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The variety of health-related multimedia available for your iPod (or other MP3 player) and online amusement continues to grow. First we had healthcare podcasts, then health news videocasts from the BBC, followed by 999 (111, 911) advice to store on your iPod. Soon your iPod will help you understand how to take your medicine.

medicines.org.uk already makes a selection of patient information leaflets (PILs) available on the web in written form (just in case the dog ate yours). One potential advantage that the site already offers (aside from reading up on what your neighbour is taking) is that you can access large font versions of the leaflets. While this is a potential boon for people with some visual impairment, it doesn't help those who have problems reading or have a severe visual impairment. The next step may seem obvious.

Who doesn't have an iPod or similar device these days? While I can't see this appealing to Granny, a select few may enjoy the opportunity to download PILs as MP3s so they can replay the harmful side effects they stand to experience from taking their medicines. I'm sure, however, that terms like "liver damage" and "sudden death" will loose their threatening edge when delivered by means of a reassuring sing-song voice.

I know of patients who take maybe 15-20 different medications. If it takes several minutes to record each leaflet, you could fly from Birmingham to Frankfurt with nothing on your playlist but dosage instructions and the like. Great... I'll not be so quick to flick through an in-flight magazine in future.

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