Apps & Mobile-Friendly Medical Websites: Accessing Clinical Information on your Smart Phone

Faculty & Staff DevelopmentJan 31, 2011

Robin Featherstone, MLISClinical Medicine Librarianrfeathe@uwo.ca

Presentation available at: http://www.slideshare.net/featherr

Estimates:

7 billion mobile apps downloaded in 2009....

There will be 50 billion by 2012 (Chetan Sharma Consulting, 2010)

3,000 apps in the “medical” section of the App Store for iPhone (Husain, 2010)

Objectives

By the end of the workshop, you will know how to: 1.Install apps and connect to mobile-friendly medical information tools2.Access evidence-based information from a smart phone

Medical Info on your Smart Phone1. Browser-dependent “Mobile Friendly” Tools

UpToDate http://mobile.uptodate.com/

Western Libraries mobile websitehttp://m.lib.uwo.ca/

PubMed for Handheldshttp://pubmedhh.nlm.nih.gov/

Mobile Friendly Tools

PROS CONSAvailable on all web-enabled phones

Require an Internet connectionRequire log in to Western Libraries’ Proxy server to connect from off-campus for subscription tools (UpToDate)

Medical Info on your Smart Phone

2. Downloadable Apps

DynaMed

Medscape

ePocrates Rx

Micromedex

.... And many, many, more

Downloadable Apps

PROS CONSOnce installed, do not require an Internet connection

Device dependent (more available apps for iPhone than Android)

Fast, reliable May have to re-install after a subscription period Must download updates regularly

What mobile medical tools have you used?

Criteria for Selecting a Resource

1. Soundness of evidence-based approach2. Comprehensiveness and specificity3. Ease of use4. Availability

Levels of Evidence Pyramid

FILTERED

UNFILTERED

Systematic Reviews of Randomized Controlled Trials

Critically Appraised Topics

Randomized Controlled Trials

Cohort Studies & Case Reports

Case Controlled Studies

Less TimeLess WorkLess Evidence

More TimeMore WorkMore Evidence

Accessing Mobile Tools www.lib.uwo.ca/programs/clinicaloutreach

• Recommended Tools for Mobile Devices

Filtered Tools

• Dynamed – Install on your device (instructions provided)

• UpToDate – Access from Western Libraries’ Website

• Micromedex – Install from App Store (iPhone) OR

• ePocrates Rx – Install from web (iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm, Android, Windows Mobile):

http://www.epocrates.com/products/rx/

SEARCHING EXERCISESFILTERED TOOLS

Exercise – Answer the Following Questions

1.What is the prognosis for a patient with Bell’s Palsy?

2.What tests should be ordered to diagnose Lyme Disease?

3.What is an appropriate second-line topical treatment for atopic dermatitis?

4.What is the proper dosage of Digoxin for a 2 year old?

5.Are there any drug interactions between Tacrolimus, Fluconazole, Gabapentin and Aspirin?

Unfiltered Tools

• PubMed• CINAHL

Access through Western Libraries Mobile Website: http://m.lib.uwo.ca/

Exercise – Find Articles

1. Are there any randomized controlled trials comparing weight gain by patients with Schizophrenia taking Risperidone vs. Olanzapine?

2. Are there any studies assessing quality of life for patients following mastectomy?

3. Are there any recent studies on behavioral interventions to help patients quit smoking?

Follow-up

• How easy was it to find Evidence-Based clinical information on your phone?

• What resource was easy to use? • Which was difficult to use? • Which resource will you use again?

Tips & Resources

•Good starting place: http://www.lib.uwo.ca/programs/clinicaloutreach/guidetohandhelddevices.html

•Good website for staying up to date with medical apps:http://www.imedicalapps.com/

QUESTIONS

Taylor Librarytayref@uwo.ca519-661-3168 x83168

Presentation available at: http://www.slideshare.net/featherr