Apple Hand-held Technology Strengthens Care

Posted by BlueApoc in Tuesday, February 2nd 2010

Justin Harper looked at his Apple iPod touch and saw a world of possibility. This third-year OSU medical student helped launch a program that now benefits all medical students at The College of Medicine, the only college currently giving the iPod touch to all its students for educational purposes.
Now, medical students can carry the equivalent of heavy textbooks and medical references in their lab coat pockets. The iPod touch has the potential to positively impact both medical education and the care provided to patients at the bedside, says Catherine Lucey, MD, vice dean for education. The personal digital assistant puts a wealth of information at the fingertips of our students. They can study when they want and where they want. If they are seeing a patient and a question arises, they can find the answer instantly, to share with them.
This hand-held technology can provide graphics, which allow students to refer to resources such as high quality images of each organ and nerve in the body. They can review images from multiple angles, access videos of medical treatments or surgical procedures, and request a review quiz at any time.
Over the next two years, Ohio State medical students will receive a standard iPod touch, equipped with specific medical software programs planned by the OSU College of Medicine.