Radiologists are beginning to use handheld devices such as the iPhone and iPod Touch for patient diagnosis and care. These devices can be used for literature review, tracking patent information and billing, communicating with other doctors, taking images, and reducing costs. Additionally, handheld devices could prove to be a vital tool in disaster situations. A study found that the examination scores of brain CT images on PDAs were higher than that on LCD monitors. This could be due to a difference in the display surface or the luminance of the handheld device. The ability to move the device under ambient lighting to alter the contrast may also be a contributing factor. With access to the internet, doctors can now research rare diseases and read medical updates. The versatility of handheld devices would expedite the accurate diagnosis and treatment of patents, especially those in the emergency room. In addition, this could be done remotely without a computer present. However, despite the benefits handheld devices offer, some doctors are hesitant to use handheld devices because they can be a distraction, pose a security risk, and possibly reduce personal interaction with patients. Less than half of Radiological Society of North America members use PDAs, and of that, less than quarter use them for radiologic applications. Nevertheless, as informational devices continue to advance with faster processing, more memory, and higher resolution, the availability of medical applications will reciprocally grow.
http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/NewsPublications/FeaturedCategories/ACRBulletin/Archives/2010Bulletins/April-2010.aspx
http://www.rsna.org/Publications/rsnanews/May-2010/handheld_feature.cfm
http://www.rsna.org/publications/rsnanews/apr05/hhtech.html
