10 Questions for Ed Zabrek, M.D.

I spoke with Smartphone & Pocket PC Medical Editor Ed Zabrek, M.D. to ask how Windows Mobile has affected healthcare and what the future holds.

1. How has Windows Mobile changed healthcare in the past 5 years?

Windows Mobile has penetrated the handheld market that Palm previously owned. Physicians traditionally selected Palm devices in the past. That's mainly due to the introduction of ePocrates (http://www.epocrates.com) about ten years ago; once it was available physicians found they couldn't live without it. After ePocrates was offered in the Windows Mobile format, with features as good as or better than the Palm platform, doctors started adopting Windows Mobile devices. This trend was also helped by Palm's decline.

In addition, doctors realized that there were a large number of other quality healthcare products available for Windows Mobile, further spurring the adoption of these devices.

2. What Windows Mobile healthcare software do you find indispensable in your daily management of patients?

I use the Skyscape (http://www.skyscape.com) suite of products (medical textbooks that contain all the information that I'd have to go to my bookshelf to look up, which include drug interactions, PDR, OB-GYN references, etc.). The beauty of Skyscape is that, regardless of the number of Skyscape products I have on my device, all the titles (300+) "talk" to each-other, so no matter how many references are loaded on a device, they can link with each other seamlessly.

Mobile Merck Medicus (http://www.merckmedicus.com) allows me to read current journals on my Windows Mobile device live via the Web. It's with me all the time so I can keep current on my journal reading and get Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits.

Up to Date (http://www.uptodate.com) lets me look up esoteric treatments and unusual situations in order to get current, up-to-date peer-reviewed trusted information. It's updated quarterly, and again is available on-line on my device, and also offers CME credits.

Airstrip OB allows doctors to see vital information about a baby in the womb, and about a mother as she gives birth.

3. What is most exciting product you have seen that will directly impact you practice in the next year or two?

Airstrip OB (http://www.airstripob.com)allows me to view real-time information on a baby's heartbeat and a mother's contraction pattern. Further, I can see this information remotely wherever I am on my mobile device. This is a potential life-saver in any case in which complications arise.

4. Are there any "free" software titles available for WM devices that are worth using?

Yes! Mobile PDR (http://www.pdr.net) is a free download for physicians only. This is the indispensable physician reference. There's also Mobile Merck Medicus (www.merckmedicus.com). ePocrates (www.epocrates.com) offers 3 good, basic free references, ePocrates, Rx, Mobile CME, "MedTools" a basic medical calculator package, and a customizable insurance formulary program.

5. What current Windows Mobile device is your favorite right now?

Right now I'm very impressed by the Samsung i730 (see review in the November issue).. It's reliable and extremely well designed, has adequate memory and speed. It also has EVDO fast Internet access, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, a very usable thumb keyboard, and a bright easy to read screen that can used in the landscape or portrait mode. It also includes excellent 3rd party software applications (built into ROM) that enhance productivity (see review in the November issue). One other thing to note: the i730 will be able to be upgraded to WM 5.0!

6. What Windows Mobile accessories can't you live without?