[datajunkette]

Has anyone used the Unbound nursing central suite for the Iphone? I love my iphone and I don't want to buy a separate PDA for nursing school unless I absolutely need to. Any information is greatly appreciated!

[BSUCraig]

I haven't used any of the programs for the Iphone but with the recent release by apple of the iphone and touch SDK (Software Development Kit) there will be many new programs released for the iphone and the touch. The new site for third party applications is supposed to be up in June and it will be part of iTunes. I would keep an eye on this website: http://healthcarepod.blogspot.com/ to keep up to date with releases and changes to software for the iphone and touch. I haven't bought a PDA yet but some of my instructors are getting touches in anticipation of the new software coming out for nurses. I plan on getting one before the fall semester starts to use at clinicals.

[datajunkette]

Thanks for the information. Of all the research I have done, I never came across that website. Hopefully we will have medical applications for the Iphone before school starts in August.

[datajunkette]

Zeuspc,

Thanks for the information. I will check out that website too.

-Data

[Fermin Hernandez]

With the release of the beta SDKs, the iPhone and iPod touch are looking hot hot hot.

Until the medical apps are usable without internet connectivity, I would hold off.

Currently, Skyscape is only available through their online web browser via iPhone/iPod Touch I believe. I expect this to change within the year now that 3rd party development is open.

The units have the raw power, great touch tech, and a decent screen. As an additional bonus, they are fun when are not working as well. I wish the screen was 4 inches instead of 3.5 though.

[fragino]

A couple of things about using your iPhone for clinicals.

Will the facilities that you will be doing your clinicals in:

- allow you to carry a cell phone around with you, even if you have the ability to turn the phone feature off?

- allow you to carry a device with a camera in it because of privacy issues?

When you graduate, will the facility you work in allow you to carry such devices with you?

Unbound Medicine comes with "Nursing Central" that allows you to have internet access to the publications that you are buying. Unfortunately it is only for a year and you will basically have to buy all your pubs all over again (with a 20% discount) in order to continue to have the access.

I don't quite understand what Fermin meant in the statement " Until the medical apps are usable without internet connectivity, I would hold off." because the apps are all useful offline, whether bought from Unbound or Skyscape.

The two pubs that I have found very useful the past two years are Tabers Medical Encyclopedia and Davis Drug Guide. If you buy it from Skyscape it comes with the desktop version for free. Very useful when doing your writeups and you have it throughout your program without having to renew it a year later.

[datajunkette]

I will check with the school when we have orientation in August. You brought up some very good points regarding the use of phones with camera's.

I believe what the other poster meant about "holding off" on the iphone is that Apple opened up software development for third party applications for the iphone, so eventually there may be medical software for the Iphone without having to connect online. This way the info would be stored on the phone and we wouldn't need an internet connection.

[nursecrickett]

Has anyone actually "used" this on the iphone??

I'm wondering what the response time is for the app to open since you need online connectivity.

I'm trying to decide if I should leave Verizon for the iphone....

Crickett

[Fermin Hernandez]

From skyscape support:

Q: Are your products compatible with iPhone and iPod devices?


A: Yes, we do have programs compatible with these devices, please check the System Requirements/Platforms for the program you are interested in to ensure it is compatible. Please note that programs on the iPhone/iPod are accessed over a WIFI connection and are NOT installed on the device.



However, this is changing.



If you want a sneak peak at what epocrates is brewing, check out this link and watch the video of the new iphone/ipod touch app (not released yet). The new app will not require an online connection to function. It looks sweet. I expect skyscape to follow now that the SDK is out.

One more clarification. The iPod Touch is an iPhone without the phone or camera and should be ok for hospital use. In fact, I just purchased one online. I'll give my impressions this weekend.




http://www.epocrates.com/iphone/comp...FQm6PAodw06eGQ

[BrentT]

There aren't any applications available for the iPhone or iPod Touch that reside on the device like they do with a Palm device. All that will change on July 11. On that date the Apple App Store will begin to sell applications. I am using my blog to keep track of these applications as they become available.

I have spoken with four major publishers of Palm medical reference applications and EVERY ONE said they are developing iPhone/iPod Touch versions. Most will not be available until the fall of 2008.

I will be recommending that my incoming nursing students buy an iPod Touch (or an iPhone if they want an AT&T cell phone) for their clinical references.