A new iPhone app that mimics a stethoscope might help doctors and nurses out.
So far, some three million physicians have downloaded the $0.99 iStethoscope to be able to monitor the heart rates of patients on the go.
The creator of this app is a researcher at the University College of London named Peter Bentley and he says, “smart phones are capable of saving lives, saving money and improving health care in a dramatic fashion.”
Bentley, who initially made the app as a “fun toy,” now hopes that in the future smart phones could become mobile vital sign monitors, “fully-fledged integrated designs capable of taking ultra sound scanners or monitor a patient’s blood pressure.”
Over 80% of all doctors polled said they expected to be using a smart phone by the year 2012. The iPhone’s FaceTime chat app has already been used by many physicians for doing consultations. While the stethoscope app is certainly handy, it might be somewhat awkward to use until you get used to it.
Its recommended to not use the iconic apple earbuds when using the stethoscope app because of the deep sounds of the heartbeat that can be missed while using the app. It is also recommended to remove any case that you may use as this too can reduce the quality of the sounds heard. Its a simple app to use really, all the user has to do is place the bottom of the iPhone, where the microphone is, directly onto the skin.
Peter Bentley also cautions that in most cases it can take a doctor years to learn to use a stethoscope with mastery, and that Apple smart phone’s microphone is a lot smaller than the head of a stethoscope. But with some practice he says you should be able to get a great sound.
And just think: more precocious kids can learn to play doctor using their parent’s iPhones.
Learn more about the iStethoscope app. Stop by Steven Swihart’s site where you can find out all about stethoscopes and which is the best for you.
Tags: family, general health, iPhone, iStethoscope, stethoscopes, technology
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