Medscape App for iPhone updated to version 3.0

If you're using the Medscape App for iPhone, make sure to update it to version 3.0. Here's what you'll get:

• Improved Search including MEDLINE
• Pill Images & Detailed Drug Pricing
• Email Articles & CME Activities

Medscape App for iPhone® and iPod® touch: March 2011 updates

Medscape App for iPhone® and iPod® touch gets updated March 2011

Tables & Protocols Updates >
Now 100+ widely-used tables & protocols

21 new tables added, including:
• NIH Stroke Scale, Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, Modified Rankin Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, and more.

10 new infectious disease treatment tables added, including:
• Empiric and organism-specific therapy for influenza, bacterial meningitis, pericarditis, and more.

Medscape Mobile for Android

I've been using the Medscape App on my Droid X for the past few weeks.The Medscape App includes many features including:

Drug Reference

Search prescribing and safety information for over 8,000 brand, generic and OTC drugs, herbals and supplements

* Review adult and pediatric dosing, adverse effects, contraindications, cautions & warnings, pregnancy and lactation guidelines, and more
* Drug database includes:
o 6,000+ generic and brand drugs
o 1,000+ generic and brand OTC drugs
o 1,000+ herbals and supplements
* Search by drug name or browse by class
* Save commonly searched drugs to your 'Saved list'
for fast access
* Access anywhere – no Internet connection required (after full installation of app on device)

Drug Interaction Checker

Check mild interactions to serious contraindications for any combination of drugs, herbals and supplements. Allows up to 30 drugs per search

* Check interactions across our database of 8,000+ drugs, herbals and supplements
* Provides detailed information from minor to
contraindicated interactions
* Input up to 30 drugs, herbals and/or supplements per search
* Access anywhere – no Internet connection required (after full installation of app on device)

Medscape Mobile gets updated. When is the Android version coming?

According to a recent e-mail from Medscape, the Medscape Mobile iPhone app recently got several updates. I've been running this app on my iPod touch and it's been a nice pocket resource.

Many of my readers are wondering when Medscape Mobile is coming to Android. Several rumors suggested that it might get released before the end of the year, but my gut tells me that it's coming out in the first quarter of 2011.

In the meanwhile, here are a few of the updated features you'll find on Medscape Mobile for iPhone:

New Feature! Tables & Protocols
- Complete set of ACLS/PALS/NALS Protocols
- HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis & Treatment Regimens
- Adult & Pediatric Vaccination Tables
- Over 80 essential tables & protocols available

New! Drug Reference Updates
Now 7,000+ drugs, herbals and supplements
- 1,900+ drug monographs updated with additional clinical information including new indications, brand & cost updates, and more

New! Disease & Condition Reference Updates
Now 4,000+ clinical reference articles (w/images & procedure videos)
- 425+ reference articles now updated with additional clinical information including expanded treatment and medication info, and more
- 60+ new reference articles added including Mitral Valvuloplasty, Hospital Acquired Infections, Breast Imaging – Fibroadenoma, Fractional Flow Reserve Measurement, Arteries to Brain and Meninges, and more

Tables & Protocols now in Medscape's iPhone app

Tables & Protocols has now been added to Medscape's iPhone® App.

Access 80+ Tables & Protocols including:
• Complete set of ACLS/PALS/NALS Protocols
• HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis & Treatment Regimens
• Adult & Pediatric Vaccination Tables

The Medscape iPhone® app for physicians includes:
• Drug Reference Tools
– Look up in-depth information for 7,000+ brand, generic and OTC drugs
– Comprehensive drug interaction checker
• Condition & Procedure Reference
– Search 4,000+ topics including 2,500+ images
– 150+ clinical procedure videos
• Faster Search
– Find information even faster with our instant search feature – displays results as you type!

Click here to learn more about the Medscape iPhone app.

The most-desired medical app for Android is...

The most-desired medical app for Android is UpToDate. The second most-desired medical app is Medscape. These are the apps that Android users are looking for. They're looking for UpToDate and Medscape for Android, but they're not finding these apps because these apps aren't out there yet.

You can access UpToDate on any mobile device browser. That works quite well. I've even blogged about accessing UpToDate on Android.

Medscape Mobile for Android should be coming soon... (not exactly sure when, but it should be soon)

Additional medical apps for my wife's new Android smartphone

When my wife (a family physician) received her HTC Droid Incredible last week, I loaded the following medical apps on her Android smartphone:

• Epocrates
• Skyscape
• QuantiaMD

Here are some of the other medical apps I recently installed for my wife:

• MedPageToday
• Lexi-Comp
• QxMD

She may purchase a medical book through Unbound Medicine. She's using UpToDate via the super-fast mobile web browser on her HTC Droid Incredible.   If you haven't tested the web browser on this phone, you have to give it a try. It's phenomenal!

She's still waiting for an Android app from Medscape and ReachMD (so that she can listen to my Mobile Medical Minute on ReachMD). 

When's Medscape Mobile coming to Android, webOS, and Windows Phone?

Medscape Mobile is currently available for Apple iPhone, iPod touch, and BlackBerry.

When's it coming to Google Android, Palm/HP webOS, and Microsoft Windows Phone?

It's easy to get the Medscape Mobile app through iTunes and the Apple App Store. If you're a BlackBerry user, you can get Medscape Mobile (a free medical app) on your BlackBerry by visiting: medscape.com/blackberry

Is your smartphone drug database up-to-date?

There are several different drug database software solutions out there for PDAs and smartphones. How often do you update your software? The convenience of having a smartphone is that your device can get updated automatically. My smartphone auto-updates and performs a synchronization every night. So, when I wake up the next morning, I have updated information and even a few news alerts.

So, whether you're using Epocrates, Skyscape, Lexi-Comp, PEPID, Unbound Medicine, Medscape, Tarascon, or any other drug reference software, make sure you're updating your database on a regular basis.

Here's a list of new drugs on the Epocrates drug database:

• AK-Poly-Bac (bacitracin/polymyxin B ophthalmic)
• bacitracin/polymyxin B ophthalmic (generic)
• chlorzoxazone (generic for Parafon Forte DSC)
• citric acid/sodium citrate(generic for Bicitra)
• Exalgo (hydromorphone)
• Hizentra (immune globulin (human))
• lidocaine oronasopharyngeal (generic for Xylocaine oronasopharyngeal)
• lidocaine urethral (generic for Xylocaine urethral)
• losartan (first-time generic for Cozaar)
• losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (first-time generic for Hyzaar)
• Omnipred (prednisolone acetate ophthalmic)
• Oracit (citric acid/sodium citrate)
• Pennsaid (diclofenac topical)
• Pilopine HS (pilocarpine ophthalmic
• Pred-G (gentamicin/prednisolone ophthalmic)
• Qutenza (capsaicin topical)
• Tropicacyl (tropicamide ophthalmic)
• tropicamide ophthalmic (generic for Mydriacyl)
• Wilate (antihemophilic factor/von Willebrand factor complex (human))
• Xylocaine urethral (lidocaine urethral)
• Zyclara (imiquimod topical)

When's the last time you performed a sync?

Medscape Mobile for BlackBerry

Medscape Mobile is now available for the BlackBerry as a free medical app.

> FASTER & LARGER Drug Reference
Look up info in seconds for 7,000+ prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) brands and generics, including herbals and supplements.

> FASTER Interaction Checker
Quickly check interactions between drugs, herbals, and supplements - input as many drug combinations as you want.

> IN-DEPTH Medical News
Review the latest medical news in your specialty right in the app - news updated daily across 30 specialty areas.

> EASIER Navigation
Our app is designed to make it easier to look up and save drug information, read medical news, and access features.

Go to medscape.com/blackberry to install this free medical app on your BlackBerry.

CME on your smartphone

There are several ways to get CME (continuing medical education) credit by using your smartphone.  Several years ago, there were only a handful of options. Today, there are many more ways to get CME on your smartphone.

Here are some examples of medical apps, medical websites, and other smartphone resources that will allow you to participate in CME activities on your smartphone:

• Epocrates Mobile CME
• Real CME
• ReachMD
• Medscape
• Skyscape CME Stat
• QuantiaMD
• MedPageToday (mobile website)
• UpToDate (point of care CME)
• XtraCredit

This is not a comprehensive list, but you'll see that this list continues to grow each year. The bottom line is that busy physicians are looking for ways they can get their CME credit by using their smartphones. They're probably not going to spend a few hours going through a CME activity on a device that has such a small screen, but they'll spend 15 or 30 minutes reviewing something. As smartphone web browsers become more sophisticated and more powerful, we'll be capable of viewing almost any type of web page on a smartphone. This means that you'll get to view any type of online CME on your smartphone.

Top medical apps on the iPhone App Store

Right now, Medscape (from WebMD) is the #1 free medical app and iPharmacy (by SigmaPhone LLC) is the #1 paid medical app on the iPhone App Store.

You'll also notice that both Epocrates and Medscape both have over 2,000 ratings and they each have 3.5 stars (out of 5).

It's always interesting to see how these medical apps rank in the App Store. If you don't have an iPhone or iPod touch, you can view these same apps on iTunes by visiting the App Store.

Medscape iPhone app upgraded to v2.0

Medscape has updated its iPhone app to version 2.0. Here's the scoop:

Introducing Clinical Reference with Images & Videos
Simply update your Medscape iPhone App to Version 2.0 – absolutely FREE!

Have all the answers in the palm of your hand with Medscape's FREE clinical & drug reference App for iPhone® & iPod touch®.

NEW – Clinical Reference featuring:

-	Continually-updated clinical reference covering 3,200+ diseases, conditions, and procedures
-	Articles enhanced with multimedia including 2,500+ images, 150+ videos, and more
-	Peer-reviewed, evidence-based content authored by leading experts
-	Detailed step-by-step instructions on clinical procedures
-	Access anywhere – no Internet connection required

EXPANDED Drug Reference with:

-	6,000+ brand and generic drugs
-	1,000+ over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
-	1,000+ herbals & supplements
-	Access detailed drug information in seconds; plus, check interactions for up to 30 entries at once

Have you tried the Medscape iPhone app? What do you think of it? (not to be confused with the WebMD app, since Medscape is a part of WebMD)

I think it's great to see that you can now access so much content when you're offline. Traveling on the plane? No Wi-Fi? You can access 3,200+ clinical reference articles offline. Of course, to view the 2,500+ images or 150+ videos, you'll need an Internet connection.

Medscape is giving you $25 for trying the Medscape app on iPhone and iPod touch

It's happening today only (12/31/09). It's the last day of the year and Medscape is going to give you $25 if you try the Medscape app on the Apple iPhone/ iPod touch.

Today only! Receive a $25 Amazon® e-gift card (courtesy of Medscape) when you download Medscape's FREE iPhone® App — the #1 Free Medical App in iTunes®!

Two simple steps to qualify: Download Medscape's free iPhone App directly from the App StoreSM on your iPhone or iPod touch® or through iTunes® on your computer (takes less than one minute). Enter your Medscape username and password into the App home screen (one-time sign in only). There is no cost to download the Medscape App — no subscription fees or hidden costs. We'll send you a $25 Amazon e-gift card code within 7 days to the email address you have on file with Medscape. You must successfully enter your Medscape username and password into the App home screen on 12/31/09 (by 11:59pm EST) to qualify for this offer*.

Physicians are making the switch! Check out Medscape's FREE iPhone App featuring:

• Faster Drug Reference tools, including free OTCs
• Robust Drug Interaction Checker
• In-depth Medical News and Mobile CME activities (up to 2 credits) in 30 specialty areas
• Physician, Pharmacy and Hospital Directories, and more...

Distribution of medical apps on the iPhone

What's the most popular medical app on iPhones carried by health care professionals? According to a recent "Graphos" (graphically presenting interesting information) from HCP Live, here's how it breaks down:

1. Medscape (although it has more 1 star than 5 star ratings)
   
2. Epocrates (speed improvements in the latest version)
3. Diagnose the Disease Game
   
4. Diagnosaurus
5. Skyscape Medical Resources
6. 3D Head and Neck
7. Medical Encyclopedia
8. MedCalc
9. HCP Live to Go
10. The ECG Guide

So what's on your iPhone?

Have you tried Medscape Mobile for iPhone or iPod touch?

Medscape Mobile is an app for the Apple iPhone or iPod touch and here's what it offers:

• DRUG DATABASE with over 6,000 generics and brands, browse by drug class or search by drug name
• DRUG INTERACTION CHECKER - check interactions between drugs, herbals and/or supplements
• MEDICAL NEWS and mobile CME in 30+ specialty areas
• DIRECTORIES with physicians, pharmacy, and hospital listings
• AVAILABLE FREE - no cost to download application

To learn more about Medscape Mobile, click here.

Now, you may feel left out if you don't own an iPhone or iPod touch. You can still access important content by pointing your mobile web browser here: http://mobile.medscape.com