How Useful Are Point-of-Contact Apps?

A healthcare revolution. On its website, Apple is promoting the new iPad as 'transforming healthcare.' But is this true? Judging by the point-of-contact medical apps that Apple features in its App Store, I'd say so.  

Within the Appstore, there are a multitude of professional healthcare apps - the most intriguing to me being the point-of-contact apps. "With instant-on power and a full-day battery, iPad gives doctors the power to provide faster, better care anywhere. Apps on iPad connect securely to electronic health records, manage paperless prescriptions, and enhance patient interactions with visual examples and explanations," says Apple. That italicized bit is the important part.

First, let me explain point-of-contact (POC), if the term is not clear.  POC refers to direct interaction between the doctor and the patient for medical explanations, directions for medications, and so on. 

Apps can help patients at the POC by reinforcing their learning with visual aids. Consider the drawMD series of apps pictured to the left. With the app, doctors can show patients labeled photos as they explain issues, directions, and so on. The images can even be emailed so patients can refer to them later, reducing the chance they'll forget important information.

This POC example is only one possibility of which there are many. Apple showcases several different categories of programs, such as imaging apps for displaying X-Rays, EMR & Patient Monitoring apps to handle medical records, Education apps to keep professionals abreast of new research, and Reference apps for doctors to look up patient symptoms and treatments. 

Clearly, the iPad and other tablets will shape the ways in which doctors interact with patients from now on. Physicians will be able to carry a replacement for heavy books and radiological equipment in a one pound portable device, giving them greater flexibility and patient care quality.