Tech Medicine Links for 11.14.8

A new study by Manhattan Research looks at the number of physicians who use the Internet and other digital technologies in their practices. According to the survey, 36% of physicians communicate with their patients online and 54% of physicians own a smartphone. (Thanks to Sean Khozin.)

Google searches for search words related to the flu — "flu," "symptoms of the flu," and the like — are significantly associated with flu outbreaks. In fact, the data on flu-related searches closely mirror the actual incidence of flu activity but are available two weeks earlier than the Centers for Disease Controls own data. The paper, accepted in the journal Nature, is "Detecting Influenza Epidemics using Search Engine Query Data."



iPod headphones — even those that are disconnected — can interfere with pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. The abstract from the American Heart Association is here.

“For patients with pacemakers, exposure to the headphones can force the
device to deliver signals to the heart, causing it to beat without
regard to the patients’ underlying heart rhythm,” he said. “Exposure of
a defibrillator to the headphones can temporarily deactivate the
defibrillator.” In most cases, removal of the headphones restores
normal device function.

The MDRD equation is commonly used by physicians to estimate kidney function. New data suggests that the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation may be even more accurate. (If you know of an online calculator for the new equation, please leave a comment.)

Dr. Atul Gawande appeared on the Charlie Rose Show and discussed using checklists to improve patient safety. Dr. Val has a report.

Tech Medicine Links is a collection of selected developments in the worlds of technology and health care. Have a suggestion? Please email techmedicine@gmail.com.