Manuscript Manager™, CBE Style

"SMELL THE ROSES" (upper-case letters are the program's). The program thought I didn't smell the roses because I was leading too hectic a life. Although busy, I do nonetheless take time for such things, but I answered "No" to that question because of rather severe allergies! Nevertheless, as a patient who had just spent a considerable amount of time entering the data, I was pleased the program remembered everything and wrote it out so my doctor wouldn't miss a thing. I liked the program's concern for my welfare with its prevention recommendations. I was beginning to feel it was human, at least until the "ROSES" episode. Then I entered fictitious data regarding a 47-year-old, obese, widowed, factory worker with high blood lipids, chest discomfort, and a family history rampant with cardiovascular disease. The program picked up on the cardiovascular disease, but its recommendations were generally no stronger than they were for me, even though I have a good cardiovascular history. That fact bothered me, partly because it introduced the suspicion that the machine was not human after all and was only throwing out suggestions as a reflex. The severity was considered, however, when calculating the probable lifespan: although the patient was younger than I, he could only expect to live to age 69. Given the history I entered, however, I rather doubt the patient would have survived another 22 years. Although this program will probably not be considered state-of-the-art after a few years, it is an excellent, user-friendly, and reasonably priced adjunct to medical care that could profitably be used by physicians to make sure important data are not missed and to ensure reasonable recommendations of a preventive nature. Moreover, something else that is essential with software is very well provided; if you have problems, the program's developer is accessible by telephone, and he is friendly and helpful. If you want what this program offers, I doubt you could find more for the money.