AMA App Challenge enters final stretch

It's now down to 10 finalists for the 2011 AMA App Challenge, the American Medical Association's contest for medical students, residents and physicians to come up with ideas for a smartphone or tablet application.

Hundreds of contestants entered the challenge, and five finalists each were selected from the physician category and resident/medical student category. One app idea will be selected from each category based on a vote by AMA members. They have until Sept. 30 to cast their ballots online.

In the physician category:

• Medical Calculator Series: Breast cancer. This would be one in a series of AMA medical calculator apps that gather commonly used formulas, guidelines, values and calculations.
• Rounder. This app replaces the index cards for physicians keeping track of hospitalized patients.
• What's Not Covered. This app would help physicians determine what bacteria/fungus/mold/parasite/virus is not covered by a patient's antimicrobial region.
• Mobile Surgery Card. With this app, surgeons could access and modify templates listing material/device preferences for a particular surgery that can be sent to the OR.
• Duty Hours. This app would help residents track and log shift times, categorize hours, organize patient lists and receive auto alerts to achieve greater program compliance.

In the resident/medical student category:

• Physician Disaster Preparedness. Preparedness education, disaster information and assistance opportunities would be delivered with this app.
• AMA Physician Advocacy. This app would provide information and calls to action as well as connect users with advocates and political representatives.
• JAMA Clinical Challenge. Case studies for users to test and improve diagnostic skills would be delivered with this app.
• Smart Flash Cards. This app would turn any piece of medical information into a customized flashcard with images, texts and personal notes.
• Residency Application Tracker. This app would help fourth-year medical students track residency applications, interviews, program notes and correspondence.

The two winning apps will be announced in November at the AMA Interim Meeting in New Orleans. The winners will receive $2,500 in cash and prizes and a trip for two to New Orleans for the unveiling of their ideas. The AMA will develop the two winning apps.