Virtual medical assistant methods and apparatus

In some aspects, a method of using a virtual medical assistant to assist a medical professional, the virtual medical assistant implemented, at least in part, by at least one processor of a host device capable of connecting to at least one network is provided. The method comprises receiving free-form instruction from the medical professional; providing the free-form instruction for processing to assist in identifying from the free- form instruction at least one medical task to be performed, providing at least one first response to the medical professional regarding the free-form instruction prior to the at least one medical task being performed, and receiving first information from the medical professional responsive to the at least one first response.