WebMD Mobile

– The pocket replacement physician

Pros:

• Free
• Easy to use graphic to target symptoms

Cons:

• Limited to basic/general medical information
• Links to WebMD.com site for complete features (save time and go there first)
• Focused on basic emergency/primary care in the home
• Questionable symptom set-up screen requires patient zip code

Bottom-Line:

WebMD Mobile limits the information presented to general knowledge while forcing users to link with the WebMD.com site for more complete information. Seems better suited to the general population, much like the parent site. Pill ID option lacks a visual representation of the medication in question, which seems counterproductive for an ID option.

Final Score: 6

How often do we, as medical professionals, deal with patients who present us with their own diagnosis? The internet has created a new wave of amateur physicians who think they have Hyperemesis gravidarum or some other rare disease. With the release of WebMD Mobile, the number of amateur physicians may be poised to increase substantially.

Most medical professionals I know will reach for Up-To-Date.com if they have a question concerning treatment options rather then WebMD.com. This iPhone application still links users to WebMD.com for detailed treatment options which begs the question of why not go there first?

WebMD Mobile does offer a crude Pill ID option, allowing users to identify a pill by shape, color, or imprint. Unfortunately, users are never presented with a picture of the actual pill in order to verify visually (see Epocrates application for visual images of the actual pill). Thus the Pill ID option seems more of an afterthought since it extremely limited in its usefulness.

There is also an option to browse the “Top 200 Drugs by Name” although there is no indication as to how these were determined (i.e. by sales, searches on WebMD.com, etc…). I suppose one could search and hope their drug was listed but why take the gamble when the result is an abridged monograph listing the published prescribing information. Again, this feature seems more targeted to the general population rather then medical professionals.

The Final Say

Not recommended at all for medical professionals, more for the general population. Stick to Epocrates for your Pill ID option and drug-drug interaction information. WebMD Mobile forces uses to link with WebMD.com, forcing the program to close and the browser to open. Could have saved time and gone to WebMD.com first.

WebMD application score breakdown

ReachMD CME

– Keep a running list of available credits

Pros:

• Free
• Easy to use and search for programs
• Extensive specialty list

Cons:

• Limited to quick 0.25 credits per program (limited number of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 also)
• Must set up a ReachMD.com account to use
• Changing specialty does not refresh available program list
• Questionable personal use policy

Bottom-Line:

Like most CME content, ReachMD CME is industry sponsored which limits the topics available. It would be useful if the programs could be downloaded and listened to while off-network. I would recommend setting up a non-work/personal email account to use the system since I began receiving unsolicited emails once I activated my ReachMD.com account. Overall the program is useful if you prefer quick, 0.25 credit hours (limited 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0) while you’re stuck waiting somewhere with cellular signal or free WiFi.

Final Score: 8

Lets face it, most physicians don’t have the time to spend reading or participating in large CME programs. Quick, small credit programs offer the medical community an alternative approach to maintaining their required CME credit quota. In response, ReachMD has created an application which provides quick, 0.25 credit (although they do provide 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 credit programs as well) audio programs in a variety of medical specialties. Will the release of ReachMD CME provide the needed CME avenue craved by so many in the medical community or does it fall flat?

ReachMD CME Settings

Setting up ReachMD CME is easy enough, although I would suggest using a non-work/personal email account. Soon after I set up my account, I began receiving unsolicited emails. Since I had used my work account, this increased my daily email load significantly. I understand the need to register products for updates and provide, in this case, access to your total credits, however selling users information just seems wrong.

In order to use the program you will need to have cellular or WiFi access. This may be limiting to those who would love the option to have new CME programs in their chosen specialty downloaded automatically, allowing participation during down times or when traveling. I, for one, could have generated a significant amount of CME credits during a recent business trip where cell and WiFi access were limited.

Although the database of specialties is fairly complete, some specialties are missing, which is a bit of a disappointment. However, not all is lost as the Search feature will list those programs specific to your interest (if any are available). Recently, I was in the mood to review some of the current updates in Diabetes. Unfortunately, Diabetes is not one of the specialties listed. Although a search did bring up a series of CME programs for diabetes, having to perform this extra step is a bit of a let down. One other area of complaint is the lack of specialty listing when the program launches, instead you are offered “Featured” CME programs. Although I understand

ReachMD CME Network Error

the need to have industry sponsorship in order to produce the majority of CME programs, not allowing for a truly personalized approach limits the usefulness of ReachMD CME.

The Final Say

On the go medical professionals who don’t mind being tethered to either a cellular or WiFi network should have no issues with taping out a few CME credits from time to time. Those requiring a more robust and personal approach to earning CME credit will find ReachMD CME a bit lacking. Also, I need to caution every user to reconsider which email account they use to register the program – limiting unsolicited email is always a safe approach.

Epocrates

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Familiar interface for users on past platforms

Cons:

• Limited data due to free nature
• Pill ID useless off-network
• Additional registration set-up

Bottom-Line:

Epocrates offers the medical community a free and limited version of their subscription based service. With the continuous updates, Epocrates for the iPhone is a must have in anyones application list however, keep in mind that some of the programs functions are limited to cellular/WiFi access.

Final Score: 15

Early medical professional iPhone adopters are breathing a little easier these days with the release of Epocrates Rx. This version maintains the level of detail and substance expected from the Epocrates name while maintaining free updates (always welcome). The main complaint would be that this version in not the subscription-based, full version common on many pocket PCs and palms, it is simply a drug reference with some additions.

Most physicians will spend most of their time using the continually updated drug database monographs for over 3,300 brand and generic drugs. Those with experience using Epocrates on other platforms will find the dosing, adverse reactions, interactions, pharmacology, pricing, and medication images presented from the monographs a welcome sight.

The iPhone version also adds the ability to check for drug-drug interactions, extremely helpful when treating patients taking multiple meds. Health plan information, including Medicare Part D is also welcome, allowing users to potentially reduce pharmacy callbacks.

The addition of the pill ID is a nice touch, especially when interacting with forgetful patients.

The only problem is that some of the pill images are not in the database and you have to be online (no airplane mode) in order to see them since they are not part of the install base.

Until the full, subscription-based version of Epocrates comes to the iPhone, this version fills a much desired need. One word of caution is that the installation is two-fold – first step is to download the application from iTunes, then you must log-on via your computer and access a previous account or set up a new one before finalizing the installation.

The Final Say

Highly recommended and convenient for physician iPhone users as a first step away from your Palm or Pocket PC. Backed by the Epocrates ease of use and extensive drug database with constant updating, this is in the must-haves list of medical iPhone applications – just give yourself a few minutes during set-up.