Medscape
App store rating: 3.7/5 stars
Medscape is a top choice for physicians and advanced practitioners because it allows you to access a variety of tools, and it’s free to use. The information in the app is well-organized. From a comprehensive list of drugs, their dosages, interactions and warnings, to the latest guidelines, the Medscape app allows its users to access to the most up-to-date information quickly. You can also read news and overviews of different procedures, utilize calculators to help determine a patient’s risk of certain conditions or diseases, and access guidelines through the app’s Decision Point Feature.
Medscape is also well known for its wealth of free CME opportunities. You can access the free CMEs by searching in the app by topic, or, if you’d prefer to stay better organized and keep your CME credits separate from your other resources, Medscape also has a CME-specific app called Medscape CME and Education, which is free to download.
The biggest complaint is the advertisements in the app, but considering all the resources and the amount of free information available in the app, it’s worth the download.
Pepid
App store rating: 4.7/5 stars
If you want to avoid the advertisements prevalent in the Medscape app but still want access to high-quality diagnostic tools, drug information and resources to help with patient education, Pepid is a good choice. It should be noted, though, Pepid is a paid app and requires a subscription. If you want to try it before you commit, the developers offer a free two-week trial period.
Like Medscape, Pepid allows you to utilize a plethora of different calculators, check drug interactions and keep up with relevant news and alerts. It also allows you to earn CME credits while doing so. Perhaps one of the most helpful but potentially overlooked features of the app is the way it allows you to take and save notes on different topics or pieces of information within the app, and it also allows you to flag resources so you can quickly revisit them when you’re ready.
The majority of user complaints about the app have to do with the way it displays on different devices. However, the app developers are incredibly responsive to user complaints and are constantly working to optimize its performance. If you choose to download the app and subscribe, you should be able to get in touch with someone who can help if you run into any difficulties.
Epocrates
App store rating: 4.5/5 stars
Epocrates has been around for a long time. It’s a point-of-care medical app which, like others, allows you to access clinical guidelines, drug and coverage information, and calculators. What sets it apart, though, is by upgrading and accessing its paid features, you get additional content, including lab and diagnostic information. The paid features also include information about alternative treatments and ICD-10 codes. Users tend to like how the information found within the app is clear and concise. Medical apps are able to provide a wealth of information to physicians and advanced practitioners, but the information in the Epocrates app is easily digestible, making it a better option when you need to be able to find and read something quickly.
Users’ biggest complaint is the app tends to freeze with the latest update. If users continue to experience issues with the app, they are encouraged to reach out to customer support via email for solutions.
VisualDx
App store rating: 3.7/5
VisualDx is unique because it’s primarily a medical image resource which helps ensure diagnostic accuracy. This helps make it a top choice for dermatologists, but it’s also widely used by physicians and advanced practitioners in a variety of specialties and settings. You can visualize variations of different diseases without having to risk relying on questionable sources from Google images. Many physicians and advanced practitioners also find it helpful to use when they’re educating their patients. Another plus? You’re able to earn CME credit by searching within the app.
Some users complain about the price of the app, but you’re able to take advantage of a free trial before subscribing to the service, and the price is comparable to other medical apps.
UpToDate
App store rating: 4.0/5
UpToDate is a clinical decision support resource with easily accessible, regularly updated content on nearly 12,000 topics. According to the app’s website, what sets it apart from similar apps is its return on investment; research has shown facilities whose clinicians widely utilize the resource demonstrate improved patient care, and patient outcomes are better.
Like other similar apps, you’re able to earn CME credits in a way that flows seamlessly with your routine workflow by accessing the information it contains. Generally, UpToDate is a well-liked app, and its minor user complaints are typically addressed by app developers both in comments on app store reviews and in regular app updates.
About the author
John Menzies
Vice President of Technology
John Menzies joined LocumTenens.com as Vice President, Technology in July of 2020. Prior to joining the LocumTenens.com team, John spent over 25 years building innovative technical solutions to meet business challenges in a variety of engineering and technical leadership roles in the manufacturing, e-commerce, security software and media industries. He has expertise in designing and building software products, including mobile and tablet apps, websites and big data processing systems. John graduated from Villanova University with a degree in electrical engineering and holds a U.S. software patent for “Methods and Systems for Traffic Event Priority and Reporting.” He also received a Professional Achievement Award from the Villanova University Electrical & Computer Engineering Department and was part of the award-winning team at The Weather Channel that received a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award and a Technology Association of Georgia Excalibur Award. He lives in Roswell, GA with his wife, their three children and their dog.
