Stethoscope App Gains 3 Million Downloads - By Doctors!
by Joe White
September 1, 2010
If you thought Doctor Who's sonic screwdriver was the coolest device a doctor could possess, then think again. Because, according to recent data posted by Cult of Mac, over three million physicians have downloaded iStethoscope - an application that (quite successfully) turns your iPhone into a stethoscope!
If you're not familiar with the app, its concept is quite simple: iPhone owners launch the app, plug in a pair of earphones (preferably high-quality headphones), and use the handset's built-in microphone to monitor a "patient's" heart rate.
And, with a little practice, it can work rather well indeed. As Peter Bentley (a researcher at University College London) states, correct practice can produce "a wonderful, clear sound." In addition to this, he also made the following statement:
Smartphones are capable of saving lives, saving money and improving health care in a dramatic fashion.Currently, 80% of doctors are expected to be using a Smartphone by 2012. However, I can see this figure rocketing if devices such as the iPhone are thrust further into the medical world. I'm not saying the iPhone will ever replace the stethoscope. But, if someone on the street collapses, and an iPhone-toting doctor is passing by, I can imagine iStethoscope coming in handy. You can check out iStethoscope in the App Store - it's currently priced at $0.99, and is available now! [gallery]
