Question

1. Is this scenario a realistic use of the technology? Why or why not?

2. What are the potential security and privacy issues that we might anticipate from this scenario?

3. What other ways can the iPad be used in the professional life of this physician?

Case Study: The iPhysician

A physician uses an iPad to connect to his EHR while seeing patients in the exam room. This same platform displays digital x-rays and other images that are useful for patient education. It’s lightweight with long battery life, qualities missing in other mobile electronic devices he has tried. He can easily access medical apps like Epocrates for simple drug related questions, the 5 Minute Clinical Consultant for straight forward issues and UpToDate or DynaMed for more complex medical questions. He dictates into his iPad using voice recognition software. His mobile device helps display anatomical drawings for patients so they better understand e.g. coronary artery disease. He is able to use a digital camera feature to record a large skin nevus he intends to follow closely.

He relies on this same technology when he makes hospital rounds, except now he uses software such as Hospital Rounds to keep track of the patients he sees and intends to bill. Because he is a hospital attending he is credentialed to have access to the hospital EHR and its information systems that now includes real time monitoring of vital signs, EKGs, O2 sats, etc. While making rounds an outpatient calls him to discuss an acute problem and he is able to access office charts on his iPad because his EHR is webbased.

That evening when he returns home he reviews a digital medical newsletter and the latest online issue of the New England Journal of Medicine on his tablet. He receives an email from a very concerned patient and decides to have a virtual visit with the patient using MedFusion and his tablet. After a round of Angry Birds, the iPad is set up to charge and he heads to bed.

Answer 1

Answer: Technology has made things easier for everyone. The scenario mentioned here is the realistic use of technology as it made work easy for the people. In the medical field the use of technology contributes a lot. Here the physician was able to access and fetch the information through the iPad and saves his time.

There were potential security threats of privacy issues and safety of the patients as connecting the iPad with the EHR lead to the misuse of the patients information.

Physicians can use iPad for accessing the medication and conversation with the Patient. Physician can also make video calling to the patient who can directly connected to him and can get their medication.