Glass, Omnifocus, and prospective memory errors

It’s been almost a week since I picked up my Glass. I’ve been experimenting with its built-in functions.

One of my colleagues in the Duke University Human Simulation and Patient Safety Center, Noa Segall, is working on research related to prospective memory errors–fascinating stuff.

I personally believe if we're able to capture our clinical to-dos quickly, we could mitigate many of these errors. One possible solution might be using the Getting Things Done (GTD) method clinically. Using voice to capture is key–especially for those of us procedurally based physicians and nurses that use our hands. Along these lines, I tried Siri, but it didn’t work well (since I had to pull my phone out of my pocket and activate the device each time I wanted to capture).

Glass changes everything! I can now capture my clinical to-dos using only my voice. Here’s how I set it up.

I added my personalized Omni Sync Server email address as one of my Glass Contacts (I named the contact OmniFocus). When I want to capture on the move, I activate Glass by tilting my head back, then saying “OK Glass, send a message to…Omnifocus.” An icon with a mic shows up in Glass indicating it’s recording. When I finish speaking, Glass automatically sends my message to the Omni Server.

When I get to my computer or iphone–my to-do is waiting for me, dutifully synced by Omni Server. I am careful NOT to include any identfiable patient information. Instead, I use operating room numbers or post-anesthesia care unit bed numbers to indicate the location of the action. Very handy and hands-free.

Glass Rocks!

My Google Glass Pickup Experience, Chelsea Market, New York City

The Tweet and the Trip-

Last week I received my Tweet telling me my GoogleGlass was ready. I wanted to fly to San Francisco to pick them up, but there were no appointments until mid-July. There were, however, appointments in New York City. I purchased an airline ticket, flying in to LaGuardia. Getting to Chelsea Market was relatively easy by cab.

Welcome to NYC. Taking a cab from LaGuardia to Chelsea Market.

Taxi Ride

I told the taxi driver the address, 75 Ninth Ave., and off we went. The cabbie was a little confused about the address first taking me to 7th Ave., but eventually, we found the right place.

Taxi Ride

Shared bikes

It had been years since I'd been to New York. During the cab ride, I shot some photos of Manhattan. Apparently Citibank now sponsors bicycles in the city. Looked tempting.

Shared bikes

Chelsea Market

We finally arrived at our final destination,  Chelsea Market. Here is a view of the building from across the street.

Chelsea Market

Google NYC

Chelsea Market is right across the street from the Google Offices in Manhattan.

Google NYC

Chelsea Clock

I arrived early, so I toured the Market. Chelsea Market is retro-very cool. Because I was early, I set up my computer at a table and got some work done. At 10:30a I set off for the Glass Studio.

Chelsea Clock

Retro Art

The first floor of the Chelsea Market has old looking art--mostly in stone. It was hard to differentiate art from old building. 

Retro Art

Elevator

I walked back to the front of the building and took the elevator to the 8th Floor.

Elevator

Down the Hallway

When I exited the elevator and looked to my right, this was my view. I headed to the reception area.

Down the hallway

Glass Couch

I was greeted by two Glass Customer Experience Representatives--extremely friendly. They looked at my invitation and checked my photo ID, then chatted with me while I waited for my "guide."

Glass Couch

The Box

My guide introduced himself and escorted me back to the studio. I was first asked to confirm the color of my device. I chose Slate. We then walked over to a workbench where we spent the next 30-40 minutes.

The Box

Pop the Top

Google did a nice job on the Glass packaging. Here is the top layer of the box.

Pop the Top

Second Layer of the Box

The second layer had the Glass Satchel, along with instructions. The bottom of the satchel is a hard case, manufactured to protect the Glass lens and camera.

SecondLayer.jpg

The Bottom Layer

The Bottom Layer had the USB charging cord / plug as well as some extra nose pieces. My guide also went through how to fit the clear and shaded lenses onto the Glass Frame.

The Bottom Layer

Studio

Here is a picture of the studio. Very open. Over the next 30 minutes, my guide fitted the device, showed me how to turn it on and off, how to connect to wireless networks, and tethered the device to my phone. He explained how to shoot pictures and video and introduced me to the few available apps.

Glass navigation is a snap, although it's not truly "hands-free." You navigate using a touchpad on the right side of the frame.

After leaving the studio, I was able to initiate a GoogleHangout with my son from the back of a cab by tethering the device to my phone. Of course, doing this gobbled up a fair amount of data usage.

Studio

Backyard and Initial Experience

Since returning home, I've been exploring the Glass software ecosystem. There are currently few apps available--reminiscent of when the iPhone was released. I'm sure there are many developers working feverishly to remedy this. I'm especially enjoying the ability to quickly shoot pictures and video. Below is a picture of our backyard taken with Glass using only voice commands--pretty decent.

My guide told me the battery will last for about an hour of continuous video recording-he typically charges overnight, while he's sleeping. This seems an accurate estimate given my two days of experimentation.

Overall, I'm impressed by the potential of Glass both in personal and professional life.

From a medical standpoint I have two comments derived from my initial use. First, the voice recognition for medical terminology needs some work (as an experiment I tried to find the dosage of several common meds using only voice commands--the only word it recognized was "Furosemide"). I'm sure Glass will improve with time. Second, there is a huge need for a HIPAA compliant GLASS environment for pictures, movies and streaming content. Many of the potential medical applications revolve around patients. Patient information (or images) cannot be sent to consumer web sites (e.g. Google+). Until someone cracks the HIPAA nut, GLASS will fail to reach its full potential in healthcare.

I'm looking forward to experimenting (carefully) with my GLASS over the next few months. I'll report back here.

Backyard and Initial Experience

My Excuse: Australia and Awards!

It’s been a great few months, I hope after I explain, you’ll understand why I haven’t been posting much. First, I found out I’ll receive the 2013 Innovation in Education Award from the International Anesthesia Research Society—a great honor that recognizes our work in the realm of games-based learning / virtual environments.

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The award recognizes and funds novel concepts or applications that improve educational programs and advance the practice of anesthesiology. I’ll be flying out to San Diego to pick up the award next week.

Next, I found out I’m one of the lucky GoogleGlass Explorers. I’ll be bringing home a pair as soon as they roll off the assembly line (hopefully in the next month or two). We have big plans for these babies. I’ll be sure to post on our experience.

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Finally, I just returned from a two-week trip to Adelaide, Australia. The Government of South Australia licensed and customized one one of our virtual environment projects (on postpartum hemorrhage) to use as a proof-of-concept for training their healthcare workforce. Our software allows geographically disperse learners to work together in a shared virtual environment, taking care of a critically ill virtual patients. We’ve incorporated a system for practicing TeamSTEPPS (an evidence-based method of teamwork and communication in healthcare. The project is / was a great success. My hosts / collaborators in Australia were fantastic.

Not to mention, the wines of the Barossa Region were phenomenal.

Now back to work!

I Got Glass

GoogleGlass

It’s been quite a busy (and fun) month for me. I have not had time to write new WiPPP entries-apologies. I plan to remedy that soon.

Anyway, I was busy working through a busy (but normal) Wednesday morning, when I received the following tweet:

@jeffreytaekman You’re invited to join our #glassexplorers program. Woohoo! Make sure to follow us - we’ll DM in the coming weeks.

Late last month, I applied for the GoogleGlass Explorer program. I figured my chances of winning were roughly equivalent to being hit by lightning. For those of you not familiar with the technology, check out the GoogleGlass Site including this video. I plan to explore Glass use in academic medicine including: clinical uses, the continuum of learning, and patient safety / quality. I will blog about my experience on WiPPP and SimSingularity. And yes, I plan to be extra careful during thunderstorms this spring.

More to follow……