Android™ Medical Applications- Is it the future?

Today, while browsing the web, i came across a blog entry titled ” Electronic Medical Records: Hazardous to Your Health? “. It was interesting viewpoint regarding Electronic Medical Records and one of commentors on the post also had interesting point of view. I would say the title of the post was quite shockingly attractive.

Electronic Medical Records have been hot point of discussion lately ever since Obama administration is proposing around $30 billion to digitize individual’s medical records(everything and not limited to charts, scans), history …. accessible from anywhere. As everything and every technology, Electronic Medical Records have their good, bad and ugly. It depends on whose perspective it is viewed on.

As far I am concerned, they are good and couldn’t come in better form and time. I have been in traveling alot especially past decade. I have lived in different countries, continents and region. During this time, i have had my share of doctor visits too(Nothing serious, any regular IT related professional would have ..:) ). If I had my records in Electronic form, then i would have proper history with me for my next doctor visit (which i pray doesn’t happen soon ..). This would help the doctor to diagnose the cause with history in mind and also, it would avoid me to answer the same questions again and again. Also, filling those annoying forms at the doctor visit. Another advantage would be if you have to visit some specialist or another place for advanced imaging or scanning, you don’t have to wait for couple of days till the records are transferred to the primary care physician.

I know we have to talk about privacy and security. These are valid concerns but they exist with any other technology we use too. Ever since advent of internet and email, we have been communicating with our friends/family members through email or some form of internet technology. How secure are they? How private are they? Same applies to mobile technology. Ever since it has become common, we have people talking more on mobiles than on landlines. Since mobile is mobile, we are no longer limited to privacy of our homes, we are talking on streets, mall, on route to some place, elevator…. How secure are they? How private are they? As it comes down to , it is how u use the technology and not the technology is the issue.

Medical records are important piece of information. As saying goes, one who has information has power. So, with Electronic Medical Records will some people lose that power? There has been some resistance towards implementation of Electronic Medical Records both from medical fraternity and individuals.

This topic could go on for days…. but my two cents on it are that Electronic Medical Records are good.