New Phone Decision (Apps, etc.)

[Laeno]

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Hey everyone, I tried to do a search to find a solid answer to this, but I couldn't find anything that really answered my question, so here goes.

I need a new phone (moved for residency, going to switch carriers, old phone--Galaxy S1--is in bad shape). My hospital uses EPIC, and I own an iPad, so I can use it for rounding, etc. I like my android phone and initially lean towards the Galaxy S4 over the iPhone 5 (my top two choices). However, with the possibility of using my iPad on a regular basis, I've considered going with the iPhone, for better app compatibility. Of course, I feel like lugging around an ipad in the ED would be a pain, so I'd likely only use my phone there, anyway.

Speaking of apps, it seems like most of the highly recommended apps are available for both operating systems. Are there any out there that are huge that I should check for availability on both platforms? Obviously, if I pay for full epocrates (debatable) or something, I could only use it on one OS.

Anyway, if people have thoughts/opinions/advice/app suggestions, I'm all ears/eyes. Thanks in advance!

 

[dotcb]

Personal preference, but I like Iphones. I'd also splurge for PEPID, maybe use residency education stipend for it.

 

[RustedFox]

Personal preference, but I like Iphones. I'd also splurge for PEPID, maybe use residency education stipend for it.

I vote for android phones, especially the new DROID 4. Its the only model that I could get that had a legit keyboard (slide-fashion) so you dont randomly tap at a screen and guess what it is that you've just hit. Hate that.

A word about PEPID. Its decent software, but you won't get enough use out of it during your intern year to justify the cost, seeing as how you'll be off-service over half the time. WikEM is free and is better in my book. I bought PEPID during my intern year and convinced two of my classmates to do so as well. We all wished that we spent our educational stipends in better ways, and I had to play the "I'm sorry, dudes" game. If you must have it, find someone else who has it, play with it for a bit to see if you like it, then wait until you're a PGY-2 to buy it.

Do not spring for the full Epocrates. Waste of money. Big time.

I have PediSafe (4.99 or something), which is basically an e-Broselow tape. I don't see a lot of peds, but I'm glad that I have it.

 

[RustedFox]

Also, don't forget about the most important app of all: Angry Birds.

 

[deuist]

Been happy with my Galaxy S2. Will definitely upgrade once my contract expires in December.

 

[Aesculapius]

Ditto on the WikEM. That, free Epocrates, Medscape, and QXCalc is enough to get you by...

 

[Old_Mil]

The platforms are essentially equal with regards to medical apps. The best deal right now is walmart's Straight Talk plan. You will probably be a generation behind the cutting edge when it comes to phones but will save about 2000 over the course of a three year residency if you are willing to use a ghetto phone worse than the ones your patients have.

Sent from my SCH-M828C using Tapatalk 2

 

[Laeno]

Thanks for all the input guys. It's been a big help.

And of course I have angry birds. For my iPad, I also have Plants Vs. Zombies for killing time (and zombies).