The majority (51 percent) of physicians who own smartphones use apps in clinical work settings, according to a survey conducted by American EHR Partners.
Below, five physicians share the apps that have proven the most useful in their day-to-day practice.
Kim Greene-Liebowitz, MD | Emergency physician, White Plains (N.Y.) Hospital
Favorite app: Epocrates
"I work in the emergency department, and Epocrates is the most helpful [app]," says Dr. Greene-Liebowitz. "I use it so much because it's incredibly helpful in determining dosing, prescriptions" and similar data, she says.
Michael D. Klein, MD | Pediatrician, Children's Hospital of Michigan (Detroit)
Favorite app: pingmd
Dr. Klein's most-used app makes him available by text message to his patients' families. The app supports photo and video to help better explain the ailment, and Dr. Klein can forward one of the 'pings' on to colleagues and staff members.
"It makes me a hero to my patients and their families," he says.
Wilbur Su, MD | Cardiologist, Banner Good Samaritan Hospital (Phoenix)
Favorite app: Micromedex
Micromedex is a "medication database which is comprehensive and very easy to navigate for pertinent information about use of a drug," says Dr. Su. "It automatically updates with the latest information."
"I use it all the time," he says.
Kurian Thott, MD | Gynecological surgeon, Stafford (Va.) Hospital
Favorite app: instaRounds
"I really like the instaRounds app, which we use in my practice every day, for patient sign out," says Dr. Thott. "It has improved patient safety features and improved physician communication features."
Charles Tullius, MD | Anesthesiologist, Jefferson Regional Medical Center (Pittsburgh)
Favorite app: Anesthesiologist
"My favorite app is simply called 'Anesthesiologist,'" says Dr. Tullius. "Just plug in the patient's weight and age, and it provides doses of many common drugs, including emergency drugs."
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