Another new drug: romiplostim (Nplate)

Another new drug has been approved by the FDA: romiplostim (Nplate)

This is an agent designed to help patients who have a condition called chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a blood disorder that can cause serious bleeding. Romiplostim is a novel peptide antibody that stimulates platelet production by mimicking the action of thrombopoietin. GlaxoSmithKline and MGI Pharma both have agents in development that may increase platelets in patients with ITP.

Treo Pro and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 both made by HTC

The Treo Pro and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 are both made by HTC. Did you know that? I'm glad that I have a phone made by HTC too - the XV6800. I've been very happy with the quality of the phones made by HTC.

Netbook: Asus Eee PC

The latest Asus Eee PC has an 80 GB hard drive and runs Windows XP. Does that sound like a netbook, or a full PC? You can find this for around $550 and it comes with a 10" screen.

Would you rather pay $550 for an Asus Eee, or over $2,000 for the tiny Sony Vaio notebooks that are very similar in size. The Vaio has a built-in DVD-RW drive, plus it has much more horespower. But if you don't need those features, then you can get a very reasonably-priced Eee and have something very portable.

So, when it comes to mobility, how small is TOO small? That's one of hte questions I've been struggling with. In the world of healthcare, you need something light and mobile if you plan to carry it around the hospital. However, a truly functional device - whether that's a UMPC, a netbook, a tablet PC, or a full laptop - must have a screen that's big enough for you to be productive.

What is that ideal screen size? I'm starting to find that a 12" screen is what I need to be optimally efficient. I've concluded this after using the OQO model 02 that has a 5" screen; the Samsung Q1 Ultra that has a 7" screen; the Fujitsu P1610 that has an 8.9" screen; the Sony Vaio VGN-T250 that has a 10.6" screen; and the Thinkpad X41 Tablet that has a 12" screen.

At the end of the day, the 12" screen seems to be the winner. Although it's great to have something smaller and lighter, my productivity decreases. Hence, I'm not mainly using the 12" screen and reserving my smaller devices for those times when I don't need to be so productive.

Lower the Legal Drinking Age?

College presidents are asking lawmakers to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18. This is being called the Amethyst Initiative.

What do you think about this? Is this a good idea? There have been numerous student deaths in many colleges, including MIT, from drinking too much alcohol. So far, MIT is not on the list of signatories for the Amethyst Initiative.

Will lowering the drinking age increase drinking problems or reduce them? In most European countries, the legal drinking/purchasing age averages between 16 to 18.

As a healthcare professional, I've seen my share of problems related to drinking. Hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, etc. Plus, alcohol is strongly tied to many types of cancers - especially for Asians who are susceptible to gastric cancer.

Thinkpad X200 Tablet confirmed by the FCC

Thinkpad X200 Tablet confirmed by the FCC. It should be appearing on Lenovo's website very soon. Can't wait!

This may be the most exciting new tablet PC to come on the market. Lenovo has been a market leader in this area and I'm eager to see their next model.

Growing Network of Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals

The Ning group I started several months ago has now grown to over 130 members! If you have any interest in non-clinical opportunities/careers, then I encourage you to join this FREE group by signing up here:

http://nonclinical.ning.com/

Job Post: Director, Scientific Communications/Oncology

It looks like Otsuka Pharmaceuticals is looking for a: Director, Scientific Communications/Oncology

Otsuka is seeking a Director, Scientific Communications/Oncology to identify and implement strategic objectives for the publication of medical research data and educational materials, which support the Global Brand initiatives and research goals in oncology. This individual works with the international medical community through the development and implementation of scientific publication plans.

Find the full job description here.

Skyfire

So far, Skyfire seems to be the best mobile browser for my Verizon XV6800. Since Skyfire isn't publicly available for anyone to download, you have to sign up for their private beta testing program. One of the best features of Skyfire is that you can easily select your zooming area. You can just tap and drag the edge of the zoom box to fit your screen. The other great feature is the built-in Flash player.

Still testing and comparing with the other mobile browsers, but so far Skyfire seems to be the best one.

e-learning for clinicians

e-learning is a very hot topic in the world of CME/CE for healthcare professionals. Some may confuse e-learning with e-marketing, but they are not the same.

Well-designed e-learning programs should embrace proper adult learning principles to help clinicians absorb and retain information that will influence their practice behavior. Although there are many different types of adult instructional design models, one of the more popular ones is the "ADDIE" model, which stands for: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.

Do you consider yourself a lifelong learner? How have you been learning recently? Clinicians have the responsibility of keeping up with new information. Guidelines are constantly changing. Medical science advances and new drugs get developed. Paradigms shift. Many years ago, we used to think that smoking cigarettes improves asthma. We've certainly come a long way.

Are you seeking information, or do you receive information as it gets pushed to you through different sources? How do you stay up-to-date with medical information?

Freelance Contractor or Salaried Employee?

I've recently been thinking about this issue: Is it better to work as a freelance contractor? Or to work as a salaried employee? Everyone knows that the benefits of being a contractor is that you can get paid more $, have more flexibility, and maintain diversity in your work. However, the stability may be lacking and you have to find your own benefits. May people love working as a freelance contractor. They would never trade that for a salaried permanent position.

Family life is a huge factor for many people. Some need to work from home, and that can be quite difficult if you're expected to always be in the office. More companies are embracing telecommuting options, but that can have its limitations.

Is there a compromise that results in the best of both worlds? In the end, you may have to give and take to get what you want. For others, one type of work format may be the right fit for that stage in life. Do you enjoy going to work? I'm sure glad that I do.

Should the UMPC be called a sub-netbook?

Some of you may have no idea what I mean when I say "netbook." Typo? No. I don't mean notebook or laptop. I mean netbook.

The term netbook was introduced by Intel in early 2008. It basically refers to sub-compact notebooks that are also low-cost. The Asus Eee has been the classic, trend-setting netbook that others have been trying to beat.

So if netbook refers to a sub-compact notebook, then is a UMPC a sub-netbook? The problem with this logic is that many UMPCs are much more expensive than netbooks. Netbooks are supposed to run between $200-500. UMPCs are often over $1,000, and those that are $999 are praised for falling under that $1,000 price tag. The most expensive ('best') OQO model 02 configuration costs $2,999! I think I paid around $1,400 for my OQO model 02.

What is the future of netbooks? Will they turn into mini convertible tablets and bridge the chasm between netbook and UMPC? That only seems logical since many people want the touch screen interface and the ability to use their device while standing.

I've had a Fujitsu LifeBook P1610 for over a year now. This tiny convertible notebook/tablet has a 9" screen - so this thing is tiny! Fujitsu now has the P1620 that has an Intel Core2 duo processor. It's too big to be called a UMPC, and it's certainly much more expensive than your typical netbook. Plus, it's a convertible tablet with a touch screen. Should this be called the netbook pro? The netbook plus? The netbook tablet? The net tablet?

Most people probably won't be spending close to $2,000 for the Fujitsu P1620 if they can purchase an Asus Eee for $300. Traditionally, tiny sub-compact laptops would cost even more than a standard sized notebook. Now, the netbook phenomenon is changing the landscape of mobile computing. I can't wait until this trickles down and affects UMPCs. I want to see some UMPCs that are around $300-500. No, I don't mean MIDs. I mean UMPCs running full operating systems like Windows XP, Vista, Linux, or Mac OS X.

The other big factor that will impact mobile computing involves SSDs replacing standard spinning hard drives. The first generation SSD have some limitations - mainly price and efficacy. The next generation of SSDs should be less expensive and more effective. I can't wait to see how they get incorporated into mobile computing over the years.

Official Treo Pro - the Slimmest Treo

The official Treo Pro is the thinnest, slimmest Treo to come out of Palm. Unlike other Treo phones out there, this new phone will run Windows Mobile 6.1 and have built-in GPS + Wi-Fi. Since the phone is so thin, people may think it resembles other Windows Mobile devices that lack a touch screen. This device will have a high resolution touch screen and use the universal micro USB connector.

Will Palm also release a CDMA version for Verizon/Sprint? Or will the GSM version be the only one? Also, what type of battery life will this phone have? Form factor always needs to be balanced with functionality. I think I'd prefer a slightly bulkier phone that has robust battery life. Otherwise, make sure you offer an extended battery option.

MedicalPlexus

MedicalPlexus is a restricted-access network in which doctors and life science researchers can connect, interact, and share their work. Is this another Sermo?

MedicalPlexus is different because it may foster research collaboration among scientists and researchers. Web 2.0 at work yet again! Social networking communities that are bringing clinicians and scientists together.

Thinkpad X200 Tablet

Still waiting for the Lenovo IBM Thinkpad X200 Tablet PC. When will this show up on the Lenovo website? Right now, there are many X61 Tablet PCs on the Lenovo Outlet, so if you're looking for a good deal, now may be a good time to buy.

So will the X200 Tablet come out before school starts? Or will students be limited to the older X61 model?

I'm still using an X41 tablet PC and it's as solid as a tank!

Sony and the UMPC

What's Sony up to these days? Have they given up on the UMPC? I don't see any UX series on their website anymore. They even had some lingering UX models on the Sony Outlet. None left.

Maybe the next generation will be called the UZ series? It would be great if they develop something even slimmer than the UX. What if they took the PSP and added a touch screen and a sliding keyboard? Would that be the optimal form factor?

OQO and Intel Atom

OQO and Intel have developed a prototype for the purposes of a "demonstration." According to Dennis Moore, CEO of OQO, the use of the Intel Atom processor in the OQO is a technology showcase. Does this mean that future OQO models will use the Atom processor?

Best Mobile Browser for Windows Mobile?

What is the best mobile browser for the XV6800 running Windows Mobile? I've been testing a few different ones, including Skyfire, Opera, and Minimo. My experience so far is that Skyfire is the best one. However, I plan to do some more testing, so stay tuned...

International Health on the SDN

The Student Doctor Network (SDN) has a nice story about International Health. Have you ever had the opportunity to practice medicine in a different country? It can be quite an experience. Many years ago, I had the opportunity to practice medicine briefly in Mexico and Honduras. I still have some great memories from those international experiences. The public health needs in other countries can vary so much compared to the United States. A friend of mine works for the CDC and is currently based in China. Several other friends are working as primary care physicians in a private practice settings in China.

Wrightstown Family Medicine

Looking for a primary care provider?

Wrightstown Family Medicine has a new website:
http://www.WrightstownFamilyMedicine.com/

What's that black stuff? Tape? Paint?

Have you been watching the 2008 Summer Olympics? What is all that black stuff on Kerri Walsh's shoulders? Since she's playing beach volleyball, you get a pretty clear view of her shoulders. Black paint? Tattoo? A birthmark? Some type of tape? That mystery black stuff is kinesiotape. It is designed to provide some comfort and stability and it comes in different colors.

So is kinesiotape a medical advance? Or is it a stylish way to get attention during the Summer Olympics?

Namesake: Dr. Joseph Kim

Here's a brief glimpse of another namesake: Joseph Kim, MD

Dr. Kim is a nephrologist at Colorado Springs Internal Medicine

According to his bio listed on the website: he went to college and studied chemistry at Georgetown, then he went to medical school at Yonsei University Medical College, Seoul, Korea. He trained in the east coast and now he works in Colorado.

Medpedia: Another Medical Wiki?

Is the Medpedia project yet another medical wiki? Or will this be something different? There are already several medical wikis out there.

Medpedia is being developed in association with four major medical universities: Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Michigan.

Will this be Web 2.0 at its best? Will medical wikis serve as the primary source of medical information for healthcare professionals and consumers? Since anyone can contribue to wikis, how will the immense volume of information be monitored and controlled?