Continuing Medical Education for Licensure Reregistration 2008

In case you're looking for the link to the 2008 AMA PDF that outlines the state relicensure requirements for CME, here it is:

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/455/licensurereqs08.pdf

Each state has unique requirements in areas like:

• Risk management
• Pain management
• HIV/AIDS
• Domestic violence
• Ethics
• Cultural competence
• End of life care
• Prevention of medical errors

In 2008, a handful of states had no CME requirements. Do you know which ones? (isn't that a great trivia question?)

I wonder how that will change for 2009.

If you're looking for a source of FREE CME, take a look at: http://www.cmecorner.com/

CES 2009 - Wishlist

Based on the reports from CES 2009, I've started creating a wishlist. I'm really just dreaming, so I may as well call it a dreamlist:

• Sony Vaio VGN P500: Sony's entry into the netbook arena. Will this run Mac OS X?
• OQO model 02+: cheaper, faster, OLED and touch screen
• Powermat: wireless charging. Get rid of all those cables!
  

This isn't part of my dreamlist anymore, but they would be considered some of the major highlights from CES 2009 (at least from my perspective):

• Netbook convertible tablets: ASUS seems to have the edge here
• Palm Pre: WebOS platform. The survival of Palm hinges on its success
• Windows 7 beta: well, it was going to get released, but now it appears delayed

So will CES be worth attending in 2010?

OS X on Netbooks

I can't believe how many people are installing OS X on their tiny little netbooks. When will Apple release their version of a netbook? Will they release a tablet this year? Have you tried installing OS X on your PC?

Sony Vaio P

I've always been a Sony fan. I know that they tend to be a bit more expensive (like a Mac), but the build quality tends to be quite superb. I have an older Sony Vaio VGN-T250 that I still use for light computing.

Well, the Vaio P is the latest addition and it is being touted as the smallest 8" netbook. It has an extra-wide display (only Sony can get away with things like that) and a built-in GPS. I'm still surprised that Sony hasn't jumped on the Tablet PC market. If they took the TT series and made that into a convertible tablet, I think that would be a hot seller, especially for healthcare professionals who want something that is light and functional.

Sony always has a unique way of entering the market with innovative products. Instead of delivering a conventional netbook, the Vaio P is unique and very expensive (starts at $899).

CES 2009

I really envy those who are able to attend CES 2009. I have too many work-related travel engagements this month. However, maybe I'll get to attend CES 2010 as a healthcare professional blogger. I'm not particularly crazy about Las Vegas, but it would be great to attend someday.

Are the Days of Coumadin Over?

I know someone on a personal basis (not a patient) who used to take Coumadin for recurrent DVTs. His INR used to go all over the place because he would alter his diet and start new medications that often interacted with Vitamin K. Back in those days, physicians used to dream about a magic pill that didn't require any INR monitoring and that would provide optimal anticoagulation to prevent DVTs. Many people are now wondering, "Is rivaroxaban/BAY 59-7939/Xarelto the first pill that will replace Coumadin and eliminate routine INR monitoring?" I'm very eager to see how other oral factor Xa inhibitors will compare. Is factor Xa inhibition the ideal mechanism? What about factor IIa? Direct thrombin inhibitor? The world of pharmacology is changing so rapidly that it's impossible to keep up with all these changes.

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry has evolved tremendously, hasn't it? I'm very eager to see what will appear at CES 2009. My prediction is that most future BlackBerry models will have a touch screen plus a hardware keyboard. They will look similar to a Treo, but will be wider and thinner (bigger keys compared to the Treo).

The big question in my mind is: will the BlackBerry become a dominant player among healthcare professionals? We all know how about its popularity among corporate users. Doctors, pharmacists, and nurses have traditionally relied on Palm and Windows Mobile. Now you have the iPhone gaining substantial momentum, especially with the availability of Epocrates on the iPhone. What about BlackBerry?

Best Free EMR?

I've been asked about the "best free EMR" solution (or EHR if you prefer) that's currently available. I think the more important question is: what free EMR/EHR provider will survive in the current economy? What type of business model will be succesfull and will lead to reliable customer service for clinicians who depend on an electronic medical record?

Windows 7 Build 7000 on Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC

I had such high expectations for Windows 7 on my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC. I installed the beta version of Windows 7 (build 7000) and although it felt better compared to build 6956, it was still very slow. I just created a new partition in my Vista drive and installed Windows 7. At that point, it was a triple boot device. Now, I'm back to a dual boot system running XP and Vista.

Will Windows 7 live up to all the hype? Perhaps it will for faster systems. My Q1 Ultra is just too slow. Let's see what types of new gadgets appear at CES 2009!