Overview | System Requirements | Authentication | Download | Manage Content | Tutorial & Supporting Materials | Contact Us

FIRSTConsult is an evidence-based clinical information tool designed for use at the point of care on both desktop and laptop computers. It is part of the MD Consult clinical knowledge base system which synthesizes findings from journals and respected references in collaboration with an Editorial Board of respected authors and opinion leaders. The content is updated weekly.

FIRSTConsult handheld (13MB), a sub-set of the FIRSTConsult knowledge base, is delivered through the POCKETConsult platform which brings you Differential Diagnoses and Medical Condition Files with cardinal features, immediate action , summaries of investigative tests, efficacy of therapies, summaries of therapeutic options, bookmarks, stored searches and more.

FIRSTConsult is available to WSU affiliates. To access FIRSTConsult on your mobile device, you need to:

• Use your SoM email credentials or WSU AccessID and password for remote access/downloading
• Download both POCKETConsult Reader and FIRSTConsult content
• Sync FIRSTConsult to your mobile device

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

School of Medicine students, faculty and staff:

All School of Medicine (SoM) users are strongly recommended to use SoM Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access library resources remotely. It facilitates access to WSU resources from the Detroit Medical Center facilities and any other non-WSU remote location (e.g. at home) with any Web browser and Internet connection.

1. Go to: http://vpn.med.wayne.edu
2. Enter the same login ID (e.g. zsmith) and password you use for your SOM e-mail account
3. Then add Shiffman Medical Library bookmark on your VPN website
• Click "+" on the "Web Bookmarks" bar
• Enter WSU Shiffman Medical Library in the Bookmark Name box and http://www.lib.wayne.edu/shiffman in the "URL" box
• Click "Add Bookmark" button
4. Now click the WSU Shiffman Medical Library link to access any library electronic resources (e.g. e-journals, e-books, databases, clinical tools, etc.)

Until you sign out you will be recognized by the university network - without the need for additional passwords. If you are a SoM affiliate and do not have an e-mail account, go to http://accounts.med.wayne.edu to obtain these credentials.

University Employees:

University employees can use the identical service by pointing your browser to: http://vpn.wayne.edu and using the WSU Access ID/PipelineID (e.g. ab1234) and its password for access. If you require assistance on locating your AccessID and password, please visit WSU C&IT website http://computing.wayne.edu/accessid/aboutaccessid.php for instructions.

University Students (Non-School of Medicine)

University students can access library resources remotely by using the library system's EZproxy server. Always start your search for library resources from the Shiffman Medical Library web page. (Do NOT use WSU Pipeline to access library resources). When attempting to access a resource that requires WSU authentication, a screen pops up and asks for a user ID and password. Enter your WSU AccessID/Pipeline ID and password to validate entry. Then click the "Submit" button which directly links you to a database or other restricted resource. If this does not work for you, you may consider using WSU's proxy Server to access library resources limited to WSU users instead. Go to C&IT site for instructions on how to setup your web browser for WSU proxy server.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

Important: MobiPocket Reader version 5 or higher does not work smoothly with FIRSTConsult. Please follow the instrucitons below to download MobiPocket reader 4.x. You can use this reader to read ebooks from NLM and review articles from Emedicine.

You need to have admin privilege (i.e. be the owner of a computer) to download the FIRSTConsult. Please sync your device twice to install both the application and content. You can manage your PDA products including FIRSTConsult, calculators, drug updates and MDC news through the POCKETConsult website.

If you have a POCKETConsult account but need to download the POCKETConsult Reader, go to step 2 .
If you have a POCKETConsult account and have downloaded the POCKETConsult Reader, go to step 3 .

Step 1: Creating a POCKETConsult Account

• Go to FIRSTConsult website
  Note: If you access this site remotely (e.g. from DMC or home), please read authentication for details.

• Now you are on the FIRSTConsult web page. Click the tab "myPOCKETConsult". If you have had an account, log into your POCKETConsult account. If you are the first time user, click the button "CREATE NEW ACCOUNT" and setup your account. After creating a POCKETConsult account, you will automatically come to your download summary page.
  

• Note: If you have a hybrid mobile device (e.g. PPC smartphone without stylus), you need to select "Manual Download" option listed under your user profile. Follow the instruction on the screen and upload the program to your mobile device and run the installation program (cab file). Continue following the instructions on the screen to find and enter PID on the screen. Then go to FirstConsult to synchronize the FIRSTConsult content to your device. You probably can launch your FIRSTConsult by tapping the FIRSTConsult file listed under "My Documents".

Step 2a: Downloading PocketConsult Reader (For new users and non phone mobile device)

• Click the "Install Reader" button and follow the instructions to download and install POCKETConsult Reader and default channel content to your PDA, and Mobipocket Web Companion to your computer automatically.

Step 2b: Downloading PocketConsult Reader (For existing users and non phone mobile device)

• Remove Mobipocket Reader prior to installation to ensure a successful downloading.

• Login to your POCKETConsult account and click the "INSTALL READER" link on the top toolbar and follow the instructions to download and install the programs.
  

• On your "MyPOCKETConsult" page, click the "Library" link on the top toolbar. Scroll down to the Library section and click the "MODIFY SELECTIONS" button. All the Elsevier PDA titles to which we subscribed are listed under "My Library" page.

• Select the "Download to Device" or ""Download to Memory Card" option listed under the Action column and Click the "SAVE for NEXT SYNC" button.

Step 4: Perform Active Sync Twice. The first time will install the POCKETConsult application. The second time will synchronize your content to the PDA.
Note: Make sure that you have checked POCKETConsult listed under the options of your ActiveSync program.

Step 5: Tap the POCKETConsult from your PDA start menu to launch POCKETConsult. Then tap "Library" to access FIRSTConsult which includes three components: Differential Diagnosis, Medical Conditions and Search.

MANAGE CONTENT

TUTORIALS & SUPPORTING MATERIALS

FIRSTConsult online tutorial
This tutorial demonstrates how to use Differential Diagnoses tool with information on over 1,800 possible diagnoses, how to browse hundreds of Medical Condition files, and how to employ other user-friendly features.

POCKETConsult User Guide (PDF)
A complete POCKETConsult introduction including FAQs.

CONTACT US

For further assistance regarding downloading, installing, or accessing this application, please contact us by an email or call the Information Station at 313-577-1094. We can also provide individual consultation to assist with the download and installation process.

Please send us your comments/suggestions.

Last edited: 04/24/08