New devices and apps are being developed and designed for Apple’s iPhone and iPad daily. Throw them in the mix with the most entrepreneurial an innovative country in the world and you are bound to get amazing things. Add to the recipe, one of the most unhealthy and overweight countries in the world and you are likely to create technology driven by the surrounding culture.

For those of you who made a resolution or are looking to start fresh here are a few devices which can sync with your iPhone or iPad and track your progress in 2011.

Withings WIFI Scale = $159.00

Although not currently in market, AliveCor‘s new application has huge potential. The empowerment it gives the patient and the added tracking for physicians can aid both in better overall management of several heart conditions.

Both companies, iHealth and Withings announced iOS compatible blood pressure cuffs.

via tuaw

Click the pictures for more product information

After attending my first WordPress WordCamp this past weekend in Louisville, KY I realized more people in the medical field— especially those involved online need to be aware of these great resources.

Lets start with this, what is a WordCamp? According to WordCamp Central:

“WordCamp is a conference that focuses on everything WordPress. WordCamps are informal, community-organized events that are put together by WordPress users like you. Everyone from casual users to core developers participate, share ideas, and get to know each other. WordCamps are open to WordPress.com and WordPress.org users alike.”

Not only are WordCamps a great opportunity for doctors online, I would argue its essential for doctors who use WordPress. Sure many medical professionals who are blogging and using social media think having an online presence means just showing up. But as we all know, during medical school, throughout clinical rotations, and on into our careers, we have to learn and participate. Just showing up doesn’t cut it.

As I sat and listened to many of the notable speakers from the WordPress community, some of the most handy tools and tips were freely explained and demonstrated. Things I had no clue about, never considered, or knew existed but didn’t know how to implement were discussed in a casual, informative , and helpful manner. Topics ranging from themes, plugins, security, design, even blogging techniques and strategies.

Now this is the time where you begin telling yourself you aren’t very tech savvy, you just started blogging, you don’t know how to write code and so on. WordCamps cover all different user levels, business models, and skill sets. Whether you are using WordPress to run a personal blog, medical practice, patient forum, or medical news site the tools to help you achieve your goals are addressed at these very events.

While at WordCamp Louisville, I overheard some web designers discussing how they have made websites for doctors in the past. From the brief exchange I caught, they were giddy and excited by how much money doctors and alike were willing to shell out for design work, troubleshooting, or simple fixes anyone with some know how could do. It was that very conversation which made me upset with those designers and frustrated with medical professionals online.

Sure time is money and we as medical professionals are already bogged down with enough on our plates. Even so, it was this very idea, if I understood how the body worked I could help someone feel better. This is what drove me to medicine, this is what continues to drive me to finish medical school, to one day practice medicine.

As a result, my first WordCamp gave me the opportunity to meet some great people in the WordPress community and also make some new friends. I found some great tools to fix some issues I was having and I am again rejuvenated to push this website onto bigger and better things.

For more information check out WordCamp Central or WPCandy for events near you.

I recently had the privilege of visiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis Tennessee…

It is truly an amazing place. They really live up to their slogan which is “Finding cures, saving children.” As I walked around the hospital, I saw all of these children with various cancers. Looking into their eyes, seeing their head devoid of hair from chemo, I started feeling sad. What a devastating thing for a child to have to endure.

I later stumbled across a poster showing a graph of the improvement in the 5 year survival rates for various cancers.  The progress that has been made in 50 years is truly remarkable. I started imagining what the next 50 years will bring.

A spark of excitement permeated through my body. It made me remember how great it is to be a doctor now. We are in the most amazing time in medicine. There will most likely be cures for many illnesses that are now devastating.

And to think… my medical students, those I teach in my classes will create this bright future! How inspiring is it to know that YOU, yes YOU, will be playing a role in the success stories of the future! As a future doctor, your destiny is greatness! You are going to help so many people in so many ways you can’t even imagine. So work your butt off, be the best doctor you can be… and LIVE YOUR DESTINY!

Warmest Wishes,

John Barone MD
www.Baronerocks.com
Thank you to St. Jude Children’s research hospital for taking care of so many children “in need” over the years. I always see the TV commercials asking for donations and I can now honestly say, the money you donate to them is really worthwhile. They never turn away children just because they can’t afford to pay! Click to visit St. Jude’s Website

Thanks to Dr. Dreamweaver for allowing me to post my thoughts here!