The search for the perfect app for rotations

[DrShake]

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So in my search for the perfect App to help me through my 3rd and 4th rotations, I found that none really exist. I was looking for something that I could use when I am presenting my assigned patient to my attending. There are so many content related apps (lab values, DDx, drug info, etc) but don't really need any of that. There really wasnt anything designed specifically for med students rounding (at least in the apple world) that fit that so I decided to go ahead a build the PERFECT app...

I figured I wanted to make an app not just for me, but for all med students to help with rounds/grand rounds.

I would really like to hear peoples thoughts on what they would want in their idea of the perfect app for rounds. In the brainstorming phase right now

Also, if there's anyone out there that would be interested in really helping developing the app (ideas, testing, feedback, etc), send me a PM.

Tentative app name: "Grand Rounds"

 

[duckie99]

Here's the problem you have: you don't have the knowledge base necessary to make an app that is good for all fields. No one person has that knowledge. That's why there's all these different resources for each and every field. For example, the absolute best thing for IM and the IM subspecialties is "Pocket Medicine" because it literally has just about everything you need to know (honestly, it does... I've been told this by multiple fellows in multiple fields). Basically you see a patient, look up the stuff, make sure your plan has the info listed in this book. If you could get a great app of this book (there is one but not so great) that would make you a bunch of money (obviously you'd need permission from the authors/publishers/etc).

Now I agree there seems to be a lack of good resources for other fields. There is no pocket medicine type book... Sure there is a "pocket surgery" but from what I hear it isn't so good and not at the medicine one's level. No idea for obgyn or peds.

But here's the thing, you gotta decide if the complexity in management and the evidence based approach to plans is really there for the other fields. I'd wager it is not for surgery. I don't think the complexity for obgyn is such that it warrants a pocket medicine type book. FM is a combo of IM (already have pocket medicine) and peds (not extraordinarily complex and already lots of stuff out there).

And so because you are only a student you do not have the knowledge to be making these apps. It will not be deemed to be a good source. I'd stick to what's out there. Most of the time just ask your residents for help with a plan and then read about the diseases and what not in books and on the internet.

With regards to apps that are helpful to you, there are plenty of good calculator type apps that are useful to put in the plan (have easy to access scores that are good to know and will make you look good like the CHADS-vasc score, APACHEII score, etc etc). You also have stuff like medscape/epocrates apps for general info. Uptodate is online (though there is an app but it'll cost you a pretty penny). Surgical recall is a strong book for the surgery rotation.

 

[DrShake]

I'm not trying to make a content app. More of an app to present a patient u rounded on/did an h&p to an attending. The most content would be lab values.

 

[link2swim06]

You try epocrates essentials? It's pretty dam complete.