medicalstate: As the popularity of smartphone of tablet...

medicalstate:

As the popularity of smartphone of tablet computing expands, so too does the library of apps. The following is a list of iOS apps that might be of interest or use for the curious, for the learners, and for the clerks.

Laboratory

• LabDx: A reference tool for common laboratory investigations.
• Acid Plus: A calculator tool that helps tease out the type of acidotic or alkalotic process involved.
• Lytes: A basic reference to the common electrolyte abnormalities, the causes, signs, and symptoms.

Calculators

• BiliTool: An online tool that has an optimized mobile format, this tool helps calculate bilirubin levels in neonates and gives recommendations based on the risk stratification of jaundice.
• Qx Calculate: A free calculator for many of the formulas and algorithms in medicine including risk calculators and unit conversions.
• MedCalc Pro: A premium calculator that has a more streamlined design and more formulas than Qx Calculate. It also allows you to save patient values for use in multiple calculations.

Pharmaceutical

• Lexicomp: The standard for monograph information, this subscription-based app includes routine updates to the drug database for newly added medications and warnings. It includes a drug interactions calculator.
• Epocrates: For the free alternative, Epocrates continues to be a favorite among my classmates and attendings. It includes the standard dosing and regimens for medications but offers less detailed information regarding them compared to Lexicomp.

Anatomy

• Netter’s Anatomy Atlas: Netter is a household name in the world of medical illustrations and all of his anatomical plates have been compiled in this app. A good quick reference of study tool.
• Pocket Anatomy/Essential Anatomy: Moving into the third dimension, these two apps despite a premium price, a useful study tool for anyone interested in medicine.
• Muscle System Pro III: For the anatomical enthusiast wishing to see muscles in all their detail and intricacies. Premium.
• Skeleton System Pro III: For the anatomical enthusiast wishing to see bones in all their detail and intricacies. Premium.
• Brain and Nervous System Pro III: For the anatomical enthusiast wishing to see nerves in all their detail and intricacies. Premium.

Radiology

• Radiology 2.0: One Night in the ED: A case-based radiological app that goes through the common presentations with a methodical approach.

Clinical

• Medscape: A basic app that includes drug interaction calculator, a procedures reference and daily news in the world of medicine.
• Eponyms: For the medical student, half the battle is learning the language of medicine. Eponyms explains the common and obscure terms and signs of medicine named after their discoverers. 
• Bugs and Drugs: A reference tool for antimicrobial therapy, the dosing guidelines and the sensitivity tables of all antibiotics.
• PEPID: A clinical companion tool that provides summary information around conditions, include a brief explanation of the condition, the investigations, differential, and the treatment plan. Written in a concise form for the learner on the go.
• UpToDate: The clinical companion tool that is a favourite among the attendings. This subscription-based app comes in both an online or offline version and mirrors the desktop counterpart. Including in-depth review of disease states and clinical pearls surrounding therapy.
• DxSaurus: A differential diagnosis generator that works around your working diagnosis or the symptoms you see.

Reference

• The Merck Manual: Professional Edition: A digital, pocket version of the original reference. Disease states can be searched by section or by symptom.
• Toronto Notes 2012: While not exactly an app, this textbook is an excellent reference for any medical student and is one that I read during quiet moments on shift. A digital copy of this textbook stays with me in my eBooks library.
• Principles and Practice of Hospital Medicine: This is also not an app but an eBook. An excellent reference for internal medicine, it offers great deal of information and clinical pearls for the hospitalist. 

Tools

• Google Translate: For the moments where language is a barrier, this could be the only useful way to gather patient information.
• Flashlight: For the times on call where we do not want to disturb other patients in a dark room as we make our way around.
• Evernote: A note-taking tool to keep and sort out clinical pearls or to document clinical moments.
• Drive/Dropbox: A cloud-based service like Drive or Dropbox offers an opportunity to store algorithms, guidelines, or textbooks that you can access anywhere. Now available on your phone or tablet.

Review

• USMLE World QBank: For the medical student preparing for exams, the QBank is an important resource to have.

This list is by no means exhaustive but is a good starting point for readers out there interested in finding medical apps. What apps do you use?

Posted on infosnack.