In the Pocket PC magazine Buyer's Guide 2005, I selected the Editor's Choice Best Healthcare Software 2004 award winners for healthcare solutions offered for Windows Mobile devices. This article gives my reasons for selecting particular products for this recognition.
Touchworks and TouchScript (http://www.allscripts.com): Allscripts healthcare Solutions offers an incredible Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and e-prescribing (TouchScript.NET) solution. (See my review at http://www.smartphonemag.com/_archives/sep01/eHealthcare.asp.): TouchWorks has been a winner of many healthcare industry awards, including the Microsoft Healthcare User Group (MSHUG) annual award. They offer one of the most complete packages in the industry. They've maintained a first-class solution in the face of the "dot com" stock market collapse and the demise of nearly every other eRx company. Allscripts has been a true survivor and a consistent winner.
Epocrates (http://www.epocrates.com): The Epocrates drug reference has been available for Palm OS devices for a long time. In fact, many physicians bought Palm devices just so they could use it. Now Epocrates offers their products for the Pocket PC. (See complete review in this issue.)
IQmark Diagnostic PDA (http://www.midmark.com): Midmark offers a portable ECG unit and office Spriometry that uses a Pocket PC as part of the package. They have bargain-priced each module at far less than other comparable equipment. Midmark has also established a reputation for reliability and excellent support. To provide such a tool on the Pocket PC is truly a feat of engineering genius.
Mobile Merck Medicus (http://www.merckmedicus.com): Mobile Merck Medicus from Merck is one of the newest entrants into the mobile healthcare world, and when it was introduced it instantly became one of my favorite mobile healthcare tools. The product includes medical journals, the complete Merck Manual, and the "Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests, 4e," and all at no cost to the user. Not only is it free, but it includes no advertising or marketing bias. It is supported by educational grants from Merck Pharmaceuticals. This suite of programs is customized for each individual physician user. This is an astounding software solution that keeps me up to date with my latest journals. It's also a great reference! No doc should have a Pocket PC without Mobile Merck Medicus on board.
Fig.1: Mobile Merck Medicus gives access to a wealth of medical information.
Mobile PDR (http://www.pdr.net): The Mobile PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) from Thomson Healthcare is another free software title for the Pocket PC (and Palm OS devices). I commend Thomson Healthcare for bringing the "gold standard" drug reference guide to mobile devices. (Note: If all you need is a PDR, this is a great product. If you need a PDR with specialty-specific information and text links, I recommend the Skyscape PDR.)
ObGynPocketPro (http://www.obtechcorp.com): This program was developed by a full-time practicing Ob-Gyn. I have found it invaluable. It even works in landscape mode on my Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition devices, indicating to me that ObTechs is keeping their software up to date (see complete review in this issue).
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