone as their smartphone of choice,” said Meredith Ressi, president of Manhattan Research. Smartphone penetration among physicians exceeded Manhattan Research analysts' previous forecasts to reach 81% this year.

Apple releases the iOS 4.3 update for certain devices

I'm downloading iOS 4.3 now for my iPad. Here's what you'll get:

• Personal Hotspot*
Share iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5 devices (combination of up to 3 Wi-Fi, 3 Bluetooth, and 1 USB)
• iTunes Home Sharing
Play music, movies and TV shows from a shared iTunes library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)
• New AirPlay features**
Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera Roll album, iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps and websites on Apple TV
Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using transitions available on Apple TV
• Faster Safari performance with Apple Nitro JavaScript engine
• HD video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter***
View 720p HD videos from Videos app, iPod app, Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote, and enabled third-party apps on an HDMI display
• Ping features
Push notifications for comments and follow requests
Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing screen
Parental controls
• New Settings
Messages setting for number of times to repeat an alert
iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute audio notifications and sound effects
Single tap conference call dialing with a pause to send a passcode
• Bug fixes
*Requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan
**Requires Apple TV (2nd generation) running software version 4.2 or later
***iPhone 4, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation)

FDA clears first diagnostic radiology application for mobile devices

Provides wireless access to medical images for iPhone, iPad users

A new mobile radiology application cleared today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow physicians to view medical images on the iPhone and iPad manufactured by Apple Inc.

The application is the first cleared by the FDA for viewing images and making medical diagnoses based on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine technology, such as positron emission tomography (PET). It is not intended to replace full workstations and is indicated for use only when there is no access to a workstation.

“This important mobile technology provides physicians with the ability to immediately view images and make diagnoses without having to be back at the workstation or wait for film,” said William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., chief scientist and deputy director for science in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Using my Droid X as a 3G Mobile Hotspot for my iPad

Since I'm on the Verizon Network, I got an iPad that only has Wi-Fi access. Fortunately, I can use my Motorola Droid X as a 3G Mobile Hotspot so that I can get online with my iPad when I'm out and about. It's a great feature and it allows me to use my iPad without a separate 3G hotspot like the MiFi 2200 Mobile Hotspot.

I'll probably need to invest in an extended battery for my Droid X if I plan to use it as a 3G Mobile Hotspot for extended periods of time. Tethering via Wi-Fi will drain your battery quickly!

To use your Droid X as a 3G Mobile Hotspot, click on the green icon that says "3G Mobile Hotspot" and make sure that you have this feature enabled on your service plan.  It's an extra $20/month.

Future smartphones: dual-core processors, 4G, and much more

Soon, smartphones like the Droid X or iPhone 4 will seem really obsolete. Here are my predictions regarding smartphone features that will be found on most smartphones by the end of 2011:

• 4G capability (HTC won't be the only one producing 4G smartphones)
• Dual-core processor (my Droid X running a 1 GHz is very fast, but imagine what you could do with a dual-core processor!)
• Superior voice recognition and voice command (who needs a keyboard?)
• Dual cameras on the front and the back (this will become a standard feature soon)
• More cloud computing features and capabilities (so get ready to use Google Docs on a regular basis)

What else?

• 3D display? (I don't think so)
• Superior battery life? (probably not much better than current Lithium Ion batteries)
• Smaller vs. larger? (we'll probably have more options for smaller and larger devices)
• Will it replace my PC? (not quite yet, but we're getting closer each year)
• More integration with the car (as a GPS, as an Internet radio, and as digital concierge)

I'm happy with my current Droid X and I don't think I'll be upgrading to a new smartphone in 2011. However, I predict that I'll either get an iPad 2 or some other slate tablet (probably running Android) in 2011. 

First Consult for iPhone

Are you looking for a medical app for your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad? First Consult is a commercial evidence-based clinical decision support system designed for physicians at the point of care and you can get this app for your mobile device. Here's a brief description about this medical app:

Do you need evidence-based answers to clinical questions at the point of care? Have you been unable to get answers because you did not have online computer access or a Wi-Fi/3G data connection at the time? First Consult is your solution. Access this app with your First Consult subscription. If you don’t have a subscription, you can sign up for a free trial!

For clinician use at the point of care, this is the ideal resource for quickly answering questions related to screening, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the majority of the medical conditions responsible for office visits and inpatient admissions.

First Consult’s trusted answers can now be stored on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and are available anytime, anywhere. A data connection is required for the initial content download and content updates, but is not required to use the App itself.

Speech Therapy on your mobile device

Have you heard of Smarty Ears? Barbara Fernandes, a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist is the founder and director of Smarty Ears, LLC. They offer a variety of speech therapy iPhone apps (they also work on the iPad). Here's information about the company:

At Smarty Ears we believe technology can help parents and speech therapists improve the communication skills of children with speech and language difficulties. Our company designs and publishes apps for improving communication skills in all areas (fluency, articulation, language, etc). Our main goal is to use technology to improve expressive communication abilities, regardless of native language. Smarty Ears is committed to individuals from all around the world, and we will make sure all of our apps are available in as many languages as possible because we are aware that the majority of materials currently available are in English.

Visit: http://smartyearsapps.com/

The Oncologist App (for Apple iPhone, iPod touch, iPad)

Access The Oncologist App from your mobile device! This free app allows you to read or listen to the current issue and watch video lectures on the go.

Available for free, The Oncologist App and eJournal

Learn more here:
http://theoncologistcommunity.com/multi-media/the-oncologist-app

Interesting stats about the "mobile device explosion"

I'm borrowing this from a presentation developed by Sesh Kumar, CEO or Emantras Inc.

• “By the end of 2013 more users will access the internet on mobile devices than on desktops.” - Morgan Stanley
• “14.7 million smartphones were purchased in the U.S. last quarter.” - Canalys
• “120 million devices running iOS have been sold so far.” - Apple Keynote 2010
• “New smartphone subscribers choosing Google phones accounted for 27 percent of U.S. smartphone sales” - Nielsen Company
• “Sale of the iPad and other tablets will hit 19.4 million units in 2010” - Gartner
•  6.5 billion downloads have been recorded on the App Store - 200 per second.

These are exciting times, aren't they? We're certainly living in the mobile technology revolution!

Proloquo2Go iPad App vs. Decicated AAC (speech assistance) Devices

This is a guest post by Britney Baker

Proloquo2Go iPad App vs. Decicated AAC (speech assistance) Devices

In today's smartphone era, apps exist for almost every purpose imaginable. Today, I decided to explore how well apps stack up to dedicated devices that serve the same purpose.

AAC Devices- Proloquo2Go

AAC or Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices are devices that help people with communication or speech impediments effectively communicate with others. Most modern devices are tablet or PDA shaped, so wouldn't the iPhone or iPad be an effective alternative?
Proloquo2Go, an app designed for Apple's iDevices, appears to fill that niche. Proloquo2Go offers the same features of any AAC device, but on a platform people are more familiar with. For a self-conscious impaired teenager or young adult, the iPad or iPhone choice might be appealing in that it isn't anything an ordinary person wouldn't carry. One potential problem is the fact that Proloquo2Go is relatively new and not supported by any numbers or results. Despite lack of scientific results, professionals have pointed out that the organization of Proloquo2Go's extensive vocabulary (over 7000 words) is innovative and intuitive compared to other assistive communication vocabularies.

How do you implement the iPad into your medical practice?

Don't miss this exciting webinar titled, "Medicine and the iPad: Lessons from an Early Adapter."

Thursday, October 28, 2010 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

Early iPad adapter, and Oncology Net Guide advisory board member, Don Dizon, MD, FACP, will review the benefits of using the iPad and explore apps that health care professionals might find useful.

Dizon will also explain how he has implemented the iPad into his medical practice; initially planning to use the iPad for personal use, the physician now uses it 80% of the time for professional purposes.

Dr. Dizon is the Director of Medical Oncology, Integrative Care, and Co-Director of the Center for Sexuality, Intimacy and Fertility at the Program in Women's Oncology at Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island. His practice is tailored to breast and gynecologic malignancies, and he remains active in clinical research through the Gynecologic Oncology Group and Brown University Oncology Group. He is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Associate Professor of Medicine at Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Register here.

HCPLive on your iPhone and iPad

Take trusted content from the HCPLive Network along with you on your iPad and iPhone.

iPad

• MD Magazine
• Pharmacy Times

iPhone

• HCPLive To Go
• ONCLive To Go
• Pharmacy Times CPE

Schwartz's Principles of Surgery Available for iPhone

Here's an e-mail I got from my friends at the USBMIS Development Team:

We are pleased to announce the release of Schwartz's Manual of Surgery for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Schwartz's Manual of Surgery has become the resource of choice for both practicing physicians, residents, and even surgical clerkship students who are interested in a comprehensive, yet concise on-the-job manual detailing the most current practices and trends.

This edition reflects the most extensive revisions ever with a greater focus on surgical techniques and a superb array of new visuals including more tables, charts, highlighted topics throughout. New to this edition: staging tables for cancer, anesthesia guidance, pre-and-postoperative management of the surgical patient, and much more.

Click here to view it on iTunes