blackberry medical software

[operationivy]

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Just got a new Blackberry but it seems as if Palm if better for medical software (i.e. Epocrates). Does anyone have any more info on this subject? Epocrates and other common programs do not seem to be compatible with the Blackberry.

 

[cyclingmo]

Just got a new Blackberry but it seems as if Palm if better for medical software (i.e. Epocrates). Does anyone have any more info on this subject? Epocrates and other common programs do not seem to be compatible with the Blackberry.

Don't even know what Epocrates is or does. You might get a better response asking your question in the Medical students forum.

 

[Epocrates]

As early as November, clinicians will be able to use the Epocrates drug reference on a BlackBerry device. Stay tuned to http://www.epocrates.com for the latest info on the release.

 

[Blade28]

Just out of curiosity, why did you choose a BlackBerry? Corporate email?

 

[smq123]

Don't even know what Epocrates is or does. You might get a better response asking your question in the Medical students forum.

Epocrates is a program for PDAs/palm pilots. It includes a bunch of tools and articles that are useful for clinicians - specifically, a drug index. There is a free version (which contains only the drug index, I believe), and a paid version, which includes a differential diagnosis generator and explains different lab tests.

Just got a new Blackberry but it seems as if Palm if better for medical software (i.e. Epocrates). Does anyone have any more info on this subject? Epocrates and other common programs do not seem to be compatible with the Blackberry.

Other programs are not compatible with the Blackberry, even if epocrates is. Honestly, if you're a pre-med, this is not a concern right now. I never used epocrates until this year, and it is not a difficult program to learn how to use. Even if you get a Blackberry now, you might be in line for an upgrade when you actually have to really use a PDA everyday.

 

[Blade28]

We all got a flyer saying Epocrates will be available for the BlackBerry soon.

But I agree that if you're looking for PDA medical software, you're better off with a Palm or PocketPC (I've owned both).

BTW, the free version of Epocrates is fine with me - I'd never use the other tools anyway.

 

[TheRealMD]

Epocrates is a program for PDAs/palm pilots. It includes a bunch of tools and articles that are useful for clinicians - specifically, a drug index. There is a free version (which contains only the drug index, I believe), and a paid version, which includes a differential diagnosis generator and explains different lab tests.



Other programs are not compatible with the Blackberry, even if epocrates is. Honestly, if you're a pre-med, this is not a concern right now. I never used epocrates until this year, and it is not a difficult program to learn how to use. Even if you get a Blackberry now, you might be in line for an upgrade when you actually have to really use a PDA everyday.

If you're going to spend $200-$300 on a Blackberry only to discover that you need a different phone during your clinical years, you might care then.

 

[smq123]

BTW, the free version of Epocrates is fine with me - I'd never use the other tools anyway.

I agree - my school allowed a free trial download of the paid version of Epocrates. The other tools aren't very useful and I never use them at all.

If you're going to spend $200-$300 on a Blackberry only to discover that you need a different phone during your clinical years, you might care then.

Well, the OP already bought a Blackberry.

It was too complicated to get into (particularly on a pre-med forum), but since you asked....the value of the other programs that you can put on your PDA is questionable.

For starters, practically all other medically related software is not free, and can be kind of expensive. I also don't know how useful these programs actually are, since there are computers every 5 feet in most hospitals, and are available to help you look stuff up.

Other software that is free (such as DxSaurus) is not useful - I've never used it.

There are other free programs, such as the OB wheel, which SUCKS. I'd rather use a real OB wheel, but I've never been able to get my hands on one. The PDA program for that was lousy.

I also had a free MMSE program on my PDA, which was not useful, since you can find paper copies of the MMSE all over any psych floor.

So, basically, my point was - the OP has a blackberry, which will eventually be compatible with Epocrates. Any other programs, which are not blackberry compatible, are of questionable use. It's up to the OP to decide if she/he needs those programs or not. Since the OP is still a pre-med, and years away from the clinical years, trying to figure that out is going to be pretty difficult.

 

[TheRealMD]

I agree - my school allowed a free trial download of the paid version of Epocrates. The other tools aren't very useful and I never use them at all.



Well, the OP already bought a Blackberry.

It was too complicated to get into (particularly on a pre-med forum), but since you asked....the value of the other programs that you can put on your PDA is questionable.

For starters, practically all other medically related software is not free, and can be kind of expensive. I also don't know how useful these programs actually are, since there are computers every 5 feet in most hospitals, and are available to help you look stuff up.

Other software that is free (such as DxSaurus) is not useful - I've never used it.

There are other free programs, such as the OB wheel, which SUCKS. I'd rather use a real OB wheel, but I've never been able to get my hands on one. The PDA program for that was lousy.

I also had a free MMSE program on my PDA, which was not useful, since you can find paper copies of the MMSE all over any psych floor.

So, basically, my point was - the OP has a blackberry, which will eventually be compatible with Epocrates. Any other programs, which are not blackberry compatible, are of questionable use. It's up to the OP to decide if she/he needs those programs or not. Since the OP is still a pre-med, and years away from the clinical years, trying to figure that out is going to be pretty difficult.

Oh, I say this because one of the schools I am interested requires a Palm Treo for Epocrates as well as other programs on rounds.

 

[Jacks Mannequin]

I wonder if you could get those on the iPhone. I know it doesn't support any 3rd party apps, but I wonder if anyone has successfully hacked it.

 

[cyclingmo]

I wonder if you could get those on the iPhone. I know it doesn't support any 3rd party apps, but I wonder if anyone has successfully hacked it.

The phone itself is pretty powerful, I think it's just a matter of time.

 

[nick_carraway]

The phone itself is pretty powerful, I think it's just a matter of time.

ePocrates was developing a version for the iPhone but in light of the recent update which will brick any iPhone with 3rd party software installed, I doubt that ePocrates is continuing to devote manpower to the project until Apple changes their policy.