Technology

A personal EKG monitor, an app that wirelessly connects to a smart thermometer, and 3 more FDA-cleared apps for primary care. 

A pocket guide to manage pediatric emergencies, an app to help diagnose a variety of eye conditions, and 3 other must-have emergency medicine apps for primary care physicians. 

From a mobile EKG monitor to a digital urinalysis app, these medical "devices" are changing the way healthcare is delivered.

A multiple sclerosis diagnosis can leave patients feeling overwhelmed, but these 5 apps can help providers guide patients through diagnosis and treatment. 

From a mobile fluid tracker to an app with a 3-D beating heart, these are the top 5 heart failure apps that every primary care physician and patient should know about. 

What are the 5 must-have apps that physicians can use to promote optimal eye health? Scroll through our quick slideshow to find out. 

What are the top 5 HIV/AIDS apps that both physicians and patients can use? Scroll through our new slideshow to find out. 

An app that tracks cigarette cravings and moods, one that guides patients through proper inhaler use, and 3 other top COPD apps for both patients and physicians. 

This month, our app reviewer selected the top 5 depression apps that you and your patients can use. Which ones made the cut?

Opioids, alcohol, other? In our short slide show, we review the top 5 apps to help you guide patients to and through addiction recovery.

Which immunization apps should you put on your mobile device today? Our app reviewer offers the complete rundown. 

Do you do locum tenens work or think you might be interested? Our app reviewer looks at 5 apps that help you plan, stay organized, manage budgets, and relax.

Our app reviewer picked out the top 5 apps in geriatric care. Scroll through our quick slideshow to get the highlights. 

Our app reviewer picked the top 5 apps that every primary care physician should have to stay up-to-date with current medical news. Check out our slideshow to find out more. 

We top-line 5 migraine tracking & management apps that stand out from the many available and our app reviewer points out defining features.

Inhaled medications are the cornerstoneof therapy for most of themore than 30 million Americanswho have asthma or chronic obstructivepulmonary disease(COPD). Unfortunately, many ofthese patients use aerosol deliverydevices incorrectly.

Q:Under what circumstances is 24-hour ambulatoryblood pressure monitoring (ABPM) appropriate?

Patients who don’t speak Englishoften bring a translator to their firstvisit but not to subsequent ones.

Use an otoscope earpiece duringcryotherapy to avoid injury to normalsurrounding tissue.

Lend a stethoscope to hard-of-hearingpatients who are not wearing a hearingaid.

To reduce discomfort when administeringpotassium in a peripheral line,mix in 2 mL of a 1% lidocaine solution.

A healthy 21-year-old man presented with a rapidly growing, filiform, ringshapedwart on his great toe (Figure).

When treating a patient with an injuredhand, remove all rings as soonas possible.

Pharmacists must write on prescriptionlabels exactly what physicianswrite on their scripts.

“Put yourself out of business"

All too often, when lancing a sebaceouscyst or abscess, or when relievingpressure from a traumatizednail bed, both practitioner and assistantare splattered with the materialthat is released.

To facilitate the swallowing movementsthat are key to the examinationof neck swellings-particularlythose of the thyroid gland-give thepatient a full cup of water and askhim or her to drink it slowly whileyou examine the neck.

To reduce children’s anxiety aboutblood drawing and immunization,keep a toy bear or doll in the examinationroom and let your young patientsuse a syringe without a needleto give it a “shot.”

Dr Mohammed M. Basha’s “Practical Pointer” recommendationthat patients determine how much medication is leftin their inhaler by placing the canister in a glass of water(CONSULTANT, April 1, 2003, page 502) is, unfortunately,not sound.

These tips can make pills easier to swallow for childrenor adults.