Through popular television series depicting the lives of doctors and surgeons, viewers are introduced to the hectic schedules of these medical heroes. It may be surprising to some younger viewers that doctors are brought to attention through a pager and not contacted via the iPhone.

Television series aside, one of the coolest and most expensive applications found on the iPhone is a medical one. These applications are usually written for physicians and they are especially designed by and for doctors on the go.

The EMR application is an electronic medical assistant. It allows physicians to access patient’s information and progress via a mobile phone. Doctors are able to view lab reports, tests and schedule patient’s care accordingly. Doctors are also able to write,store and share electronic notes as well as billing.

There is no denying that mobile electronic medical records systems are innovative and allows physicians to attend to their patients from anywhere and at anytime. It is also efficient as doctors need not be present at the lab to review reports thus reduces wait time.

Since then, many applications are developed for the medical industry. There are applications that assist physicians, and some for the layman, for determining drugs, references to diseases and clinical information. Most of the top EMR vendors have now developed complementing applications allowing doctors to access the core system via smartphones and handheld devices.

However the emergence of mobile EMR is not one without controversies and debates. Many have questioned its reliability and accuracy. And many are concern about the strain it will cause between the doctor and patient relationship. The doctor will see you via Skype isn’t exactly a patient’s dream.

There is no denying that it is convenient for its users and can certainly improve a physician’s lifestyle. However, does it really improve the quality of the health care industry?