M Ridzwan

Like me, you probably won’t like seeing the doctor. Not just because no one likes to be sick but because of high medical costs. Now there are ways to cut down on trips to the doctor.

Or at least it is possible to get your mobile device to lend some assistance in identifying what may be wrong with you. There are many diagnostics software available now.
One such excellent software is the Griffith’s 5-Minute Clinical Consult 2006.

This is an easy to use Palm application that delivers the latest clinical information in a proven quick-access format. It will prompt and confirm critical diagnostic information like your age, weight and symptoms before recommending a course of treatment, including the names of drugs and dosage that you will need to use. Sounds a lot like what doctor’s do!

This diagnostic software is also available to use in leisure reading mode. Topics are organized by topic name and cross-indexed to synonyms. Records are written and kept current by over 330 expert clinicians, 5-Minute Clinical Consult gives you on-the-spot facts for more than 1,000 medical and surgical conditions.

The 5-Minute Clinical Consult is available for download at www.handango.com for US$64.95 and a 30-day trial is available.

Another similar mobile diagnostic application is the Emergency Central 3.1 released by the same publishers. The software features a complete mobile solution for emergency medicine where time is of the essence. Disease, diagnosis, and treatment resources integrated with complete commentary on what you need to do in a patient’s specific situation.

Like the 5-minute Clinical Consult, the software will also prompt you for basic patient information and symptoms before presenting a comprehensive set of recommended instructions, including drug intake and procedures.

Emergency Medicine Manual may cost quite a bit more but it is bundled with diagnostic tools and a drug guide to form Emergency Central. But best of all this is one software that will keep up to date with the latest medical developments. Access to the Internet updating service known as MEDLINE is included to help you search the latest or create journal alerts for delivery to your PDA.

You can also access Emergency Central on the Web at your desktop or using an internet-enabled device like Treo or Blackberry. Emergency Central will then be updated when you synchronize your handheld or when you connect wirelessly. Emergency Central is available for download from the same site for a premium price of US$129.95. Ouch! I thought these guys were supposed to help us save on medical bills.

If you do get these applications, do remember that they cannot totally replace doctors. Don’t forget that if the applications make a wrong diagnosis, you won’t be able to sue. The software will come in handy for common minor diagnosis but when it’s something serious, please turn to a doctor. At least that one, you can sue.