Busy physicians: These electronics will help you stay organized

By Naveed Saleh, MD, MS, for MDLinx
Published January 16, 2019

Key Takeaways

A clinician faces a myriad of responsibilities. So, being organized can help you do your job more efficiently without wasting time preparing for a task. Advances in technology can give you more time during the day to do what's most important: provide compassionate care to your patients.

Let's take a look at five hassle-free electronic devices that can help you keep organized.

Multidevice charging stations

Multidevice charging station, amazon.com

So, you have one charger but multiple devices to charge. What to do? Consider a multidevice charging station. Burns Electronics offers a station with four USB ports (three regular plus one USB-C) and a Qi wireless charging pad. This charging station is an Amazon's Choice device with a rating of 3.9 of 5 stars. It's available for around $40

Apple Watch Series 4

Apple Watch Series 4, amazon.com

Not only is the Apple Watch a cool accessory, but it's loaded with functionality that can help you keep organized and productive. Although an iPhone offers many of the same features, you don't have to fumble through your pockets to find the Apple Watch—all you need to do is lift your wrist. With the Apple Watch, you can set up email notifications, schedule reminders for meetings, and access Siri. In addition, this device can help you monitor your heart health with built-in ECG technology, as well as your workouts with its multi-activity tracker that can measure regular workouts, as well as new additions like yoga, and hiking. You can also load it with apps to further boost your productivity.

The Apple Watch Series 4 comes in a variety of models, case materials, and band types to fit your specific needs and wants. Prices start at $399.

Digital recorders

Digital recorder, amazon.com

In the days of yore, voice recording was cumbersome. A doctor had to deal with microcassettes, which filled quickly and required playback for transcription on another clunky device. Nowadays, digital recorders have taken the place of microcassette recorders and often provide enough memory to last months or years. Plus, you can always expand the memory on your digital recorder using microSD cards.

Digital recorders are discreet and require only the touch of a button to start recording. For playback, you can simply hook the recorder up to your laptop via a USB cable. Digital recorders are perfect for seeing patients, attending meetings, and participating in conferences. They are also rechargeable using a USB port, eliminating the need to constantly buy batteries, which was another problem with the old microcassette recorders.

Currently, Amazon's Choice is the Sony ICDUX560BLK stereo digital voice recorder with built-in USB, priced at about $82 and rated at 4.5 of 5 stars.

Smart notebook

Smart notebook, amazon.com

If you're still using a regular pen and paper to take important notes, it's probably time for a change. With a smart notebook, you take notes in a special notebook and then, using an app on your phone, scan the documents to be sent to the cloud. You can easily designate whether to send the notes to Google Docs, Dropbox, iCloud, Evernote, or email.

Amazon's Choice is the Rocketbook Wave Smart Notebook, which works in conjunction with the Frixion pilot pen. Frixion ink turns clear under heat, and the Wave Notebook is specially designed to be microwave safe. Their paired functionality makes clearing and reusing the smart notebook as simple as popping it into the microwave. The Wave Notebook holds a rating of 3.8 of 5 stars on Amazon, with a cost of about $27. A 7-pack set of Frixion pilot pens will run you about $10, available at many office supplies stores such as Staples, as well as on Amazon.

Power charger

Power charger, amazon.com

We've all been there: Caught at a meeting or conference with a dead smartphone and nowhere to charge it. Instead of going on a scavenger hunt for an outlet, which will likely be occupied, opt for a portable power charger. The device can provide hours of electricity and still fit in your pocket. The Anker PowerCore 26800 is available on Amazon for about $56 and boasts a rating of 4.5 of 5 stars. It has three USB ports and is compatible with most USB-charged devices, including Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks.

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