You are hereIpad: On The Couch and On the Job
Ipad: On The Couch and On the Job
I asked two CRNA technophile "early adopters" to weigh in on their Ipads. First up, Mike 
"Go Big or Go Home" MacKinnon a newer graduate who has never found an electronic gadget he didn't need, and the owner of nurse-anesthesia.org ,is not afraid of technology or sharing his opinion.
Mike, has the Ipad replaced any of your other devices, like Iphone/smart phone, Laptop, Netbook, Desktop, Ipod touch, etc. ?
Hmm. I still use my iphone as it is easier to carry. So at work I have it with me in the pre op area etc whereas I keep my ipad in the OR to use for reference as needed. I have a TUN of anesthesia/medical apps on both. I would say that my desktop was replaced by my laptop and that my ipad has not replaced anything but filled a gap. The times where I do not want to lean over to use my laptop (hunched on couch etc) and times when im stationary in the OR or somewhere else, the ipad is easier and more fun to use/read.
I loaded my ipad up with all the anesthesia and medical apps i have on my iphone plus more. I use it everyday to look stuff up, read about something specific related to the case and even read the latest journal article on something anesthesia/surgical or medical related.
I use it on the couch and in bed to read. Also take it out with me so that I can use as needed yet am easily able to store it away since it is so portable.
Absolutely. The EHR is something we all know is coming. This has recently happened where I work and due to the limited number of computers avaliable it has been a pain. All the labs and virtually everything about the medical Hx is now on computer with 3 people trying to access it. They are talking about extending a wireless login for those of us with iphones and ipads. The ability to check on your patient on site and review the chart would be amazing.
Besides that, I have full books, journals and medical/anesthesia apps on my ipad that i use everyday both personally as well as for teaching. It is an awesome tool. I also have a full ultrasound and nerve stim instructional video for regional blocks that i review from time to time as needed.
I'm a go big or go home type dude. When it comes to tech I have found if you buy the low end or cheapest version of something you get outdated in a hurry. As an example it was not that long ago i had bought a 16 gig iphone thinking "how much space do i really need?". All the sudden you find your iphone/ipad is full with video, apps and music etc and you wish you had that space. So from my perspective, I go with the best one available i can get.
I went with the 64 gig WiFi and 3G model. To me, the ability to utilize the internet was the foundation of the ipad and WiFi isnt always avaliable. This made the 3g option a perfect choice. Now, i never have to worry about access I can get it whenever i need it. The 64 gig was simply a matter of experience with these types of gadgets. I have found that i can ALWAYS find stuff i want to put on these devices and fill up the smaller versions quickly. To this end i went with the largest amount of storage avaliable.
3G versus WiFi is it worth the extra money ?Totally worth it to get the 3g as well. While WiFi is proliferating, it isnt everywhere and that is where 3g comes in. I do not have to worry about access with 3g everywhere i go.
I do not think there is ever enough! So i always go larger. I have many videos of blocks, presentations etc which i look at on a semi regular basis on my ipad. It is already half full.
From an anesthesia perspective the most useful bar none has been the skyscape application. Through this you then purchase many of the great handbooks and full on books we all enjoy. Soto's drug guide, labs 360, MGH handbook, Mont Reid surgical handbook, Pharm in anesthesia practice and the "Anesthesiology Handbook". I also have apps such as epocrates, Acid Plus, 3d Anatomy, Med wizards (anesthesia practice app) and the sonoaccess ultrasound app.
As far as fun I love the games on the ipad with my current favorite being angry birds. Worthless, well there are many im sure but none ive downloaded yet!
All i have is the apple case for the ipad. Whatever case you get, you need one as it is a slippery device and the case helps give you a grip. Secondly, I enjoy the ability with the apple case to stand it up as well.
Thanks Mike!
