The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is introducing a revolutionary, next-generation point-of-practice resource to the nation's pediatricians this week as the organization holds its annual National Conference & Exhibition.
The Web-based resource is called Pediatric Care Online™, and it is receiving high praise for ease-of-use and the assembly of immediate knowledge it makes available in the office and through mobile devices.
"It is fast and easy to navigate, and every hit is rewarding," said Michael Severson, MD, FAAP, who has more than 25 years experience in pediatrics. "Pediatric Care Online is going to be very valuable not only because of the amount and quality of information that it brings together in one place, but also because it's interactive and there when you need it. If you've ever wished for a point-of-care resource that you didn't have, this service probably offers it."
Through a three-year sponsorship by Mead Johnson Nutritionals, most pediatricians can enroll for a free three-month trial period, while pediatric residents can sign up for a free trial of one year.
At the heart of Pediatric Care Online's content are three of the AAP's most relied-upon practice resources: the new AAP Textbook of Pediatric Care, which is the standard reference of its kind; content from the AAP'sRed Book®, which provides detailed information on more than 200 childhood infectious diseases; and Bright Futures, the organization's comprehensive health supervision guidelines.
Homepage content is provided in an easy-to-use format that also enables quick access to an interactive periodicity schedule, patient handouts, forms and tools, an antimicrobial therapy guide, clinical calculators, algorithms and a visual library.
If all of that seems like a lot, that was the intent, according to Tom McInerny, MD, FAAP. "One of our most important goals is to provide materials to pediatricians in the way they want to use them at point-of-care," McInerny said. "We're confident that Pediatric Care Online will do that while also helping them implement best practices."
The service's mobile features are particularly appealing to residents on the go as well as practice-based pediatricians who would rather reach for their handheld device than leave the patient to use an office-based computer.
Amy Jost, MD, chair of the AAP Section on Medical Students, Residents and Fellowship Trainees, said that she's looking forward to using the mobile interface in the hospital. "In addition to being a resource for information you know you can trust, it will undoubtedly be a great time-saver and a tool that helps provide patient care more efficiently," she said.
Mobile features include an interface that will allow users of Internet-capable devices to search the Website. In addition, the service offers a broad range of content that can be downloaded to handhelds that do not have Internet access. Downloads are compatible with Palm, Windows Mobile, and Pocket PC devices. Downloadable content includes the Point-of-Care Quick Reference, Bright Futures, the Bright Futures Pocket Guide, Pediatric Drug Lookup, Interactive Periodicity Schedule, Signs & Symptoms Search, Antimicrobial Therapy Guide and Pediatric Care Updates.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Learn more at www.aap.org.
Mead Johnson Nutritionals is a world leader in nutrition, dedicated to helping provide infants and children with the best start in life. Mead Johnson Nutritionals is a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.
