1) Some of your terminology will be unfamiliar to US docs: A&E was a channel on basic cable, not an ER. Intercostal tube -> chest tube, etc.
2) No vitals? What kind of pretend chirurgeon do you think I am?
3) Proofreading: patients LOSE consciousness
4) Not getting any feedback from any diagnostic investigations will make me hate this thing with the fire of 10,000 malpractice attorneys. There's no way step B can depend on the outcome of step A, making the simulation very artificial-feeling. Maybe users could set a preference not to sully their precious minds with actual data if they so choose.
5) One suggestion to consider: track the expense of the management sequence in time and funds, so that players can be graded on their cost-effectiveness and speed of resolution. Give varying weights to time and economy depending on the urgency of the situation.
6) Not sure about the name, since this is about management, not prognosis. I guess it could be Prognosis: DEAD...unless YOU intervene, Doctor!
There are many small companies out there that market software products that meet the definition of "Medical Device" but are not approved by the FDA or its equivalent in other countries. They escape because they're running under the radar and the agency doesn't have enough people to police everyone. Now put those apps in one or a few places and it becomes much easier to monitor.
The solution isn't a simple one. Getting 510(k) submissions (FDA pre-market approval process) approved can be very expensive but at the same time, it's possible that many of the products the FDA regulates really don't need to be or at least could be served by a simpler submission process.
Well, there are different App stores for different countries ?
Users with US app store accounts will not be able to see apps in other countries app stores (of course, they can just create a new account set to a different country, but your average user is unlikely to do that)
For places that are less well served by the medical profession these could be real life savers, mobiles are amazing little computers and they can be used for much more than just playing silly games.
I am a medical student. Your demo appears to be below the medical student level, so I am assuming that this is for laypeople to have fun while perhaps learning something. Is that the case? Is there a real demo? I'm not inclined to plop my email address into the form on your page, but if you get in touch with me I will take a look.
No, the app is targeted at Doctors and Medical Students. Most of the cases use technical terms and require medical knowledge in order to be solved properly.
The case displayed on the blog is admittedly very simple - mainly because it is a 'demo case' for users to become familiar with how the app works. The remainder range from easy to quite challenging.
The app is almost ready - at the moment a panel of consultants (attending physicians / surgeons) is going through them to make sure that all details are correct. Once this is done, it will be submitted to the app store.
Would you like to be a beta-tester ? Please let me know.
I can't say much about the app as I haven't tried it yet, but my first impression of the web page are:
Who is this for? At first I thought it might be for doctors, to sort of "crowd-source" a diagnosis, especially from the phrase "investigate, deduce and diagnose real life in minutes." But the cartoon look and the word "game" suggest not.
Now I think it might be a "try to diagnose the problem" game for lay people (I mean, non-doctors). It does look like fun.
In the industrial first-aid training I've done, we practiced and were tested in various scenarios where we had to make a basic diagnosis and provide first-aid. If I understand correctly what your app is about, improving first aid skills might be an additional benefit of playing the game.
I'm glad that you think that the app looks like fun. It is a 'diagnose the problem' game, but it is targeted a doctors and medical students.
I've noted several comments that the cases appear to be simple and targeted at lay people - mainly because our blog showcased our 'demo' case, which was built to introduce users to how the app works. Most of the other cases require a medical background in order to be solved properly.
Thanks for the comments on the marketing pitch - I guess that we need to fine-tune it ! I like the idea about how some simpler cases targeted at lay people might make it appeal to the general public as well.
I think the cartoon style removes some of the seriousness from the app. It looks well-designed but I don't think I'd use it (maybe I'm not the target audience but who is?).
I guess that it does have its pros and cons. The idea is that the app would be used by doctors and medical students, perhaps while they have a break or when they are traveling.
Given the massive amount of 'serious' stuff that they have to go through every day, we thought that a more 'fun' style would be easier on the mind (and on the eyes !).
After a day in the clinic (I am a practicing doctor), I feel like I have brain damage - and I just don't want to even think about a medical textbook or journal. But something less serious might sit better with my mind.
I think it looks fun and vaguely educational but I think you need to make it clearer that it's a game and smother the thing with disclaimers making it clear that stuff you learn in the game is no substitute for going to see an actual doctor - there have been way more frivolous law suits.
Good point there - we were planning on adding that to the text on the app store, but it would probably be good to have a disclaimer inside the app as well.
Sure, and maybe the novelty of your approach just caught me off guard.. was only sharing my initial gut reaction... wasn't meant as well thought-out criticism :)
