In response to a blog note about iPhone ecosystems (see: The iPhone Effect: Smartphones and Their App Ecosystems Have Changed Everything), a reader, Christopher Metts, asked the following question as a comment: If [you] wanted to create an app for a practicing pathologist, what do you think it should do?
It's an interesting question and, for me, the answer seems to be obvious. However, I need to qualify my answer. First, it will encompass all smart phones and not just the iPhone as well as tablets such as the iPad. Secondly. my response will include two broad functions rather than specific app products. Various apps with these functionalities do exist but I don't want to single out any of them. The two functional categories that come to mind for smartphone/tablets that will be very important for pathologists are the following: (1) display of LIS, RIS, PACS, and EMR patient data; and (2) display of diagnostic-quality digital pathology images.
In order to to fulfill the role of an integrated diagnostician, the "IT-enabled" pathologist of the near future will need ready access, 7X24, to all relevant clinical patient data as well as to all diagnostic data including numerical/text results and all pathology/radiology images (see: Revisiting Integrated Diagnostics and the Integrated Diagnostic Report; Diagnostic Delay Time (DDT) and Integrated Diagnostics; Siemens' Pursuit of an Integrated Diagnostics Portfolio). When working in his or her office, such access will be provided by a dashboard array with multiple monitors (see: Using RSS to Create a Digital Dashboard for Lab Clients; Revisiting Integrated Diagnostics and the Integrated Diagnostic Report; Details about the "Reverse EMR Feed" to Pathology and Lab Medicine).
Outside of the office, the pathologist will require similar mobile access. This will be supplied by a tablet computer within easy reach and loaded with various apps that enable access to all necessary clinical and diagnostic information. This will shorten the diagnostic delay time and enhance the quality of service. I understand that the use of a tablet computer is only roughly similar to a large monitor but it will be good enough to get the job done under the circumstances.
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