We have a number of exciting technology-related projects in the works, many of them in the initial planning stages and not quite ready for prime time. You’ll learn more about these projects in the months ahead. If you have suggestions about technology-related efforts you’d like to see the ACR pursue, please contact me. I welcome your ideas.
Birnbaum’s Bookmarks: E-picks from the President
I’ve often felt that the world is divided into those people who grew up playing pinball machines and those who grew up playing Pac-Man. As a member of the pinball generation, I am envious of my daughters who can accurately keyboard at 100 words per minute while simultaneously listening to music on their iPod, watching television, and talking on their cell phone. While I still find myself looking at the keyboard while typing, I have certainly adopted many aspects of computer technology.
Easy E-mail: I can’t imagine being ACR president without the ability to rapidly exchange e-mails with the other executive committee members and ACR staff. On the other hand, I don’t use e-mail to communicate with patients because I think there is much to be learned by hearing the tone and inflection in someone’s voice.
While I have yet to see a truly paperless electronic medical record that would save time for a slow typist like myself, I appreciate the ability to rapidly access lab and radiology results from the hospital, and my staff couldn’t function without electronic billing.
Slick Searches: I’m continually amazed by the power of Google. I no longer use PubMed or other medical search engines. I have bought very few new textbooks since subscribing to UptoDate. However, I still prefer paper copies of journals to reading off the computer screen.
Perfect Photos: In my personal life, I switched to digital photography several years ago. I like not having to carry rolls of film on trips and the ability to instantly see (and often delete) the pictures I have taken. Of course, I still haven’t learned how to do anything more than rudimentary editing with Photoshop.
Travel Tech: As a frequent traveler, I rely on Web sites like kayak.com, travelocity.com, and orbitz.com to research the best available flights. On the other hand, I prefer talking to a live reservations clerk to be reassured that I’m actually making the best plans.
Tripadvisor.com is excellent for hotel recommendations anywhere in the world and has links to hotels.com and similar sites. I frequently use opentable.com for restaurant reservations.
