My Health Checklist 2012 app contains evidence based preventative health advice for patients

Review of the My Health Checklist 2012 App from Proven Health Ways, Inc.

My Health Checklist 2012 app contains evidence based preventative health advice for patients

Review of the My Health Checklist 2012 App from Proven Health Ways, Inc.

My Health Checklist 2012 app contains evidence based preventative health advice for patients

Review of the My Health Checklist 2012 App from Proven Health Ways, Inc.

Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

Post image for Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

In the bygone years prior to the dawn of mobile devices, students and residents were sent into the intellectual battlefields that are the wards of the hospital, armed with little more than a stethoscope as their weapon, and a white coat as their armour.

While white coats don’t offer much protection against the sting of a preceptor’s difficult “pimp” questions or the weariness of frequent electrolyte abnormality pages, they do offer trainees a valuable commodity: pocket space.

Though we are now able to cram a virtually unlimited amount of information into our pockets via our mobile devices, just a few short years ago, pocket books and pocket cards were the weapons of choice. There were few weapons more efficient than a well-designed set of pocket cards; they were a potent combination of critical information presented in a compact package available for extremely quick reference.

But times change, and white coat real estate is increasingly occupied by mobile technology. I admittedly do find pocket cards to be quicker in terms of looking up critical information at times, but as one begins carrying multiple pocket cards, this speed advantage is lost. There is only a finite space available, and mobile devices are increasingly being tapped to fulfill this role.

In a bid to stay on top of trends, Borm Bruckmeier has translated their Wards 101 Essentials Pocketcard Set, which covers common emergency, internal medicine, and ICU topics, to the iPhone and iPad via a universal iOS app.

The Wards 101 i-pocketcards app is a straight digital conversion of the physical cards. There is a “classic view” available for users to view the cards in their original white coat form. The iPad is naturally better suited to displaying the cards in classic view, while the iPhone version will necessitate cumbersome zooming in and out to achieve a legible image size.

All 10 faces of the pocket card set are present in the app.

IMG_0930_alt
IMG_0121_alt

Luckily, the app doesn’t stop at just being a glorified pdf version of the original cards. The developers have broken down the information into categories that one can browse in the “table of contents” section. Selecting a section will display the information in a screen-optimized format that eliminates the need for cumbersome zooming, even on an iPhone screen.

IMG_0934_alt
IMG_0933_alt
IMG_0122_alt

While pocketcards are by nature largely not particularly interactive, the developers have tried to increase the functionality of the app by adding buttons to the SLUMS exam, so that one can administer the exam while inputting the scores while the app calculates a total score.

IMG_0123_alt

Overall, Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a good digital conversion of the physical set of reference cards. All the critical information found in the physical cards is present and accounted for.

However, the problems that plague the conversion of handbooks to electronic form still exist here. As addressed by us in previous reviews and commentary, these include issues about the relatively small amount of information in these apps compared to the amount of information that can possibly be packed into the digital format.

Other issues include the downward pressure on App Store prices and Apple’s 30% cut on every transaction, affecting every publisher’s bottom line. To the developers’ credit, they have priced the app at $5.99, which is cheaper than what I have seen in stores ($14.99).

The information presented in this app is nice and condensed; I could definitely imagine myself carrying it with me on an internal medicine, emergency or critical care rotation. The choice between the physical or digital version is solely up to personal preference, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of both.

If in doubt, a visit to a medical bookstore allows one to skim over all the charts, formulae and content contained within the app, and also helps one to decide whether a physical or digital version is best suited to one’s individual needs.

Likes:

  • Concise collection of important information needed on the wards
  • Priced below that of the physical reference cards

Dislikes:

  • While the presented content is very important, its scope is limited to that of the physical reference cards

Price:

  • $5.99

Conclusion:

  • Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a digital conversion of the physical reference cards; choice of a version will depend on individual preference.

iTunes Link

Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

Post image for Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

In the bygone years prior to the dawn of mobile devices, students and residents were sent into the intellectual battlefields that are the wards of the hospital, armed with little more than a stethoscope as their weapon, and a white coat as their armour.

While white coats don’t offer much protection against the sting of a preceptor’s difficult “pimp” questions or the weariness of frequent electrolyte abnormality pages, they do offer trainees a valuable commodity: pocket space.

Though we are now able to cram a virtually unlimited amount of information into our pockets via our mobile devices, just a few short years ago, pocket books and pocket cards were the weapons of choice. There were few weapons more efficient than a well-designed set of pocket cards; they were a potent combination of critical information presented in a compact package available for extremely quick reference.

But times change, and white coat real estate is increasingly occupied by mobile technology. I admittedly do find pocket cards to be quicker in terms of looking up critical information at times, but as one begins carrying multiple pocket cards, this speed advantage is lost. There is only a finite space available, and mobile devices are increasingly being tapped to fulfill this role.

In a bid to stay on top of trends, Borm Bruckmeier has translated their Wards 101 Essentials Pocketcard Set, which covers common emergency, internal medicine, and ICU topics, to the iPhone and iPad via a universal iOS app.

The Wards 101 i-pocketcards app is a straight digital conversion of the physical cards. There is a “classic view” available for users to view the cards in their original white coat form. The iPad is naturally better suited to displaying the cards in classic view, while the iPhone version will necessitate cumbersome zooming in and out to achieve a legible image size.

All 10 faces of the pocket card set are present in the app.

IMG_0930_alt
IMG_0121_alt

Luckily, the app doesn’t stop at just being a glorified pdf version of the original cards. The developers have broken down the information into categories that one can browse in the “table of contents” section. Selecting a section will display the information in a screen-optimized format that eliminates the need for cumbersome zooming, even on an iPhone screen.

IMG_0934_alt
IMG_0933_alt
IMG_0122_alt

While pocketcards are by nature largely not particularly interactive, the developers have tried to increase the functionality of the app by adding buttons to the SLUMS exam, so that one can administer the exam while inputting the scores while the app calculates a total score.

IMG_0123_alt

Overall, Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a good digital conversion of the physical set of reference cards. All the critical information found in the physical cards is present and accounted for.

However, the problems that plague the conversion of handbooks to electronic form still exist here. As addressed by us in previous reviews and commentary, these include issues about the relatively small amount of information in these apps compared to the amount of information that can possibly be packed into the digital format.

Other issues include the downward pressure on App Store prices and Apple’s 30% cut on every transaction, affecting every publisher’s bottom line. To the developers’ credit, they have priced the app at $5.99, which is cheaper than what I have seen in stores ($14.99).

The information presented in this app is nice and condensed; I could definitely imagine myself carrying it with me on an internal medicine, emergency or critical care rotation. The choice between the physical or digital version is solely up to personal preference, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of both.

If in doubt, a visit to a medical bookstore allows one to skim over all the charts, formulae and content contained within the app, and also helps one to decide whether a physical or digital version is best suited to one’s individual needs.

Likes:

  • Concise collection of important information needed on the wards
  • Priced below that of the physical reference cards

Dislikes:

  • While the presented content is very important, its scope is limited to that of the physical reference cards

Price:

  • $5.99

Conclusion:

  • Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a digital conversion of the physical reference cards; choice of a version will depend on individual preference.

iTunes Link

Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

Post image for Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

In the bygone years prior to the dawn of mobile devices, students and residents were sent into the intellectual battlefields that are the wards of the hospital, armed with little more than a stethoscope as their weapon, and a white coat as their armour.

While white coats don’t offer much protection against the sting of a preceptor’s difficult “pimp” questions or the weariness of frequent electrolyte abnormality pages, they do offer trainees a valuable commodity: pocket space.

Though we are now able to cram a virtually unlimited amount of information into our pockets via our mobile devices, just a few short years ago, pocket books and pocket cards were the weapons of choice. There were few weapons more efficient than a well-designed set of pocket cards; they were a potent combination of critical information presented in a compact package available for extremely quick reference.

But times change, and white coat real estate is increasingly occupied by mobile technology. I admittedly do find pocket cards to be quicker in terms of looking up critical information at times, but as one begins carrying multiple pocket cards, this speed advantage is lost. There is only a finite space available, and mobile devices are increasingly being tapped to fulfill this role.

In a bid to stay on top of trends, Borm Bruckmeier has translated their Wards 101 Essentials Pocketcard Set, which covers common emergency, internal medicine, and ICU topics, to the iPhone and iPad via a universal iOS app.

The Wards 101 i-pocketcards app is a straight digital conversion of the physical cards. There is a “classic view” available for users to view the cards in their original white coat form. The iPad is naturally better suited to displaying the cards in classic view, while the iPhone version will necessitate cumbersome zooming in and out to achieve a legible image size.

All 10 faces of the pocket card set are present in the app.

IMG_0930_alt
IMG_0121_alt

Luckily, the app doesn’t stop at just being a glorified pdf version of the original cards. The developers have broken down the information into categories that one can browse in the “table of contents” section. Selecting a section will display the information in a screen-optimized format that eliminates the need for cumbersome zooming, even on an iPhone screen.

IMG_0934_alt
IMG_0933_alt
IMG_0122_alt

While pocketcards are by nature largely not particularly interactive, the developers have tried to increase the functionality of the app by adding buttons to the SLUMS exam, so that one can administer the exam while inputting the scores while the app calculates a total score.

IMG_0123_alt

Overall, Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a good digital conversion of the physical set of reference cards. All the critical information found in the physical cards is present and accounted for.

However, the problems that plague the conversion of handbooks to electronic form still exist here. As addressed by us in previous reviews and commentary, these include issues about the relatively small amount of information in these apps compared to the amount of information that can possibly be packed into the digital format.

Other issues include the downward pressure on App Store prices and Apple’s 30% cut on every transaction, affecting every publisher’s bottom line. To the developers’ credit, they have priced the app at $5.99, which is cheaper than what I have seen in stores ($14.99).

The information presented in this app is nice and condensed; I could definitely imagine myself carrying it with me on an internal medicine, emergency or critical care rotation. The choice between the physical or digital version is solely up to personal preference, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of both.

If in doubt, a visit to a medical bookstore allows one to skim over all the charts, formulae and content contained within the app, and also helps one to decide whether a physical or digital version is best suited to one’s individual needs.

Likes:

  • Concise collection of important information needed on the wards
  • Priced below that of the physical reference cards

Dislikes:

  • While the presented content is very important, its scope is limited to that of the physical reference cards

Price:

  • $5.99

Conclusion:

  • Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a digital conversion of the physical reference cards; choice of a version will depend on individual preference.

iTunes Link

Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

Post image for Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

In the bygone years prior to the dawn of mobile devices, students and residents were sent into the intellectual battlefields that are the wards of the hospital, armed with little more than a stethoscope as their weapon, and a white coat as their armour.

While white coats don’t offer much protection against the sting of a preceptor’s difficult “pimp” questions or the weariness of frequent electrolyte abnormality pages, they do offer trainees a valuable commodity: pocket space.

Though we are now able to cram a virtually unlimited amount of information into our pockets via our mobile devices, just a few short years ago, pocket books and pocket cards were the weapons of choice. There were few weapons more efficient than a well-designed set of pocket cards; they were a potent combination of critical information presented in a compact package available for extremely quick reference.

But times change, and white coat real estate is increasingly occupied by mobile technology. I admittedly do find pocket cards to be quicker in terms of looking up critical information at times, but as one begins carrying multiple pocket cards, this speed advantage is lost. There is only a finite space available, and mobile devices are increasingly being tapped to fulfill this role.

In a bid to stay on top of trends, Borm Bruckmeier has translated their Wards 101 Essentials Pocketcard Set, which covers common emergency, internal medicine, and ICU topics, to the iPhone and iPad via a universal iOS app.

The Wards 101 i-pocketcards app is a straight digital conversion of the physical cards. There is a “classic view” available for users to view the cards in their original white coat form. The iPad is naturally better suited to displaying the cards in classic view, while the iPhone version will necessitate cumbersome zooming in and out to achieve a legible image size.

All 10 faces of the pocket card set are present in the app.

IMG_0930_alt
IMG_0121_alt

Luckily, the app doesn’t stop at just being a glorified pdf version of the original cards. The developers have broken down the information into categories that one can browse in the “table of contents” section. Selecting a section will display the information in a screen-optimized format that eliminates the need for cumbersome zooming, even on an iPhone screen.

IMG_0934_alt
IMG_0933_alt
IMG_0122_alt

While pocketcards are by nature largely not particularly interactive, the developers have tried to increase the functionality of the app by adding buttons to the SLUMS exam, so that one can administer the exam while inputting the scores while the app calculates a total score.

IMG_0123_alt

Overall, Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a good digital conversion of the physical set of reference cards. All the critical information found in the physical cards is present and accounted for.

However, the problems that plague the conversion of handbooks to electronic form still exist here. As addressed by us in previous reviews and commentary, these include issues about the relatively small amount of information in these apps compared to the amount of information that can possibly be packed into the digital format.

Other issues include the downward pressure on App Store prices and Apple’s 30% cut on every transaction, affecting every publisher’s bottom line. To the developers’ credit, they have priced the app at $5.99, which is cheaper than what I have seen in stores ($14.99).

The information presented in this app is nice and condensed; I could definitely imagine myself carrying it with me on an internal medicine, emergency or critical care rotation. The choice between the physical or digital version is solely up to personal preference, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of both.

If in doubt, a visit to a medical bookstore allows one to skim over all the charts, formulae and content contained within the app, and also helps one to decide whether a physical or digital version is best suited to one’s individual needs.

Likes:

  • Concise collection of important information needed on the wards
  • Priced below that of the physical reference cards

Dislikes:

  • While the presented content is very important, its scope is limited to that of the physical reference cards

Price:

  • $5.99

Conclusion:

  • Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a digital conversion of the physical reference cards; choice of a version will depend on individual preference.

iTunes Link

Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

Post image for Medical App that replaces the reference cards in your white coat, Wards 101 i-pocketcards review

In the bygone years prior to the dawn of mobile devices, students and residents were sent into the intellectual battlefields that are the wards of the hospital, armed with little more than a stethoscope as their weapon, and a white coat as their armour.

While white coats don’t offer much protection against the sting of a preceptor’s difficult “pimp” questions or the weariness of frequent electrolyte abnormality pages, they do offer trainees a valuable commodity: pocket space.

Though we are now able to cram a virtually unlimited amount of information into our pockets via our mobile devices, just a few short years ago, pocket books and pocket cards were the weapons of choice. There were few weapons more efficient than a well-designed set of pocket cards; they were a potent combination of critical information presented in a compact package available for extremely quick reference.

But times change, and white coat real estate is increasingly occupied by mobile technology. I admittedly do find pocket cards to be quicker in terms of looking up critical information at times, but as one begins carrying multiple pocket cards, this speed advantage is lost. There is only a finite space available, and mobile devices are increasingly being tapped to fulfill this role.

In a bid to stay on top of trends, Borm Bruckmeier has translated their Wards 101 Essentials Pocketcard Set, which covers common emergency, internal medicine, and ICU topics, to the iPhone and iPad via a universal iOS app.

The Wards 101 i-pocketcards app is a straight digital conversion of the physical cards. There is a “classic view” available for users to view the cards in their original white coat form. The iPad is naturally better suited to displaying the cards in classic view, while the iPhone version will necessitate cumbersome zooming in and out to achieve a legible image size.

All 10 faces of the pocket card set are present in the app.

IMG_0930_alt
IMG_0121_alt

Luckily, the app doesn’t stop at just being a glorified pdf version of the original cards. The developers have broken down the information into categories that one can browse in the “table of contents” section. Selecting a section will display the information in a screen-optimized format that eliminates the need for cumbersome zooming, even on an iPhone screen.

IMG_0934_alt
IMG_0933_alt
IMG_0122_alt

While pocketcards are by nature largely not particularly interactive, the developers have tried to increase the functionality of the app by adding buttons to the SLUMS exam, so that one can administer the exam while inputting the scores while the app calculates a total score.

IMG_0123_alt

Overall, Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a good digital conversion of the physical set of reference cards. All the critical information found in the physical cards is present and accounted for.

However, the problems that plague the conversion of handbooks to electronic form still exist here. As addressed by us in previous reviews and commentary, these include issues about the relatively small amount of information in these apps compared to the amount of information that can possibly be packed into the digital format.

Other issues include the downward pressure on App Store prices and Apple’s 30% cut on every transaction, affecting every publisher’s bottom line. To the developers’ credit, they have priced the app at $5.99, which is cheaper than what I have seen in stores ($14.99).

The information presented in this app is nice and condensed; I could definitely imagine myself carrying it with me on an internal medicine, emergency or critical care rotation. The choice between the physical or digital version is solely up to personal preference, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of both.

If in doubt, a visit to a medical bookstore allows one to skim over all the charts, formulae and content contained within the app, and also helps one to decide whether a physical or digital version is best suited to one’s individual needs.

Likes:

  • Concise collection of important information needed on the wards
  • Priced below that of the physical reference cards

Dislikes:

  • While the presented content is very important, its scope is limited to that of the physical reference cards

Price:

  • $5.99

Conclusion:

  • Wards 101 i-pocketcards is a digital conversion of the physical reference cards; choice of a version will depend on individual preference.

iTunes Link

Monster Anatomy Upper Limb iPad app is a decent radiographic introduction to the upper limb

Post image for Monster Anatomy Upper Limb iPad app is a decent radiographic introduction to the upper limb

Monster Anatomy was prominently featured in older Apple commercials for the original iPad with their Lower Limb Anatomy app.

iMedicalApps did a full text and video review of the app last year.

This impressive app was well received by us, although one of its major limitations was the fact that it only covered the lower limb.

This has now changed with Monster Anatomy releasing a similar app covering the Upper Limb.

Upper Limb covers an area ranging from the shoulder down to the hand and presents detailed anatomical information in the same fashion as its predecessor.  Monster Anatomy has provided detailed interactive transverse, coronal and sagital radiographs of the Upper limb.

The fantastic user interface is easy to use and it is simple to scroll through the upper limb using either touch gestures or the sequential arrows. The actual radiographs can be zoomed and manipulated using pinch-to-zoom which is handy for examining fine detail.

02_alt

It is possible to select either Bones, Joints, Muscles, Vessels, or Nerves along a bottom tab which will then be illustrated on the actual radiograph. What is particularly impressive is that selecting a different tab will change the representation in the two 3D representations (see screenshots for details).

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04_alt
05_alt
06_alt
07_alt

The ability to follow a particular structure throughout the app is useful and is accomplished by selecting a label and using the arrows to navigate through the upper limb. The selected label will flash and this can be tracked throughout the images.

The level of detail is high and individual features can be clearly picked out of the high resolution images. It should be noted that this does not cover the sternoclavicular joint which is associated with stabilizing the upper limb.

08_alt
09_alt
10_alt
11_alt

This app also has a number of uses for educating patients and could easily be used at the bedside to illustrate pathologies such as carpal tunnel syndrome (refer to screenshot).

12_alt

One of our dislikes was the fact that only one side is presented and unfortunately this has still not changed. As a result it is difficult to appreciate the symmetry and the anatomical differences between left and right.

However, the stability issues previously discussed do seem to have been solved (although this review was done on an iPad 2).

Price:

  • $18.99 – This seems quite expensive given the fact that only the upper limb is shown. This may price a number of medical students out of the market and a number of healthcare professionals may think twice about purchasing this app.

Likes:

  • Ability to scroll throughout the whole upper limb smoothly whilst tracking anatomical structures
  • Anatomical features are clearly labeled allowing you to test your knowledge
  • Detailed radiographic images

Dislikes:

  • Shows only one side of the body
  • Only covers the upper limb – for this price, would be nice to include more than just the upper limb

Overall Rating:

  • Monster Anatomy HD – Upper Limb would be particularly useful to students who are looking to transfer their gross anatomical knowledge to actual radiographs
  • The clear labels and ability to select and track different anatomical features is useful and complemented by the high resolution images
  • Despite the high price and lack of both upper limbs, this app will be useful for those who are trying to understand radiographic gross anatomy or interested in informing patients.

iTunes link:

Monster Anatomy Upper Limb iPad app is a decent radiographic introduction to the upper limb

Post image for Monster Anatomy Upper Limb iPad app is a decent radiographic introduction to the upper limb

Monster Anatomy was prominently featured in older Apple commercials for the original iPad with their Lower Limb Anatomy app.

iMedicalApps did a full text and video review of the app last year.

This impressive app was well received by us, although one of its major limitations was the fact that it only covered the lower limb.

This has now changed with Monster Anatomy releasing a similar app covering the Upper Limb.

Upper Limb covers an area ranging from the shoulder down to the hand and presents detailed anatomical information in the same fashion as its predecessor.  Monster Anatomy has provided detailed interactive transverse, coronal and sagital radiographs of the Upper limb.

The fantastic user interface is easy to use and it is simple to scroll through the upper limb using either touch gestures or the sequential arrows. The actual radiographs can be zoomed and manipulated using pinch-to-zoom which is handy for examining fine detail.

02_alt

It is possible to select either Bones, Joints, Muscles, Vessels, or Nerves along a bottom tab which will then be illustrated on the actual radiograph. What is particularly impressive is that selecting a different tab will change the representation in the two 3D representations (see screenshots for details).

03_alt
04_alt
05_alt
06_alt
07_alt

The ability to follow a particular structure throughout the app is useful and is accomplished by selecting a label and using the arrows to navigate through the upper limb. The selected label will flash and this can be tracked throughout the images.

The level of detail is high and individual features can be clearly picked out of the high resolution images. It should be noted that this does not cover the sternoclavicular joint which is associated with stabilizing the upper limb.

08_alt
09_alt
10_alt
11_alt

This app also has a number of uses for educating patients and could easily be used at the bedside to illustrate pathologies such as carpal tunnel syndrome (refer to screenshot).

12_alt

One of our dislikes was the fact that only one side is presented and unfortunately this has still not changed. As a result it is difficult to appreciate the symmetry and the anatomical differences between left and right.

However, the stability issues previously discussed do seem to have been solved (although this review was done on an iPad 2).

Price:

  • $18.99 – This seems quite expensive given the fact that only the upper limb is shown. This may price a number of medical students out of the market and a number of healthcare professionals may think twice about purchasing this app.

Likes:

  • Ability to scroll throughout the whole upper limb smoothly whilst tracking anatomical structures
  • Anatomical features are clearly labeled allowing you to test your knowledge
  • Detailed radiographic images

Dislikes:

  • Shows only one side of the body
  • Only covers the upper limb – for this price, would be nice to include more than just the upper limb

Overall Rating:

  • Monster Anatomy HD – Upper Limb would be particularly useful to students who are looking to transfer their gross anatomical knowledge to actual radiographs
  • The clear labels and ability to select and track different anatomical features is useful and complemented by the high resolution images
  • Despite the high price and lack of both upper limbs, this app will be useful for those who are trying to understand radiographic gross anatomy or interested in informing patients.

iTunes link: