Jonathan Bertman, MD

Do unresolved issues surrounding performance, reliability, and security make data-intensive applications like EHRs poor candidates for the cloud?

Dr. Bertman discusses flexible screen computers.

The recent announcement that Revolution Health was discontinuing its PHR service should not have surprise anybody who has been paying attention to this market. Patients have been apathetic at best to this technology, and physicians have wisely steered clear out of concerns over time, reimbursement, and liability issues.

Earth Day (April 24) is coming soon. No matter how you feel about Al Gore, melting ice caps, and baby polar bears, going green can be good for your practice. Being green does not require you to hug a tree or eat tofu; it simply means that you are being efficient, saving money, and reducing your business's carbon footprint.

In last month's column, I talked about Microsoft's newest desktop operating system, Windows 7, and outlined several reasons why you might want to purchase it when it comes out this year. Windows 7 will include some really cool features-like multi-touch technology and usability improvements-that can benefit medical practitioners and their office staff. Because it is in Microsoft's best interest to make the process of upgrading to Windows 7 simple and straightforward, you would think the software giant would put great effort into streamlining the experience.

Big money is flooding the health IT industry, and that can mean only one thing: Doctors are about to get screwed.

There certainly was quite a bit of hype surrounding Apple's February unveiling of the iPad tablet computer. Now that all of the excitement has died down, let's take a look at what the device has to offer for physicians and what that might mean for the tablet market.

There certainly was quite a bit of hype surrounding Apple's February unveiling of the iPad tablet computer. Now that all of the excitement has died down, let's take a look at what the device has to offer for physicians and what that might mean for the tablet market.

There certainly was quite a bit of hype surrounding Apple's February unveiling of the iPad tablet computer. Now that all of the excitement has died down, let's take a look at what the device has to offer for physicians and what that might mean for the tablet market.

Microsoft shot itself in the foot when it released Windows Vista in 2007. Windows Vista was widely derided as inferior to Windows XP, and to this day, many users have refused to upgrade or purchase a new computer with the Vista operating system.

Microsoft shot itself in the foot when it released Windows Vista in 2007. Windows Vista was widely derided as inferior to Windows XP, and to this day, many users have refused to upgrade or purchase a new computer with the Vista operating system.

Lately, I've been thinking about how fast everything moves these days. This is true in technology, medicine, business, and other important areas of our lives. Keeping up with changes in healthcare is a real challenge; just reading monthly print medical journals won't cut it anymore in the digital age. Now, practically every day I find myself looking something up on Wikipedia.

You may have seen advertisements, or may already have been contacted by people who’ve promised to help you figure it all out so you can get your share of the stimulus money. Be wary.

You may have seen advertisements, or may already have been contacted by people who’ve promised to help you figure it all out so you can get your share of the stimulus money. Be wary.

You may have seen advertisements, or may already have been contacted by people who’ve promised to help you figure it all out so you can get your share of the stimulus money. Be wary.

You may have seen advertisements, or may already have been contacted by people who’ve promised to help you figure it all out so you can get your share of the stimulus money. Be wary.

The recently enacted American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, commonly referred to as the "stimulus plan," includes more than $19 billion in incentives for physicians to adopt EHR technology.

The recently enacted American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, commonly referred to as the "stimulus plan," includes more than $19 billion in incentives for physicians to adopt EHR technology.

Does it seem like everyone in the world has suddenly created a profile on Facebook and wants to become your "friend?" If you already use social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, and Twitter, then read no further.

Does it seem like everyone in the world has suddenly created a profile on Facebook and wants to become your "friend?" If you already use social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, and Twitter, then read no further.

Does it seem like everyone in the world has suddenly created a profile on Facebook and wants to become your "friend?" If you already use social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, and Twitter, then read no further.

The hottest trend right now in mobile communications is location-based services on smartphones.

The hottest trend right now in mobile communications is location-based services on smartphones.

The hottest trend right now in mobile communications is location-based services on smartphones.

The hottest trend right now in mobile communications is location-based services on smartphones.

The hottest trend right now in mobile communications is location-based services on smartphones.

As anyone who has lugged a notebook computer through an airport can attest, even today’s sleekest machines feel heavy after a few hours.

As anyone who has lugged a notebook computer through an airport can attest, even today's sleekest machines feel heavy after a few hours.

As anyone who has lugged a notebook computer through an airport can attest, even today’s sleekest machines feel heavy after a few hours.