The Medical iPhone - Medical Software and More…
The iPhone is a new convergent device recently announced by Apple Inc. The device will incorporate a mobile phone, an iPod, an email client, web browser and various other ‘widgets’ designed to help you manage your daily life.
Convergent devices like this are not new and have been used by doctors for many years now. I’ve been using a convergent phone-come-PDA for many years now and am currently the owner of a Windows Mobile i-Mate K-JAM.
What makes the iPhone special is that it seems to have caught the imagination of tech-savvy doctors in a meme similar to that created by the old Palm PDAs of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a slight hitch in the plan at the moment. According to some reports, the iPhone will be a ‘closed’ system and users will not be able to install 3rd party applications.
Does this mean no medical software? Well, it looks that way at the moment but there’s no technical reason why Apple can’t start working with the medical software companies to produce apps that will work on the iPhone. According to David Pogue, this isn’t going to happen, but there has been no official word on this yet.
Another alternative is to deliver the apps through the browser interface. These could be off-line or live via the phone’s data connection. As most medical software apps are really just e-Books, then this is certainly a viable option.
January 22nd, 2007 at 6:43 am
This is a cool gadget site… Apple really is competing to conquer the technology world today. Too bad apple’s iPhone will only be available here in the philippines next year. Anyway, and I also found this site the Widgets and Gadgets it also features the latest and hottest gadgets nowadays.
January 26th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Hi,
Great site. I was really excited about the prospect of the iPhone in a medical setting. I work for the West Australian Health Department and the use of PDA’s and other mobile technologies is on the increase over here.
I think the iPhone has the potential to be a popular tool for doctors. I guess we need to wait and see what happens with the whole support for third party software installation and also whether it will be locked to plans.
Still, the interface and overall look of the iPhone is just gorgeous and I would love to have one. I just can’t see myself signing up to a phone contract just yet!
January 27th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your comment. I have a feeling Apple will change their tune about allowing 3rd party apps but we’ll just have to wait and see!
Chris
February 2nd, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I love the idea but i will have to wait until i can get medical software on the device. programs such as epocrates essentials and isilo documents are very useful to me at the point of care. ofcourse, there is the possibility of getting the information online- but what will that cost me in battery life? also, i think the 8 gb max memory is a bit scimpy if i am to use it to replace my pda, ipod and cellphone…
just the same, the interface and screen potential makes me drool at the possibility of point of care applications- viewing patient information from hospital websites that allow access and even radiographic imaging. i think apple is insane if they don’t take this into serious consideration- the healthcare market is enormous and can contribute millions of dollars in revenue; not to mention, the need for electronic medical management is a must now and everyone is looking for methods to integrate medical management electronically. hopefully, if apple does not consider the medical field in its future development, someone else will. the technology the have comming is truly amazing!
February 18th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
As a physician eagerly waiting the release of the iPhone, I beleive every physician wanting this technology needs to post their feelings that they will not be buying an iPhone unless it supports ePocrates or similar software. No way can I use it in front of patients the way I do ePocrates now if I have to go through the net. The following is the iPhone discussion forum. I’ll bet someone at Apple reads this.
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1184
March 5th, 2007 at 1:37 am
Epocrates is the back bone of my PDA and makes all the difference when it comes to choosing a new phone. Right now, the Treo 650 will have to do although I’ve been a Mac used since Mac’s first hit the stores. I will just have to dream about the iphone until Apple makes it work for the many physicians across the country. Seems like a lot of iphones will not be purchased.
May 8th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Epocrates is a must for my pda and I am dissapointed that the iphone will not support third party software. It sounds like I am one of the many who will not be purchasing an iphone until it works out this huge kink!
June 14th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
I just sent ePocrates a note asking them if they can reformat their free web version to fit on an iPhone screen. It doesn’t sound like it would be difficult from a technical standpoint, although having WiFi access near the point of care would be key to avoid running up your data charges.
One workaround the no native apps limitation is to post personal web pages of important information and bookmark them. Copyright might be a problem, though.
June 26th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Latest word is that Apple will allow 3rd party applications to be developed, most likely in the web-browser format. That may bode well for medical professionals who are interested in owning the iPhone and desire medical applications to be installed. The hurdle is convincing those companies such as ePocrates and others to develop their software to run on the iPhone.
July 1st, 2007 at 11:28 am
I agree with the previous posts regarding epocrates and iphones. It is an essential tool for doctors and Apple has a golden opportunity to capture this lucrative market segment if only they can make this work. My husband keeps showing me his iphone, but I refuse to get one unless epocrates is on board!
July 5th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
If there is any way to create groundswell of Docs that want epocrates, to somehow influence Apple… it would be ideal. I have always used Macs, and my only reason for not getting the iphone is the lack of epocrates. Can this website or some other website somehow create a virtual petition?
July 6th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
To tell Apple directly that doctors want epocrates, go to the website
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
If large numbers do this, perhaps apple will reconsider.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
July 6th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Perhaps a grass roots campaign from health care providers could encourage Apple to provide Epocrates on the iphone. If they hear from large numbers, that might get their attention. Please send requests to
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
July 6th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
I think epocrates is already working to develop Web2 so that it can function with the iPhone
July 11th, 2007 at 12:33 am
I’m in medical school right now, actually in my internal medicine rotation, and the craze among med students is to buy a Treo because it runs ePocrates. If Apple allowed or even ushered this kind of third party medical software SOOOO many medical students across the country would buy this device INSTANTLY- our loan money would pay for it…
July 11th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I need point of care application that is instantaneous and reliable–I don’t have time to “surf the web” for info when planning a patient’s anesthetic. I’m also concerned that 8gb memory is too scanty–I want to reference billing/coding files from my Mac. With Epocrates, personal info, music, etc–I don’t think I can eliminate my pda, Ipod, and cell phone for the elegant Iphone just yet.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I’ve already created a “Get ePocrates On iPhone” petition! Please sign it!
Link to petition: http://www.geeknuz.com/nuz/2007/07/add-your-name-1.html
Thanks! Let’s get ePocrates on the iPhone!
August 1st, 2007 at 10:32 pm
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/news_iphone.htm
FYI unbound medicine has already developed applications for use with the iPhone. click on the link above for more info.
August 26th, 2007 at 11:06 am
unbound medicine & iphone
its pretty good, and its not slow even if you access it without wifi
take 2-3 secs to load when your on ATT alone
I got the drug program from skyscape, it is slow, takes a while to load up everytime you look up a drug, unbound is way faster and free, needless to say I got my money back. skyscape has 30 day money back thing
September 26th, 2007 at 11:18 am
I must be missing something here…
all your wishes can already be granted on countless other more capable devices that are already in the market, can be used with any network and can bought without the obligatory contract.
Try the Nokia N95, Samsung F700 or Sony Ericsson P1i.
They also have video abilities and high definition cameras (up to 5 megapixel) which should prove more than enough for dematology or wound care
October 18th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Looks like they will allow 3rd party software now!!
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I really really want iphone and pepid products (the ED suite is fabulous) but I dont want to have to buy a data package ($$$) to access it…anyone have any info?
October 25th, 2007 at 12:06 am
The Nokias and Sonys (Symbian OS) Do not run epocrates(yet)
October 25th, 2007 at 2:40 am
I just purchased an Iphone and I have started using dailymed.nlm.nih.gov for quick access to rx information since epocrates web site is too cumbersome. i would love to see epocrates become “iphone friendly”
October 30th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
checkout skyscape.com, they have programs for the iphone
November 24th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
CLINICIANS, STICK TO YOUR PALM (until non-web based 3rd party apps are allowed by Apple)!
As a mac fan, I bought the iPhone in September, based on Skyscape pompous announcement that their products are compatible with the iPhone. The (big) detail they omit to mention on their website is that it requires wi-fi access (as for most iPhone programs at the moment). Wi-fi is prohibited in our hospital and is way too slow anyways to access information on the fly (such as drug dosage, calculation of a creatinine clearance, etc).
The iPhone certainly looks very cool and you’re sure to impress the gallery every time you pull it out. However, if you are looking for an instrument that will assist you in daily patient care, stick to your palm pilot (or pocket PC if you are so inclined). I personnally left the iPhone at home during my week on call to use my 4 year old Sony Clie which was a thousand time more useful (although much less fashionable). After two months of trial, I finally decided to sell my iPhone to a non-medical colleague…
The problem at the moment is that Apple doesn’t allow developers to install programs that will run from the device. This will probably happen in the future but there is no way to tell when this will happen (6 months? 2 years? never?) All the “legal” 3rd party apps being developped for the iPhone are web-based, which means you need wi-fi access to run them. The iPhone certainly has fantastic potential as a medical decision-support tool (e.g. its ability to read pdf-based algorythms is way better than other pdas), but until these capabilities are put into the hands of 3rd party developers, this is going to remain a mere fancy phone for teenagers who want to walk around with the picture of their girlfriends in their pockets and listen to music on their way to school.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Good News!
Apple will release the SDK in February 2008 (just 3 months from now) that will allow third party applications to be produced on the iPhone! I am a physician and love my iPhone. Sure, right now web-based apps for medicine is not perfect but still works well. The device is powerful and gorgeous and will only get better with firmware updates and new third-party apps. Not every device will work well for everyone so try it out before you buy it if you can. I found this site and wrote this post on my iPhone.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:23 am
I think I’ll wait until 2009 or so, when developers will have had time to work with the SDK and port reliable versions of epocrates, MMDX, Inforetriever, etc. onto the iPhone. Hopefully there will also be a second gen iPhone out by that time as well.
December 6th, 2007 at 11:34 am
While we’re all waiting for on-board iPhone medical software, Unbound has release a free version of Medline for the WiFi/Edge iPhone browser. It is pretty slick:
Wireless/iPhone MEDLINE
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:13 am
Hi,
I think that we are waiting for a nonsense, Iphone?ok it looks good but a palm or pocket pc WM6 has too much more to offer. I´m Spanish doc and we use ppc and iphone isn’t faster, hasn’t good reader as isilo or pdf readers, medical suits as ER or Epocrates…and EDGE?have you heard about Hsdpa?…I think we need more than style
December 26th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
The site healthwebit.com has released a Clinical Lab Test reference application for the iPhone. It’s a web application that gives reference values and clinical significance of many lab tests in clinical chemistry, coagulation, hematology, therapeutic drug monitoring, and serology.
Link: http://healthwebit.com/labtests
January 24th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
This is interesting:
http://www.macpractice.com/mp/iphone/
February 6th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
GREAT NEWS! Just spoke to Epocrates about the iPhone. They directed me to this website on the iPhone Safari Browser:
http://m.epocrates.com/iphone
It works perfectly! You can search medications, interactions, and it has all the features of epocrates. It works just as quickly as my old palm pilot (now broken, and not going to be replaced!).
They also said they would be creating a better program once Apple unlocks the phone to them.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Has anyone used one of the ‘fake’ iphones, like the Cect? Will they work with epocrates?
March 6th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Hi Epocrates Supporters!
It was recently announced that Epocrates is one of a limited number of developers who have been working directly with Apple to make its clinical content available on the iPhone/iTouch. This will enable healthcare professionals to always have immediate access to vital clinical information wherever and whenever they need it, regardless of Internet connectivity.
In the meantime, you can currently access Epocrates free online drug reference at m.epocrates.com with an Internet or WiFi connection.
**If you have already installed Apple’s iPhone or iTouch January update, you can now add an Epocrates Online shortcut to your home screen. To do this visit m.epocrates.com, click on the + sign at the bottom of the page. In the menu that appears, touch “Add to home screen”. Enter a name for the icon, then touch “Add” in the upper right corner.
Best wishes,
The Epocrates Team
March 6th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
If you haven’t heard, Epocrates is soon to be on the iPhone. At today’s iPhone SDK event Apple hosted Epocrates, along with 4 other companies, to showcase products they are developing for the iPhone! Here’s the official Epocrates press release: http://www.geeknuz.com/nuz/2008/03/epocrates-press.html
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
When will Epocrates come out. I am thinking of getting the itouch, but I also need lots of medical software, so I am also confused in getting the palm TX. I use lots of programs and also books on my palm all the time.
Thank you
Dr. Roxana
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Hey,
I am reading your information about the iphone and not having the approriate technology to support the medical program. Would you be able to install one of the medical programs is an iphone could accept third party software?
April 21st, 2008 at 2:00 am
Get out of medicine all together. If in med school, become a plumber or electrician. At least you can control your decisions and be your own person. If not, you will suffer from businessmen who believe they understand medicine, or doctors who believe they understand business. Either way, you are making other people wealthy at the expense of your med school loan, intelligence, and your patients.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I am ready for the iphone, but if I can not use any medical sofware on it, forget it…I will keep my Treo for now
May 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Hey:
I recently got an IPHONE and started using the epocrates Iphone site, It is Horrible, many times will ask me to sign in then it will take me nowhere, or it is very slow to get the info, or the connection is not optimal especially in the hospital” where i mostly use the epocrates usually” and no response or connection.
it is frustrating,
My recommendation is if you are wanting to Buy an IPHONE and need to use the Epocrates software, or for that matter any medical software on your mobile phone, Wait for now until epocrates and Apple people decide to let us use the software on the Iphone.
Very frustrating,