Medical Software for Windows Mobile Devices

Many physicians and other healthcare professionals have adopted mobile devices as added tools for their everyday practices. In the past, Palm OS hardware and software dominated this vertical market. With the migration of these users from Palm products to Windows Mobile, the offerings for these devices are increasing dramatically. The listing below is by no means complete.

If I have missed one of your favorite programs, please email me, or better yet, go to my new blog at Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs) and select "Ed Zabrek".. My blog goal is to keep those interested in Windows Mobile and healthcare updated on the latest offerings of Windows Mobile devices, as well as to share your reviews and comments on what you find useful in your practice. I am hopeful that this forum will be a useful method for all healthcare professionals to keep updated with the latest software (and hardware) that will allow us to practice the safest, best medicine possible.

Reference software

ePocrates (http://www.epocrates.com)

The ePocrates drug reference has been available for Palm OS devices for a long time. In fact, many physicians bought Palm devices just so that they could use it. Now ePocrates offers their more robust subscription products on the Pocket PC. These include ePocrates Essentials—"All-in-one guide to diseases, drugs and diagnostics". The Epocrates Essentials premium suite includes the Epocrates Rx Pro, including IV compatibility and drip rate. There are additional free features and services including DocAlert messaging and MobileCME.

ePocrates

Skyscape (http://www.skyscape.com)

Skyscape offers the largest and broadest selection of professional titles for mobile devices. They publish over 250 references covering all medical specialties from over 30 major publishers (including Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Elsevier Health Science, and many others). (See the review in this issue, as well as my review at http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_archives/may04/PortableMedicalLib.aspx.)

Skyscape

Up To Date (http://www.uptodate.com)

If Mobile Merck Medicus gives doctors the latest medical journals, and Skyscape provides them with the most current, up to date text reference information, then what's left? Up to Date! This subscription service allows practitioners to research and obtain the latest peer-reviewed information in a matter of minutes, rather than hours or days as with the typical Medline search. A panel of over 250 physicians review the content obtained from Up to Date quarterly, guaranteeing that the most accurate, current and complete information is available. This product is one of the few healthcare solutions that work on the Smartphone. It has become an invaluable tool in my daily practice.

Mobile Merck Medicus from Merck (http://www.merckmedicus.com)