I've been reading some reviews from people who've purchased the Amazon Kindle 2. It's a fairly hefty purchase at $359. There are 432 customer reviews on Amazon right now and I'm guessing that most of those users are e-book readers (who probably upgraded to the Kindle 2). How many of those are students using the Kindle 2 for their textbooks? (how many college or medical students can afford to spend $359 on a textbook reader and then another whopping sum for the actual books?)
I wish I had more time for leisure reading. The advantage of a paperback book while you're traveling is that you can read it on a plane during taxiing, takeoff and landing. You'll have to turn off the Kindle 2 and flip through the SkyMall catalog during those same times.
So is it worth it? That's what I'm curious to find out. Is it worth it if you already have a briefcase that contains a laptop, an iPod touch, and a smartphone? You can read on the iPod and the smartphone, so why get a Kindle 2?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Getting Reconnected - How Time Flies
I had a really nice chat the other day with someone I hadn't spoken to in several years. We briefly chatted about health information technology, MIT, medical education, Web 2.0, and a local pharmacy school. It's great to have social networking resources to stay connected with people. Thanks you LinkedIn and Facebook. It's important to maintain relationships because you never know when you may need a professional reference, a job lead, or even a potential lead for a colleague.
Best Online MBA for a Physician
This question comes up all the time: "What's the best online MBA for a physician?"
There's no easy answer, since it probably really depends on what that physician wants to do with that MBA. Is he/she interested in starting a business and becoming an entrepreneur? How about running a hospital? (in which case a master's in medical management of a master's in health administration may be more beneficial). What if you want to go into pharma? Do you need an MBA? No. However, if you want to work on the marketing side of pharma, then it may be very beneficial to have some marketing expertise.
An MBA can also be very useful if you want to go into finance or consulting. I've discovered that most physicians don't really understand the corporate business world. By "most" I mean those who go straight from a biology/chemistry/science undergraduate degree to medical school. They lack any "real world working experience." They've been a lifelong student!
Do some research before pursuing an MBA. Don't simply look for the "best" since one size doesn't fit all physicians. There are so many different non-clinical opportunities for physicians and you may find that an MBA is not usually required for most of them.
There's no easy answer, since it probably really depends on what that physician wants to do with that MBA. Is he/she interested in starting a business and becoming an entrepreneur? How about running a hospital? (in which case a master's in medical management of a master's in health administration may be more beneficial). What if you want to go into pharma? Do you need an MBA? No. However, if you want to work on the marketing side of pharma, then it may be very beneficial to have some marketing expertise.
An MBA can also be very useful if you want to go into finance or consulting. I've discovered that most physicians don't really understand the corporate business world. By "most" I mean those who go straight from a biology/chemistry/science undergraduate degree to medical school. They lack any "real world working experience." They've been a lifelong student!
Do some research before pursuing an MBA. Don't simply look for the "best" since one size doesn't fit all physicians. There are so many different non-clinical opportunities for physicians and you may find that an MBA is not usually required for most of them.
Free MIT education: Open Course Ware
Earlier, I mentioned free MIT education through the MIT Open Course Ware. If you're interested, take a look here:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm
It's a great way to spend time if you're in transition. Learn some new skills and be better prepared for your next opportunity. It's about lifelong learning.
Balancing Full-Time Jobs and Part-Time Education
It's tough enough balancing a full-time job and a personal/family life. When you add an educational degree on top of that, then it gets to be very tricky! There are many people who find that they are more productive when they're pushed to the limit. Of course, you can get burned out very quickly if you're being pushed to the extreme, so you have to know your limits.
For me, I enjoy reading and learning new things. In some ways, I wish I could be a lifelong student (as long as someone pays me so that I can pay the bills, take care of my loans, etc.). However, the reality is that we need to be productive with our time, resources, and talents. I enjoyed getting my MPH (master's in public health) while I was working full-time. It was motivating and stimulating. I admit that there were days when I just wanted to be finished with my MPH. Once I was done, I felt a huge sense of relief. However, I also know that I can do it again - and that's why I've been thinking about business school. I'm still not sure where (and if) it fits into my life and my career plan, but I hope that it will at some point.
If you've been considering a part-time education and you're currently working full-time, keep this in mind: many schools offer you the option to enroll in one or two classes as a non-degree student. This gives you the flexibility to test the waters and try things out first. If you find that the work/life/school balance is too difficult, then you may need to reconsider your options. However, I'd have to think that many people would find the balance manageable - as long as you prioritize wisely. If you have the luxury to stop your day job and enroll in a full-time educational program, then you're very lucky. That's probably the best learning option if you can afford such an investment. As for me, I need to play the balancing act of work/life/education in order to stay alive and support my family. That's the practical side of life.
For me, I enjoy reading and learning new things. In some ways, I wish I could be a lifelong student (as long as someone pays me so that I can pay the bills, take care of my loans, etc.). However, the reality is that we need to be productive with our time, resources, and talents. I enjoyed getting my MPH (master's in public health) while I was working full-time. It was motivating and stimulating. I admit that there were days when I just wanted to be finished with my MPH. Once I was done, I felt a huge sense of relief. However, I also know that I can do it again - and that's why I've been thinking about business school. I'm still not sure where (and if) it fits into my life and my career plan, but I hope that it will at some point.
If you've been considering a part-time education and you're currently working full-time, keep this in mind: many schools offer you the option to enroll in one or two classes as a non-degree student. This gives you the flexibility to test the waters and try things out first. If you find that the work/life/school balance is too difficult, then you may need to reconsider your options. However, I'd have to think that many people would find the balance manageable - as long as you prioritize wisely. If you have the luxury to stop your day job and enroll in a full-time educational program, then you're very lucky. That's probably the best learning option if you can afford such an investment. As for me, I need to play the balancing act of work/life/education in order to stay alive and support my family. That's the practical side of life.
Business Exchange
If you frequent BusinessWeek online, then you may have stumbled upon Business Exchange. It's still in beta, but it appears like a solid social networking site where you can exchange thoughtful ideas, opinions, and resources. Have you been thinking about business school? If you have unsettled questions about b-school (regarding tuition, online classes, etc.), then you should take a look.
For those healthcare professionals who are planning a transition to a non-clinical career, it may be a good investment of time to take some online business courses. Some are even offered for FREE, so why not?
For those healthcare professionals who are planning a transition to a non-clinical career, it may be a good investment of time to take some online business courses. Some are even offered for FREE, so why not?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Switch to XP from Vista
I've switched back to XP Pro on my desktop after using Vista for many months. For my "mission critical" PC, I really need something that is stable as a rock. The answer = XP.
I may try to install Windows 7 once it gets released (assuming that support and stability is excellent). However, I wonder if I'll have switched to Mac OS X by then.
I may try to install Windows 7 once it gets released (assuming that support and stability is excellent). However, I wonder if I'll have switched to Mac OS X by then.
Working in Medical Education
I've had many people ask me about the world of medical education. One might think that medical education is fairly simple and straight forward, but it's much more complex because of the need for certified continuing education. Then you have promotional medical education activities that may look like a robust educational program (but you have to recognize them as promotional activities).
How do you get your CME/CE? Do you attend major medical meetings? Do you participate in online educational activities? Do you read journals? Online web portals and online courses offer very convenient ways to get continuing education.
How do you get your CME/CE? Do you attend major medical meetings? Do you participate in online educational activities? Do you read journals? Online web portals and online courses offer very convenient ways to get continuing education.
Nokia 6205 Dark Knight
The Nokia 6205 Dark Night on Verizon Wireless is a really nice free phone for Verizon Wireless customers. I just got 2 of them for the members of my family plan. The "New Every Two" option that Verizon offers allows you to upgrade to a free phone if you've been a long-time loyal customer (like me).A few years ago, I got a few of the Motorola Razr for free and that was a nice free phone for its time. The Nokia 6205 is a fine free phone for 2009. I'm very impressed by the slim profile, the EV-DO speeds, the micro SD slot, and the universal micro USB connector. Plus, it's capable of Verizon Wireless Broadband Connect (which means you can tether it to your laptop and use it as a wireless modem).
Fingerprint Laptop Security
More and more business laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices have built-in biometric fingerprint scanners. They actually work amazingly well. My Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet has this scanner and I use it to log into Windows. I can also use this fingerprint scanner to store all my other passwords. My old tiny Fujitsu Lifebook p1610 also had a fingerprint scanner and the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC comes with a scanner.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
United Healthcare, Aetna, and Kaiser Permanente
What do these 3 health plans have in common? United Healthcare, Aetna, and Kaiser Permanente
They now offer expanded coverage of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for patients with type 1 diabetes. It's great to see advances in technology that have tangible impact on disease management.
Last month, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) published its 2009 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. The new standards recommends the use of CGM in the following ways:
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Continuous Glucose Monitoring Study Group: Continuous glucose monitoring and intensive treatment of type 1 diabetes. N Engl J Med 359:1464–1476, 2008
They now offer expanded coverage of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for patients with type 1 diabetes. It's great to see advances in technology that have tangible impact on disease management.
Last month, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) published its 2009 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. The new standards recommends the use of CGM in the following ways:
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in conjunction with intensive insulin regimens can be a useful tool to lower A1C in selected adults (age ≥25 years) with type 1 diabetes.
- Although the evidence for A1C lowering is less strong in children, teens, and younger adults, CGM may be helpful in these groups. Success correlates with adherence to ongoing use of the device.
- CGM may be a supplemental tool to SMBG in those with hypoglycemia unawareness and/or frequent hypoglycemic episodes.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Continuous Glucose Monitoring Study Group: Continuous glucose monitoring and intensive treatment of type 1 diabetes. N Engl J Med 359:1464–1476, 2008
LG Versa
The LG Versa incorporates a novel design: a removable QWERTY keyboard that's built into the case/cover. Reminds me of some of the early Tablet PC models that incorporated a detachable keyboard for the times when you need to do a lot of typing. Then, you can remove the keyboard if you need to carry the ultralight tablet around all day.
The engineers at LG may be onto something exciting here. Imagine what could be done if Apple also copied this design and created a case/keyboard for the iPhone? Samsung with the Omnia?
Virtual Box gets updated
If you're using a Mac and you need to run Windows, then you may want to try Virtual Box by Sun Microsystems. Speaking of Sun, when I was a student at MIT, almost all of our Athena workstations had the "Sun Microsystems" logo on the hardware. Those were the days...
Going back to the Mac - instead of getting VMware or Parallels Desktop (which will cost around $79), Virtual Box is free. That's right, it's free. And it's recently been updated to version 2.1.4. You may have also heard of Open Office. That's a free alternative to the Microsoft Office suite. All these free options are legitimate and you won't have to go to a P2P, torrent, or warez site to find any of these.
Speaking of free, have you tried Ubuntu? This is a simple Linux operating system that runs really well on laptops, desktops, and UMPC tablets. The last time I installed Ubuntu on my Samsung Q1 Ultra, it recognized the touch screen and automatically installed all the drivers for my device. It's great to see dedicated workers supporting open source projects like Virtual Box, Open Office, and Ubuntu.
Going back to the Mac - instead of getting VMware or Parallels Desktop (which will cost around $79), Virtual Box is free. That's right, it's free. And it's recently been updated to version 2.1.4. You may have also heard of Open Office. That's a free alternative to the Microsoft Office suite. All these free options are legitimate and you won't have to go to a P2P, torrent, or warez site to find any of these.
Speaking of free, have you tried Ubuntu? This is a simple Linux operating system that runs really well on laptops, desktops, and UMPC tablets. The last time I installed Ubuntu on my Samsung Q1 Ultra, it recognized the touch screen and automatically installed all the drivers for my device. It's great to see dedicated workers supporting open source projects like Virtual Box, Open Office, and Ubuntu.
Online Continuing Education
How do you get your continuing education? Do you take classes? Read? Online programs?
Many more people are getting their continuing education online. Do you ever consider getting an online master's degree (say an MBA, an MPH, an MEd, an MS, or an MA)? You've probably seen ads for Walden University, the University of Phoenix, Capella University, DeVry University, and others.
But did you know that some of the most prestigious universities offer online master's degrees? For instance, Johns Hopkins offers an online MPH program where the vast majority of the coursework is Internet-based. Emory University offers a similar online MPH.
Getting a master's degree has many benefits, even if you're a seasoned healthcare professional. There's a reason why executive MBA programs are so popular among senior-level corporate executives. There's so much you can learn in the classroom, but more importantly - there's so much you can learn from each of your colleagues and peers. If you're planning on a career change, then you may want to look at some sources of continuing education. Maybe it will be worth your investment to even enroll in a degree program.
Many more people are getting their continuing education online. Do you ever consider getting an online master's degree (say an MBA, an MPH, an MEd, an MS, or an MA)? You've probably seen ads for Walden University, the University of Phoenix, Capella University, DeVry University, and others.
But did you know that some of the most prestigious universities offer online master's degrees? For instance, Johns Hopkins offers an online MPH program where the vast majority of the coursework is Internet-based. Emory University offers a similar online MPH.
Getting a master's degree has many benefits, even if you're a seasoned healthcare professional. There's a reason why executive MBA programs are so popular among senior-level corporate executives. There's so much you can learn in the classroom, but more importantly - there's so much you can learn from each of your colleagues and peers. If you're planning on a career change, then you may want to look at some sources of continuing education. Maybe it will be worth your investment to even enroll in a degree program.
Cursed by Vista
I'm reinstalling Vista on my "mission critical" PC today. Fortunately, my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet has become a very reliable backup to my mission critical PC. Therefore, I'm mainly using my notebook for the next several days.
After reinstalling Visa and having some of the same problems, I've decided to install XP. I admit that there are days when I wonder why I'm even playing around with Vista. Will Windows 7 really be that much better? I don't want to get my hopes up.
All my friends are telling me to switch to a Mac. I've been running OS X on an old Dell laptop (OSx86) and I admit there are many features that I like. However, I'm entangled by Microsoft applications and unless I'm constanly running VMware, I wouldn't be able to survive. Am I kidding myself? As soon as the official MacTablet arrives, maybe I'll be one of those people to camp outside of the Apple store and get one (only to find that the price dropped by $300 after 2 months).
After reinstalling Visa and having some of the same problems, I've decided to install XP. I admit that there are days when I wonder why I'm even playing around with Vista. Will Windows 7 really be that much better? I don't want to get my hopes up.
All my friends are telling me to switch to a Mac. I've been running OS X on an old Dell laptop (OSx86) and I admit there are many features that I like. However, I'm entangled by Microsoft applications and unless I'm constanly running VMware, I wouldn't be able to survive. Am I kidding myself? As soon as the official MacTablet arrives, maybe I'll be one of those people to camp outside of the Apple store and get one (only to find that the price dropped by $300 after 2 months).
Recovering from a Stomach Bug
After a terrible day in bed, I'm now about 80% recovered from a stomach bug. It was probably a "stomach flu" in layman's terms, so that probably translates either to norovirus (Norwalk), adenovirus, rotavirus, or some other nasty germ. Yesterday was a catabolic day for me. I probably consumed 300 calories. Today, that improved where I probably consumed about 1000 calories. Tomorrow will be even better.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Distance Learning: Online Education
As e-learning technologies improve, graduate-level distance learning programs are becoming stronger than ever. Want to see what your classmates look like? Then schedule a video conference call to work on a group project. These types of interactions are becoming more and more popular among today's online degree programs. Don't have time to sit in a classroom? Then watch the lecture online on your laptop.
There are obviously pro and cons to online education. However, for busy doctors and other healthcare professionals, the pros may far outweigh the cons. This may be especially true if you don't live in a major city where you may have access to executive and evening programs (such as an executive MBA). You'll have to decide after you do your research.
There are obviously pro and cons to online education. However, for busy doctors and other healthcare professionals, the pros may far outweigh the cons. This may be especially true if you don't live in a major city where you may have access to executive and evening programs (such as an executive MBA). You'll have to decide after you do your research.
Blaming All My Problems on Vista
I'm starting to get more and more problems with my laptops that are running Vista. I'm at the point where I think I'll install XP and wait for Windows 7.
Vista was fine for a while, but then after some updates got loaded, I started having all sorts of problems with my display driver and my Wi-Fi connection. I've disabled all the eye candy, so I don't really need Vista unless I'm using something that has a touch screen. I like the on-screen mouse pointer and the handwriting recognition is far better on Vista. So, I'll probably end up keeping Vista on my tablet PC, but I think I may install XP on my dual-display workstation.
I got my wife a MacBook Pro. Maybe I need to get one too.
Vista was fine for a while, but then after some updates got loaded, I started having all sorts of problems with my display driver and my Wi-Fi connection. I've disabled all the eye candy, so I don't really need Vista unless I'm using something that has a touch screen. I like the on-screen mouse pointer and the handwriting recognition is far better on Vista. So, I'll probably end up keeping Vista on my tablet PC, but I think I may install XP on my dual-display workstation.
I got my wife a MacBook Pro. Maybe I need to get one too.
Iris Browser v1.1.2
The Iris Browser (by Torch Mobile) has been updated to v1.1.2
It may not be mobile Safari, but it's a really nice browser for Windows Mobile. I also use Skyfire, Opera Mobile, and Opera Mini. I'm still waiting on mobile Firefox (I haven't tried the sub-beta alpha test version because of reports that it's so slow). My experience so far with the new and improved version of Pocket Internet Explorer has been quite positive on my XV6800. I'm running Windows Mobile 6.1 and I don't think my device can handle 6.5 so that's somewhat disappointing.
At least I should be able to find a good mobile browser that will work on my device.
It may not be mobile Safari, but it's a really nice browser for Windows Mobile. I also use Skyfire, Opera Mobile, and Opera Mini. I'm still waiting on mobile Firefox (I haven't tried the sub-beta alpha test version because of reports that it's so slow). My experience so far with the new and improved version of Pocket Internet Explorer has been quite positive on my XV6800. I'm running Windows Mobile 6.1 and I don't think my device can handle 6.5 so that's somewhat disappointing.
At least I should be able to find a good mobile browser that will work on my device.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Everyone in my family is sick with what appears to be a viral gastroenteritis. My wife and daughter have had gastrointestinal problems all day. I'm afraid that I may be next. If I get struck by this lovely bug (which I'm sure will happen), then you may not see much from me over the next few days. I'm trying to be optimistic that my immune system will be able to resist this microbe from infecting me.
Master's in Medical Management
What do these 4 universities have in common?
The ACPE (American College of Physician Executives) is an organization that fosters the growth and development of physician leaders. You don't need to have a master's degree to be an excellent physician executive. However, there are many benefits of formal education in professional leadership, management, and business.
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Southern California
- Tulane University
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
The ACPE (American College of Physician Executives) is an organization that fosters the growth and development of physician leaders. You don't need to have a master's degree to be an excellent physician executive. However, there are many benefits of formal education in professional leadership, management, and business.
Growing Your Social Network
Because of the current economy, activity on social networking websites has gone through the roof. When I visit the forums and discussions on LinkedIn, I see many recruiters and job candidates actively looking for various types of opportunities. Some are in complete career transition while others are simply looking for a minor change.
Have you been growing your social network? Even if you're in a stable position and you don't see yourself going anywhere anytime soon, I'd encourage you to maintain relationships with old colleagues, classmates, and co-workers. I admit that networking can be tiring and time-consuming, but the intangible benefits are worth that periodic investment.
Have you been growing your social network? Even if you're in a stable position and you don't see yourself going anywhere anytime soon, I'd encourage you to maintain relationships with old colleagues, classmates, and co-workers. I admit that networking can be tiring and time-consuming, but the intangible benefits are worth that periodic investment.
Giving Windows 7 Another Chance
I've decided to give Windows 7 (beta build 7022) another chance on my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC. I had build 7000 on it earlier and I'm not expecting any major changes, but I'm the type of person who has to try something new. Build 7022 has been out there for a while, but I've just been too busy to download and install it. Hopefully this experience will be a better one for me.
In Search for a Car or Truck
I've been searching for a car or truck for one of my family members. Because of e-mail, I've found that it's quite easy to shop around and get quotes. You simply find some dealers in your local area, ask them for their best price, and then compare all of them. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Well, it's not always that simple. You have to think about the exterior color, the trim, the sound system, the interior color, window treatments, and so many other options.
Pickup trucks can be especially difficult to choose because of the different specs found on Ford, Honda, Chevrolet, Toyota, GM, Nissan, etc. You want to find something that will suit your needs without guzzling gas. Fortunately, gas prices have been coming down a bit. However, there's no way of knowing whether they will stay low or suddenly shoot back up. Once the summer hits, I won't be surprised if the gas prices exceed $3/gallon again. I've also been looking at some of the smaller SUV series made by Lexus, Acura, and BMW. I doubt I'll go with an SUV since I really need the features of a truck. Well, since I'm not shopping for myself, I suppose it really isn't about what I need or want. If it were up to me, I think I'd go with a luxury hybrid. I really like the principle of a hybrid, but I just wonder about their long-term reliability. If I were to lease an SUV, I think I'd definitely go with a hybrid since I doubt I'd run into any major problems in two years. I know several people who have the Toyota Prius and they love having a vehicle that only needs to be filled up every month (they don't have much of a commute). My commute isn't that long either, so sometimes I think about getting a Segway personal transporter. If I still lived in the city, I'd definitely invest in a Segway.
Lease or buy? Well, have you done all your research? I've been looking at different manufacturers for several months now. I like Subaru, but they don't make trucks (anymore, if you count the Baja as a truck). I've been looking at domestic trucks as well as imports. You can get a really good lease for 0% APR from several different companies. To purchase a Honda or Toyota (some of the most popular brands), you can expect to find APRs of 3-6%. A website like thecarconnection.com can be very useful when you're doing research. I also use Edmunds.com and Yahoo! autos when I'm looking up car specs.
This blog entry is brought to you by your friends at www.thecarconnection.com
Pickup trucks can be especially difficult to choose because of the different specs found on Ford, Honda, Chevrolet, Toyota, GM, Nissan, etc. You want to find something that will suit your needs without guzzling gas. Fortunately, gas prices have been coming down a bit. However, there's no way of knowing whether they will stay low or suddenly shoot back up. Once the summer hits, I won't be surprised if the gas prices exceed $3/gallon again. I've also been looking at some of the smaller SUV series made by Lexus, Acura, and BMW. I doubt I'll go with an SUV since I really need the features of a truck. Well, since I'm not shopping for myself, I suppose it really isn't about what I need or want. If it were up to me, I think I'd go with a luxury hybrid. I really like the principle of a hybrid, but I just wonder about their long-term reliability. If I were to lease an SUV, I think I'd definitely go with a hybrid since I doubt I'd run into any major problems in two years. I know several people who have the Toyota Prius and they love having a vehicle that only needs to be filled up every month (they don't have much of a commute). My commute isn't that long either, so sometimes I think about getting a Segway personal transporter. If I still lived in the city, I'd definitely invest in a Segway.
Lease or buy? Well, have you done all your research? I've been looking at different manufacturers for several months now. I like Subaru, but they don't make trucks (anymore, if you count the Baja as a truck). I've been looking at domestic trucks as well as imports. You can get a really good lease for 0% APR from several different companies. To purchase a Honda or Toyota (some of the most popular brands), you can expect to find APRs of 3-6%. A website like thecarconnection.com can be very useful when you're doing research. I also use Edmunds.com and Yahoo! autos when I'm looking up car specs.
This blog entry is brought to you by your friends at www.thecarconnection.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
Should I do a Medical/Surgical Residency?
I often get asked this question by medical students: "Should I do a medical/surgical residency if I KNOW that I never want to practice medicine?"
I always try to encourage medical students to go through residency. There are many types of non-malignant programs out there. Plus, you may find that you actually enjoy certain things about clinical medicine. Some residency programs to consider include preventive medicine and PM&R. No matter which program you select, residency can feel brutal if you end up isolating yourself from family and friends. Plus, you may suffer serious emotional burnout and psychological distress if you're not truly prepared to be a physician.
There are many non-clinical opportunities for medical school graduates who never go through a residency. The transition from the clinical world to the non-clinical world can be slow and arduous, but many have traveled this road with great success.
I always try to encourage medical students to go through residency. There are many types of non-malignant programs out there. Plus, you may find that you actually enjoy certain things about clinical medicine. Some residency programs to consider include preventive medicine and PM&R. No matter which program you select, residency can feel brutal if you end up isolating yourself from family and friends. Plus, you may suffer serious emotional burnout and psychological distress if you're not truly prepared to be a physician.
There are many non-clinical opportunities for medical school graduates who never go through a residency. The transition from the clinical world to the non-clinical world can be slow and arduous, but many have traveled this road with great success.
Improving Mobile Security and Patient Information
Modern mobile devices are set up so that data can be erased remotely if the device gets stolen. This level of security can help reduce problems related to personal identification and information theft. Imagine losing your UMPC, tablet, netbook, or laptop that contains ultra-sensitive patient information. Would you have the capability of erasing that device after you lose it?
Now, many devices come equipped with the capability to wipe the hard drive if the device gets stolen. This is also true for mobile devices. There are circulating stories of a prototype Windows Mobile 6.5 phone that was stolen last week. The reports state that the data has been erased on this mobile device. I don't think most thieves are thinking that someone is remotely trying to access the device to wipe it clean. Now if we can build a self-destruct mechanism, I think we'd be all set and laptop theft would decrease tremendously.
Now, many devices come equipped with the capability to wipe the hard drive if the device gets stolen. This is also true for mobile devices. There are circulating stories of a prototype Windows Mobile 6.5 phone that was stolen last week. The reports state that the data has been erased on this mobile device. I don't think most thieves are thinking that someone is remotely trying to access the device to wipe it clean. Now if we can build a self-destruct mechanism, I think we'd be all set and laptop theft would decrease tremendously.
HTC ROM Update for the HTC Touch Pro
HTC has released a ROM update for the HTC Touch Pro. However, download and install with caution since it may wipe out critical settings that are provided by your carrier (such as by Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T). The Touch Pro is a nice device but you should take a look at the Touch Pro2 since it's much nicer (and if you're able to wait). Who knows when the Touch Pro2 will come out, but I think it will be worth the wait.
EV-DO Apple iPhone Coming to Verizon Wireless?
There are many circulating rumors about an EV-DO Apple iPhone for Verizon Wireless. I know that the original plan was for the iPhone to be exclusively sold under the AT&T mobile service, but plans can change (or can they?). I think it would be truly exciting to see the iPhone on Verizon. I know many people who have recently gotten either a BlackBerry Storm or a Samsung Omnia. They'd probably switch to the iPhone in a heartbeat.
A Look at Natural Health and Wellness
Have you visited Oasis Advanced Wellness? Are you famliar with holistic health and wellness remedies? The word "wellness" is such a buzzword in today's healthcare environment because many people equate wellness to disease prevention and optimal health. In fact, most managed care organizations are looking for ways to promote wellness among their subscribers. This includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a relaxed mind. The interest in holistic medicine continues to grow as more people seek after natural remedies, herbs, and alternative forms of medicine.
Many physicians, nurses, and pharmacists have never heard of some of these holistic products. For instance, have you heard of Poly MVA or Intramax? How about Lithium Orotate? These are various compounds that often fall under the category of "supplements" and they are not rigorously tested by the FDA. Hence, it's often difficult to know what you're getting when you shop for these types of supplements because the content is not strictly regulated.
If you have a strong interest in holistic medicine, then I encourage you to join the American Holistic Medicine Association (AHMA) and learn more about alternative medicine. You may also want to check out the American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA)
This blog entry is brought to you by your friends at www.oasisadvancedwellness.com
Oasis Advanced Wellness is a provider of various wellness products and was founded by Dr. Loretta Lanphier.
Many physicians, nurses, and pharmacists have never heard of some of these holistic products. For instance, have you heard of Poly MVA or Intramax? How about Lithium Orotate? These are various compounds that often fall under the category of "supplements" and they are not rigorously tested by the FDA. Hence, it's often difficult to know what you're getting when you shop for these types of supplements because the content is not strictly regulated.
If you have a strong interest in holistic medicine, then I encourage you to join the American Holistic Medicine Association (AHMA) and learn more about alternative medicine. You may also want to check out the American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA)
This blog entry is brought to you by your friends at www.oasisadvancedwellness.com
Oasis Advanced Wellness is a provider of various wellness products and was founded by Dr. Loretta Lanphier.
The European Commission Approves Efient (prasugrel
No, not Effient (which is the proposed US tradename). Efient (prasugrel) has been approved in Europe for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing PCI. The annoucement was made by Daiichi SankyoCompany, Limited and Eli Lilly and Company.
Two of the major prasugrel studies are:
Two of the major prasugrel studies are:
- TRITON–TIMI 38 (Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition with Prasugrel–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction), and
- TRILOGY ACS (TaRgeted platelet Inhibition to cLarify the Optimal strateGy to medicallY manage Acute Coronary Syndromes),
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The HTC Touch Pro2
Wow, the HTC Touch Pro2 really looks like a nice device. It will have a 3.6" touch screen (which is almost an inch longer than my current HTC Titan or XV6800 that has a 2.8" screen). Plus, it will feature the tilting keyboard that slides out. Personally, I think this is a great feature because you can set your device on a table and still see what's on the display.
With much more internal RAM and a fast processor, it should run Windows Mobile 6.5 without any problems. Maybe it will even get the upgrade for Windows Mobile 7 when it becomes available (or maybe that's just wishful thinking). Well, I'm happy with my XV6800 for now, so I don't plan to make any changes.
Actually, if (or when) I upgrade to a new smartphone, I probably won't go with a slider anymore. I'll probably get a candybar style device or maybe a thin touch screen device that doesn't have a hardware keyboard. I like to use my phone with one hand and I find that the slider just isn't good for that.
Netbook Prices
When I look at netbooks, I'm still amazed by their prices. You see, there was a time when I spent quite a bit of money to purchase a tiny little Sony VGN-T series that had a 10.6" screen and a built-in DVD drive. I didn't need the built-in DVD drive, so I would have been perfectly happy with a tiny device that had a 10.5" screen, a thin body, and no built-in optical drive.
Netbooks made by Asus, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung, Acer, and other companies currently range between $300 to $800. The cloud computing revolution is here! Some of the most popular models are the Asus Eee (many different ones to choose from), the MSI Wind, the Samsung NC10, the HP Mini Note, and the Sony Vaio P (which Sony refuses to call a netbook).
Netbooks made by Asus, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung, Acer, and other companies currently range between $300 to $800. The cloud computing revolution is here! Some of the most popular models are the Asus Eee (many different ones to choose from), the MSI Wind, the Samsung NC10, the HP Mini Note, and the Sony Vaio P (which Sony refuses to call a netbook).
What do you do with your old laptops?
I've done several different things with my old laptops. What do you do when you replace your notebook PC?
Here are some things that I've done in the past with my old Apple, Fujitsu, Dell, HP, Sony, Toshiba, and Lenovo laptops:
Here are some things that I've done in the past with my old Apple, Fujitsu, Dell, HP, Sony, Toshiba, and Lenovo laptops:
- Donate to charity
- Sell on eBay
- Convert to a digital picture frame
- Use it as a server
- Extra PC in another room in the house
- Movie player connected to a larger TV for DivX, MPEG, AVI, and other formats not compatible with many DVD players
- Salvage it for parts
- Give it to a family member
Still Waiting for Verizon to Unlock the aGPS on HTC and Samsung
People are still waiting for Verizon Wireless to unlock the aGPS on the HTC Touch Pro, the Samsung Omnia, and the Samsung Saga. Even though the XV6900 (or HTC Vogue) also has an internal aGPS chip, Verizon won't be unlocking that. So, if you want to use the GPS on that device, you'll need to do some adventurous ROM flashing. I'm still lucky to have the XV6800 (or HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul, PPC 6800) that has an internal aGPS that works really well once you load a custom ROM and apply a few tweaks (or apply a few tweaks to the MR1 or MR2 ROM released by Verizon).
It's so handy to have a phone that has an internal aGPS. The safety implications of having a GPS device are also huge. In fact, I'm surprised that Verizon hasn't faced any significant lawsuits from people who may have sustained injury that could have been avoided if the aGPS on their device had not been locked or disabled by Verizon.
Well, fortunately Verizon won't be crippling future smartphones that have a built-in aGPS. However, there are many current customers who are waiting for that software upgrade!
It's so handy to have a phone that has an internal aGPS. The safety implications of having a GPS device are also huge. In fact, I'm surprised that Verizon hasn't faced any significant lawsuits from people who may have sustained injury that could have been avoided if the aGPS on their device had not been locked or disabled by Verizon.
Well, fortunately Verizon won't be crippling future smartphones that have a built-in aGPS. However, there are many current customers who are waiting for that software upgrade!
The American Physician Scientists Association
If you're a medical student of a physician with a strong background/interest in research, then you may want to consider attending the American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) meeting this year in Chicago. There are different levels of membership and it appears that you don't have to be an MD/PhD or a DO/PhD to be a full member.
Re: Non-Clinical Opportunities for International Medical Graduates
Someone recently asked: "Tell me about non-clinical opportunities for international medical graduates (IMGs or FMGs)"
My reply:
The opportunities are mostly the same when you're looking at things related to medical communications, consulting, writing, etc. In most of these cases, you don't need an active US medical license. Hence, whether you are an international graduate or a US graduate, the opportunities may be very similar. I'm not going to get into issues related to getting a work Visa because that's an entirely complex topic in and of itself.
My reply:
The opportunities are mostly the same when you're looking at things related to medical communications, consulting, writing, etc. In most of these cases, you don't need an active US medical license. Hence, whether you are an international graduate or a US graduate, the opportunities may be very similar. I'm not going to get into issues related to getting a work Visa because that's an entirely complex topic in and of itself.
Student Doctor Network Salary Expectations Survey
The SDN has a nice article based on a series of polls regarding salary expectations. Salary ranges among healthcare providers can vary so much that it can be very difficult to decipher published salary guides. The article on SDN also has links to mean wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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