Essential apps for health care professionals: Streamlining care, education and wellness

From new medical research to changing clinical guidelines and health care policy, there’s a lot to stay on top of when you’re studying or practicing medicine. Many students and DOs rely on smartphone apps to help them manage their hectic schedules, stay current with clinical guidelines and access research.

That’s why The DO has curated a list of the top apps that can make studying and practicing medicine easier. We connected with several DOs, including members of The DO’s editorial advisory board, and have compiled their top recommendations here.

“There are some great apps out there that make clinical decision-making, studying and prescription price-checking more efficient. They’re super handy for inpatient and outpatient settings and can benefit patients, too,” said Stephanie Lee, DO, MS, a resident and member of The DO’ s editorial advisory board.

From study aids and diagnostic tools to productivity boosters, the apps below can empower physicians and medical students to work smarter.

Clinical decision support & medical references

These apps are vital tools for physicians and medical students. With access to accurate, evidence-based information in real time, clinicians are able to improve patient care, reduce medical errors and enhance clinical outcomes.

• Epocrates (recommended by Alyssa Cole Mixon, DO, and Gene Tekmyster, DO)—Epocrates is a widely used tool that provides health care professionals with quick access to a wealth of clinical information. Drug references, disease guidelines, medical calculators and diagnostic tools are just some of the app’s features. Epocrates also includes patient management resources, making it a valuable tool for everyday medical practice.
• MDCalc (recommended by Dr. Lee, Dr. Cole Mixon and Kasia Marciniec, DO)—MDCalc is a free online medical reference designed to provide health care professionals with point-of-care decision-support tools, such as medical calculators, scoring systems and algorithms. Available as both a web and mobile app, MDCalc’s tools are grounded in published clinical research and developed by physician authors.
• Nerve Whiz (recommended by Dr. Tekmyster)—Nerve Whiz is a free app designed to help medical professionals learn the complex anatomy of nerve roots, plexuses and peripheral nerves. Developed by Zach London, MD, Nerve Whiz provides detailed information, charts and diagrams intended to help users understand nerve and muscle functions. While Nerve Whiz is a valuable educational tool for visualizing nerve anatomy and understanding motor and sensory loss, it is not intended to be used for clinical decision-making.
• UpToDate (recommended by Aerial Petty, DO, and Janae Rasmussen, DO)—This is a leading clinical decision support app that offers evidence-based medical information for health care professionals. UpToDate allows users to access clinical topics, drug information and treatment recommendations anytime, anywhere. Users can also bookmark topics, view their history and share content with colleagues and patients. Please note that UpToDate is only available for iOS devices, and an individual or institutional subscription is required for use. Medical students can receive 50% off of an UpToDate subscription via their AOA membership; residents who are AOA members can receive 20% off of their UpToDate subscription. More information about these discounts is available on Osteopathic.org.
• USPSTF Prevention TaskForce (recommended by Dr. Petty and Dr. Rasmussen)—Developed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), this app supports primary care physicians by helping them identify appropriate screening, counseling and preventive medication services for their patients. Users may also search for current guidelines based on patient characteristics. While the app provides valuable recommendations, it is not intended to replace clinical judgment or individualized patient care.

Preventive care & screening tools

Staying informed on the latest preventive care guidelines can help physicians provide personalized, evidence-based care to patients.

• ASCCP Management Guidelines (recommended by Dr. Petty)—The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) app offers a streamlined way to navigate guidelines for abnormal cervical cancer screening tests and precursors. The guidelines focus on detecting and treating precancer more effectively, while minimizing interventions that do not prevent cancer and could harm reproductive health.
• BoneGauge (recommended by Dr. Rasmussen)—This app is designed to approximate an individual’s bone density and quality by measuring the cortical thickness of the second metacarpal on hand or wrist x-rays. Using a smartphone camera, physicians can take or upload photos of x-rays to obtain approximate bone density.

Medical education

These recommendations offer comprehensive resources for students and professionals to deepen their knowledge and enhance their clinical skills. The following apps support exam preparation, clinical decision-making and improved patient care through evidence-based education.

• AMBOSS Medical Knowledge (recommended by Dr. Lee)—A comprehensive medical resource designed for medical students, AMBOSS Medical Knowledge offers a vast library of evidence-based medical content, including detailed articles, clinical guidelines and interactive tools. AMBOSS is a particularly useful tool for exam preparation, including the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
• Pedi STAT (recommended by Dr. Marciniec)—Developed by an emergency medicine physician, Pedi STAT provides rapid references for health care professionals working with pediatric patients in critical care or emergency environments. Features allow users to access necessary information quickly, minimizing the risk of medical error and allowing physicians to spend more time caring for their patients.

Patient (and physician) resources

Together, these apps offer a well-rounded approach to overall wellness. Both patients and physicians can benefit from maintaining physical, mental and financial health.

• Down Dog (recommended by Dr. Cole Mixon)—Down Dog offers fresh, unique yoga practices. It provides a variety of styles and allows users to personalize their practice to ensure every session is tailored to their personal needs. The app is intended for everyone from beginners to experienced yogis. Monthly and annual membership options are available.
• GoodRx (recommended by Dr. Lee)—GoodRx is a free service that helps patients find the lowest prices for prescription medications at both local and online pharmacies. Widely used by individuals without insurance or with high-deductible plans, the app provides coupons and discount codes that can help alleviate the financial burden of costly medications.
• Headspace (recommended by Dr. Cole Mixon)—Headspace is a comprehensive app designed to support mental health, mindfulness and meditation. The app is designed to help users manage anxiety, improve sleep and build resilience. Free trials are available to new users, and paid subscriptions are available both monthly and annually.

Professional networking

Stay informed, expand your network and streamline communication within the medical community with these professional resources.

• Doximity (recommended by Dr. Cole Mixon, Dr. Tekmyster and Dr. Petty)—Also known as the “LinkedIn for doctors,” Doximity is a professional networking platform designed specifically for health care professionals. Through this platform, physicians, nurses and other providers can connect, collaborate and securely share information.
• My AOA (recommended by The DO staff)—The official app of the AOA provides easy access to news, tools and resources for osteopathic physicians and medical students. Member benefits, events, continuing medical education (CME) tracking, advocacy information, community discussions and more are available on My AOA.

Enhancing care & efficiency

While we’ve highlighted some of our favorite recommendations, this list is by no means exhaustive. Did we miss any of your go-to resources? Share your recommendations in the comments, so that we may continue to learn, grow and collaborate together.

From clinical decision support and educational resources to preventive care and patient management, these apps serve as essential companions for physicians and medical students alike. By using these resources, health care professionals can provide high-quality, evidence-based care while also improving their own efficiency and effectiveness in an increasingly demanding health care landscape.

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