Freeware Medical Software
One very common end destination for Freeware programs is the Medical profession. Freeware Medical Software is a good example of the concept of freeware as used today.
Freeware Medical Software
Freeware is defined as a computer software program that is copyrighted and licensed to its creator, but is distributed to a selected group of users to use at no cost and for an unlimited time. Although it is certainly not always the motivation, community service and a genuine desire to do good with computer programs without necessarily making personal profit is what is behind the many freeware medical software available.
Computers can be very beneficial in the medical field. In so many cases, there is such a large amount of medical data that must be known, remembered, and sorted through in order to make a proper diagnosis. Anyone who has visited a doctor’s private office will remember seeing the collection of thick reference books lining the shelves. Computers are ideal for organizing and retrieving large amounts of data quickly. Since time is often a critical element in medical treatment, computers and diagnosis were a perfect match.
There are many different freeware programs being made available to doctors. The definition of freeware includes the right to designate the user group for the software, so these programs are still considered freeware even when they are being made available only to medical professionals. The freeware programs are generally concerned with such things as medical dictionaries and matching symptoms with specific diseases. Another common use is in descriptions, applications, and side effects of various drugs and medicines.
Many freeware programs are being made available for use on Physician’s hand held PDA devices. These programs can be used on the PDAs that can be carried by the doctor on his rounds giving him almost instant access to a large volume of information very quickly. The value of instant access to information can be extremely helpful in emergency situations. Medical freeware software could become part of the first aid equipment in ambulances and medical kits of Emergency medical technicians as well as doctors and nurses inside the hospital or clinic.
Freeware is often thought of as a bit altruistic in nature. Although the owners want credit and a certain amount of control for their creations, they are not making a profit on them. Although good medical software is also being developed and sold to hospitals and doctors, freeware medical software is being provided with no charges involved and few strings attached. It seems to be the attitude of creators of the software that saving life is more important than making money, and the freeware is not adding to the rising cost of medical care.