App review: NeuroMind a good resource for surgeons

March 05, 2010

11:47 AM

Mobile APP Review: Neuromind

The NeuroMind mobile application, developed by DigitalNeurosurgeon.com, is a good resource for surgeons, featuring beautiful hi-res images.

It's not without usability issues - the free version I'm running on my iPhone had me constantly zooming to make use of the images. The app provides great hi-resolution diagrams for surgeons to reference, but blowing them up is essential for viewing indicators and information. The user can “pinch zoom” or double-tap a specific area to see it more closely.

Mobile APP Review: Neuromind

Once the images are enlarged, the user can move around the diagram inspecting the different parts of the body displayed.

I encountered another interface problem with the pain indicator diagnosis charts. The charts can displayed in two ways - in a vertical list format, or in a horizontal chart. I found that the list view gives the user much more information about diagnosis, treatment and side effects, but the chart view was more aesthetically pleasing. If the developers could find a way to combine the appealing display with the most information, the user experience would be enhanced.

Mobile APP Review: Neuromind

The strengths of the NeuroMind app far outweigh its flaws. First, the amount of information provided to the user is quite substantial. The app's hi-res images of the skull, brain, spine, dermatomes (areas of skin that are mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve) and vascular images in the brain are all impressive. Each image is labeled with clear text and pointers, which despite the need for aggressive zooming, are clear and comprehensive.

Mobile APP Review: Neuromind

The medical checklist, which in my opinion should be included in just about every clinical decision support tool, is my favorite part. It includes three lists for a safe surgery that are provided by the World Health Organization. The list is very clear and easy to read, but one obvious area of improvement for the app is to allow users to check off the items on the list. Adding this interactivity would presumably prevent physicians from skipping steps.