Skip to contents
In This Issue:
Karandeep Singh, MD, Clinical Fellow, Renal Division
A wearable computer in the form of eyewear, Google Glass, often simply referred to as "Glass," has become quite the spectacle in academic medical centers nationwide. At BWH, Glass has found a home in the hands and on the face of nephrologist Karandeep Singh, MD, who is working to leverage the innovative eyewear for the electronic health record. His goal is to harness Glass' capabilities to improve information access and doctor-patient interaction. BWH Bulletin sat down with Singh to learn more.
How did you become interested in Glass?
When Glass was first released last year, people in the medical community were using it in the operating room, as a way to teach students, or to get second-opinion consultations. In my world of internal medicine and nephrology, we deal with clinical data all day long, but I didn't see anyone at that time using Glass to manage clinical data. Here was this device that could wirelessly connect to the Internet and display information on an as-needed basis. I thought Glass would be a remarkable tool to interact with electronic health record information.
What impact will Glass have in the clinic?
By having access to information at the bedside, a doctor would not necessarily need to print labs or review medication lists in advance. Instead, the doctor can pull up relevant patient information onto Glass' screen while interacting with the patient.
What are some other important applications of Glass?
The ability for new or existing technology to make an impact is probably highest in rural and underserved areas. When there is a relevant problem that local experts cannot solve, they can use Glass and other technologies to refer to someone else who is more experienced. For instance, a first-line responder or emergency room doctor wearing Glass may get a second opinion from a specialist who is looking through his eyes, seeing the patient and giving feedback on how to proceed.
How did you become interested in information technology?
I began programming when I was 9 or 10 years old. My dad is a software developer and automotive engineer in Detroit, so my interest in technology began very early. When I was at the University of California, Los Angeles, as a chief resident in Internal Medicine, I developed a mobile Web platform for education that is currently being used by several departments throughout the hospital. I also developed the world's first iPod email synchronization software for Windows, allowing users to download emails to their iPod before the availability of Internet-connected iPods.