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el·e·ga·tion: being highly effective, yet simple  
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April 21, 2009

Google Sync for iPhone Calendar, vs NuevaSync

... NOTE: BEFORE THE SYNC, MAKE SURE TO BACK UP YOUR CONTACTS ...

It may be a bit late, but I'm jumping on the bandwagon.  Bottom line -- I cut out the middle man and went directly to Google Sync for the iPhone Calendar .

I'm making the transition from the fast -- pocket paper calendar to Google Calendar.  The problem is that I have the old iPhone , with the edge network, and the Web Application is just not fast enough for me.

Google Sync for the iPhone works well and only took about 5 minutes to set up.

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I have seen NuevaSync work well with my coworkers, and it has some functionality that Google Sync does not.  NuevaSync connects your iPhone native calendar to gcal through a 3rd party, and it allows for >5 Calendar support.  Yeraze blogs about it here:

Breakdown
Feature NuevaSync GoogleSync
Bidirectional sync Y Y
Calendar Support Y Y
Contact Support Y Y
Average download time 10-15min <5min
Average upload time <1min <1min
Support for “other” phone #’s Y N
Push Mail N N

Filed under  //   calendar   google   google sync   gtd   iphone   nuevasync   yeraze blog  

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April 19, 2009

GTD: Google Tasks for iPhone

Google Tasks for iGoogle and Gmail for the past 2 weeks has worked pretty well.  It is easily accessible from both hospitals where I spend most of my time at work.  The easy to use and quick list-maker has passed the usability test --so far.

The next step is to try it out on the iPhone .  I found the following links helpful:

Google Operating System Unofficial Blog: 

Gmail Blog explains that the most important competitor for Google Tasks is paper (I remember a similar statement regarding Google Calendar). "Among the world's leading productivity tools is an advanced technology known as paper. Many of the world's top corporations and most active internet users have adopted paper as a method of organizing their daily lives. (...) When we set out to build Tasks (now in Gmail Labs), one of our goals was to improve upon paper. With the version of Tasks in Gmail, we focused on making editing very fast and simple -- as close to paper as we could."

Lifehacker: 

Google has just announced a new way to manage your Gmail Tasks from your mobile device or your iGoogle homepage.

First, you'll want to have enabled the new Tasks feature in Gmail Labs. Then, from your iPhone or other mobile device, just navigate tohttp://gmail.com/tasks to view, add, edit, or complete your tasks.

If you want to add the Tasks gadget to iGoogle, just point your browserhere. It's nice to see Gmail Labs' simple new Tasks tool ramping up functionality, but it'd be even more exciting to see Google turn this thing into a proper product. 

theAppleBlog 
After playing with the new web app for a little while, I can say that it’s an impressive offering from the folks at Google. The interface is visually appealing, and not too flashy. It works so well you almost forget you’re using a web app at all, with smooth transitions back and forth between screens, and easy to hit checkboxes for marking tasks complete or incomplete. You can create multiple lists to keep track of your tasks, and add Notes to any individual item on your lists. And it comes complete with a nice icon, should you decide to add a bookmark to your home screen.

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Weaknesses:
  • Web-based on the iPhone rather than an App
  • I have "fat fingered" many of the buttons so far -- hitting the wrong button ie, "new task" when I mean "all lists"
  • Having to log-in to google multiple times -- if it were an app the login should be saved
Strengths:
  • Speed: it is light-weight
  • Ease-of-use: overall intuitive user-interface
  • Features: adding links to the tasks, as well as more detailed notes and due dates is very useful, something not easily done on paper lists.

Filed under  //   apple   gmail   google   google tasks   gtd   iphone   iphone photo   lists   todo  

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August 3, 2008

iPhone update annoyance.

Not elegant. I've been battling this all AM.



Sent from my iPhone

Filed under  //   inefficient   iphone   iphone photo  

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July 28, 2008

Burger pop.





Sent from my iPhone

Filed under  //   2008   burger pop   iphone   iphone photo   new york city  

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July 27, 2008

Medical iPhone Accessory Ideas

A quick brainstorm for iPhone hardware for medical purposes include:

1.  Portable EKG/telemetry
      - similar to this device, just attach the the end of your iphone and press near the PMI.
      - or with an attachment with multiple leads looking like spaghetti
      - better yet, wireless ekg leads with bluetooth connection
    
2.  Ultrasound
      - portable, for quick imaging

3.  Blood Pressure
      - cuff connection to iphone

4.  Pulse-ox
     - check the O2 saturation quickly

5.  48 Hr Holter Monitor / Event Recorder
      - more for the patient with an iPhone, could email the doctor results of the heart's electrical activity.
   

6.  Glucometer
      - again for the patient, but also a quick diabetic office visit or for screening.

7.  Pedometer
      - actually already available via software.


They could be helpful in the ambulatory setting, say small, but tech savvy private practice.

Of course one would need software that would record & make email-able files to be reviewed and saved in the patient's chart.  Would be nice if it could all fit in the old doctor's bag.

Filed under  //   design   efficiency   informatics   iphone  

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July 25, 2008

ePocrates for iPhone (medical app) critique

Overall I have been impressed with ePocrates for the iPhone.  It is an application I have been waiting for for some time.

However three annoyances have popped up:

1.  It takes a few taps to get to the app in the first place (as it does for any application on the iPhone).
      - A shortcut, or hotkey to go right to ePocrates would be great 

2.  The program takes 5 to 10 seconds to load before I can tap on the blank query spot to type in my drug name.
     -  The default load when loading ePocrates should already be with the keypad pulled up, waiting for you to enter the drug name.
     -  My colleagues using the old PDA are able to load drug info much faster than me.

3.  I do not get reception for my cell phone in the place where I see many of my new patients:  The emergency department.
     - The hospital should give free, fast, and unlimited wifi access to its employees.

Filed under  //   design   efficiency   ePocrates   iphone   medical   Medicine  

Comments [1]

July 20, 2008

Keeping up with the new iPhone apps

Via pinchmedia, one can quckly see the new iphone apps, separated into new apps, free apps, and recently updated applications.

I'm going to try out quicksend and urbanspoon.

I hope Jott gets and update soon.  Its very unstable but potentially quite useful.

Filed under  //   iphone   recommended  

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July 16, 2008

My Daily Reading Habits

 
Here are my daily reading habits:
 
1.  Wake up to iphone alarm, read my daily horoscope on iGoogle.
 
Today's example:
 
"You may be tempted to keep an important bit of information to yourself today, but it will only stir up insecurities in those around you. It's better to be straightforward and just tell it like it is. Anything that is currently withheld -- by you or by anyone else -- will come out into the open anyhow and can create a lot more trouble when it does. Honesty is really the best policy."
 
I applied this when I presented my patient from earlier this month to my colleagues, the patient with a large hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. 
 
 
2.  Listen to Medical Podcasts on the way to & from work.
 
Today's example:  Advances in Cardiovascular Medicine series, one hour on lipid/cholesterol management.
 
 
3.  Read my favorite bloggers on Google Reader RSS feeds.
 
Today's Example: Jay, Joshua, Michael, Gina
 
 
4.  Doing some research on a case report.
 
 
5.  Usually prior to falling asleep in bed, reading about one chapter in a book about personal growth.
 
Today's Example:  Depak Chopra's book, The Third Jesus.

Filed under  //   Chopra   google   iphone   medical   Michael Hyatt   recommended   web 2.0  

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July 13, 2008

ePocrates and post MI care

I have had ePocrates on my iPhone for about 24 hrs.  It has been a dream so far.  I havent had any patient interactions, as it is my day of the week off.

However, I have been quite impressed with the formulary function.  I have been able to quickly see which of the frequently prescribed medications are on the Madison formulary.

I will run in to this clinical situation many times in the next month on the cardiology ward:

A patient with no known history enters the hospital emergently due to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).  They have previously not taken any medication.  If all goes well, they will be discharged in 3-4 days on multiple new medicaitons, including:

Aspirin (generic, over the counter)
B-blocker (metoprolol tartrate or carvedilol are both covered on the Target 4$ Program)
Ace-inhibitor (lisinopril is covered)
Statin (simvastatin and atorvastatin are most commonly used, but quite expensive).  Pravastatin and Lovastatin are covered, but not as well studied.
Plavix, or clopidogrel: very expensive still.  There was a lawsuit back in 2007 to keep it under patent.
Fish Oil, or omega 3 fatty acids

If on-patent drugs are prescribed, this can be quite expensive quite quickly.

Filed under  //   cardiology   clinical   clinical informatics   Clinical support systems   ePocrates   iphone   medical   Medicine  

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July 10, 2008

iPhone Apps

I hope I get some free time tomorrow to look at all the new iPhone Apps.

Some that I'm thinking about are the voice recorder to record my thoughts as I'm running around the hospital on stuff to do, labs to order, meds to order, etc.

Also, looking forward to implementing evernote, my fellow has been creating amazing white boards that I can take pictures with my iPhone to save for later.

Of course, looking forward to finally having a usable version of ePocrates, doubt that is out and usable yet.

Filed under  //   applications   ePocrates   iphone   Medicine  

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