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Post details: iDream of iPhone

iDream of iPhone

June 20th, 2008

by Tony Chen

I don't know about you, but I'm drooling over the new iPhone. I'm not a big gadget guy, nor am I one of those Mac enthusiasts. But I am someone that loves great functionality packed into great design, and this thing is the one gadget that I feel like is made "just for me."

This also got me thinking. What applications will the iPhone have for healthcare? Especially now since Apple opened up the floodgates for developers to create new apps. Here's 10 being talked about right now.

For Physicians
- Integrate all your other beepers/phones/PDAs, etc?
- Access medical files, charts, and mini-versions of clinical decision support systems?
- Download comprehensive drug information from drugs.com
- Use the camera to take pictures to send to specialists?
- See heart imaging with this software.
- refresh your CMEs or pick up medically-related videos/media? Read MEDLINE journals.
- Make the X-ray light box obselete?

For Consumers
- People with diabetes, Download your blood glucose levels right from the attachment.
- Track fitness? I've previously written about a wellness phone being tested in Japan
- Interface with your medical record. Looks like Life Record does this already. And I'd be surprised if someone isn't working on an interface between Google Health and the iPhone.
- Reduce anxiety/pain for kids during hospital stays?

Honestly, I probably could have made the same statements about many of the smartphones on the market today. But the iPhone just looks so darn nice, too. And the processing power is a plus.

What do you think will be the greatest healthcare use of the iPhone?

7 comments

Comments:

Comment from: Dlmrahn [Visitor]

I am exactly where you are with the Iphone. Can't wait for it to come out now that it has Microsoft Exchange.

I like your ideas on how to apply the phone but there is a key application that I think you should consider. GPS / wifi. Our IT staff is working on the ability for physicians and staff to use the device as a patient tracking device.

With the price drop, we may use the phone to integrate patient information and give surgical patients a phone with admission info, directions, etc. Its a reach but I think doable with the SKD release.

06/21/08 @ 17:48

Comment from: Onehealthpro [Visitor] · http://www.Onehealthpro.typepad.com

If all of these applications happen as you describe, there will be no need for anyone to visit a physician in the United States. We can dial up an expert anywhere in the world.
Onehealthpro

06/23/08 @ 11:30

Comment from: Quick Medical [Visitor] · http://www.quickmedical.com

I want an iPod as well (who doesn't!) but this device, nor any other, can replace the face-to-face patient/doctor relationship. That being said, it can, and most likely will, grow to be a hugely valuable tool for tracking records, prescriptions, charts, etc. Times they are a changing...

06/23/08 @ 17:33

Comment from: marc-paul lee [Visitor]

did you see today's freakonomics column? they are thinking along the same lines.

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/after-the-iphone-the-blood-sugar-meter/

06/26/08 @ 11:03

Comment from: Brent Thompson [Visitor] · http://healthcarepod.blogspot.com/

I've started a blog to try and keep track of medical iPhone applications called Healthcare iPod. I doesn't look like we'll be getting much news until applications are actually available on the App Store.

06/28/08 @ 12:29

Comment from: Doctor Fise [Visitor] · http://www.prweb.com/releases/medical-billing/charge-capture/prweb1091724.htm

BlackBerry is better, look what I can do with mine with this great pmdsoft.com software

07/10/08 @ 15:04

Comment from: B Helgerson [Visitor]

Has anyone's hospital allowed them to connect to the network to receive email, etc. We're battling with "security" on the device and haven't seen the approval just yet. Would be curious who is supporting it.

Thanks!

08/10/08 @ 14:37

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iDream of iPhone

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