The use of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets has become more common in health care settings. This has led to the rapid growth and development in medical software “apps”. There are apps designed for almost every industry and the medical laboratory profession is no exception.
Numerous apps are now available to assist practising health care professionals with education and training, clinical decision-making, patient management, information gathering, communications and consulting as well as news and referencing.
An article by talentegg.com focuses on types of apps that would be useful to those who are looking for a main resource to easily obtain current news, interesting articles and referencing tools. Here are a few apps you may want to check out:
Medical Reference Apps
Medical reference applications make for great study aids. There are a variety of free and premium apps which allow you to conveniently reference any type of medical material you need when you need it.
UpToDate
UpToDate is a clinical decision support app that contains a spectrum of medical data and is continuously updated with the latest knowledge.
http://www.uptodate.com/home/uptodate-iphone
Smart Medical Reference
The Smart Medical Reference App allows you to quickly find the right information you need when you need it. This app provides users with references to lab values, drug guides, differential diagnosis, tests and procedures, medical calculators, PubMed, and medical terminology.
http://medref.co/
LabGear
The LabGear app contains peer reviewed content for all health care professionals. This app contains a comprehensive library of medical lab tests including blood, hormone, cardiovascular, immunology and other tests.
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/labgear-medical-lab-tests/id350942163?mt=8
CellaVision
CellaVision combines a series of mini lectures with an extensive cell image library – giving students and laboratory professionals a top-line introduction to cell morphology.
http://www.cellavision.com/en/about-us
Pocket Blood Banker
Pocket Blood Banker conveniently combines two handy blood banking tools in one. Quickly reference how different genotypes interact with the 5 principal Rh antisera in the Rh Genotype Calculator and learn more about particular antibodies with the Antibody Index.
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/pocket-blood-banker/id493975110?mt=8
Academic Journal Apps
Several academic journals have their own apps. With just one touch, you have access to the latest issue of a copy of their journal. You can view articles, zoom in and out of detailed figures and access multimedia and supplementary material. One of the best features of academic journal apps is that you can download articles for offline reading, meaning you have access to them without wi-fi. Academic journal apps bring together the best of print and digital to deliver a truly enhanced and unique reading experience.
The New England Journal of Medicine
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) app contains weekly issues that combine all content from the New English Journal of Medicine print edition with key multimedia features found on the NEJM website.
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/nejm-this-week/id373156254?mt=8
The Lancet
The Lancet app offers subscribers rapid access to recently published content from The Lancet and other Lancet speciality publications. Receive alerts when new issues are available and experience innovative digital content with the newly introduced article enhancements.
http://www.thelancet.com/app
Medical News Apps
General interest news apps are excellent resources, but they may not be enough to keep you up to date on medical news specifically. MedPage Today is a free app that covers breaking medical news as well as clinical and policy content. If you are focusing on a medical specialty, you can narrow your search to articles just related to your fiend of study, such as genetics or pediatrics. Aspiring healthcare professionals should stay on top of general medical news and news specific to their speciality and this app is perfect for both.
MedPage Today
MedPage Today is the most trusted and reliable source for clinical and policy coverage directly affecting the lives and practices of health care professionals. This app gives you unlimited access to award-winning coverage and creates a personalized experience accessible from your back pocket.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/medical-news-free-cme-by-medpage/id923426813?mt=8
These resources for apps give you convenient access to reference material, specific information and breaking medical news. It is critical to be informed in the medical field so you can make the best possible decisions for your patients.