Mayo Clinic has launched an iPhone application that allows people to check medical symptoms, find self-care advice and even make doctor appointments with a few taps on a touch-screen.

Mayo Clinic Symptom Checker, which was launched last week and can be downloaded free, is among the first medical advice apps to be created and endorsed by a major hospital. It has already been downloaded by several thousand users.

"We want to meet the needs of our patients and consumers," said Scott Eising, director of advanced markets and product development.

Star Tribune, by Megan Hanson, 3/9/2010

Tags: iPhone app, Scott Eising, Social Media, symptom check