In this digital era, we carry out most of our tasks using smartphones and there is an app for pretty much everything. In a time when the world continues to become more health-conscious, people now use apps and mobile devices to manage and improve their health. Likewise, health care providers have begun to realize the benefits of mobile health apps that gears towards enhancing their practice.
As a physician in the digital age, you can run your medical practice, offer care to patients, and stay updated with the newest medical advancements in the comfort of your palm. The rapid proliferation of medical apps for physicians helps streamline your interactions with patients, thus improved results and patient experience.
However, with such a huge number of apps available, it can be overwhelming to determine which apps are actually useful and worth downloading. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best medical apps on the market as seen by countless reviews and recommendations by professionals! Read on to learn more and see how the following apps can benefit you and your practice:
1. EPOCRATES
As one of the earliest medical apps with over a million downloads, Epocrates is the gold standard of medical apps for physicians. It allows you to connect with other physicians via text through a service called athenaText, which can be useful for referrals and consults. You can also use it to access information regarding prescription and OTC medications and well as herbal and other supplements, and check them for interactions with as many as 30 drugs at one time. Additional capabilities include calculating patient measurements, verifying insurance coverage for prescription medications, and more!
This must-have robust medical reference resource is available on Android and iOS for free. Although for a yearly fee of $174.99, you can upgrade to Epocrates Pro which will give you access to extensive information on diseases, labs, clinical guidelines, and medication alternatives.
2. DOXIMITY
Doximity is a social networking app for medical professionals that allows members to securely network with other physicians and exchange information. With Doximity, you can connect with leading hospital employers, research jobs, compare salaries, and even participate in continuing medical education! And it utilizes a safe platform, so you can even send secure faxes through the app that comply with HIPAA requirements. Another great functionality is that you can call patients from your cell phone without them seeing your cell phone number. The calls appear as if they come from an office number, even when you are calling from your phone. According to Doximity, 70% of all physicians use their app!
This app is available to download for free for both Android and iOS users, but it does require users to sign up for a (free) membership.
3. LEXICOMP
Lexicomp is an intuitive medical reference app for physicians that gives you access to a wide range of knowledge. It has a massive database of diseases, particularly infectious diseases, toxicology, and oral diseases. The app also provides helpful information about medications, uses, and effects and also has medical dictionaries and calculators.
You can try Lexicomp for free for one month on Android or iOS, and then a monthly subscription will begin automatically for $29.99 per month.
4. MEDSCAPE
One of the Apple Store’s most downloaded medical apps (downloaded over a million times!), 50% of U.S. doctors use Medscape. It’s an extremely versatile medical reference app that aims to get you critical information at the point of care. It offers information regarding doses and adverse drug interactions, allows access to medical updates, and provides answers to various medical questions. Plus, the community accounts for thousands of physicians who can share experiences and give advice to each other.
Medscape is available on Android, iOS, and Kindle for free. You’ll just need to register, which is also free.
5. VISUALDX
VisualDx is an image-based medical reference app that contains a library of over 40,000 digital images showing variations of diseases in patients of diverse ages, skin types, and other diagnostics. It can be used for both diagnosing patients as well as choosing the best course of treatment. This is particularly helpful when diagnosing a rare condition.
VisualDx is available for free download on both Android and iOS, but a paid subscription is required. Every new subscription includes a free 30-day trial, and then individual subscriptions range from $39.99 to $49.99 per month, or you can contact the company for a group/institutional rate.
Did we miss any useful apps that you love? Feel free to list them in our comment section below, and don't forget to subscribe to our blog for more content like this!
