Top five medical apps for foundation doctors
Post date: 04/02/2013 | Time to read article: 1 minsThe information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 18/05/2020
Dr Josephine Neale, an F2 from Warwickshire, has done the app work so you do not have to. Here are her top five apps for new doctors
DiAppBetes
Developed from national guidelines by a team in University Hospital Southampton, this is a gem for those who have ever found themselves adjusting insulin dosing regimes without much success.
Although it is not a replacement for senior advice, this app provides support and clear information for insulin prescribing, hypoglycaemia, specialist referral criteria and when to stop or start diabetic medication in an inpatient setting.
Cost – free.
NICE BNF
No more rummaging around the ward to find a BNF – now it can be at your fingertips without the need for an internet connection after the initial download. There is an easy search function and you can bookmark your most frequently used pages. The BNF for children is also available and worth downloading.
Cost – Free; requires an NHS Athens account to login.
CliniCalc
If you have trouble remembering your A-a gradient from your Anion gap, or your Child-Pugh from your CHADS2, this is the app for you. Categorised by specialty, this app has everything from simple GCS reminders to predicted spirometric values, with some statistical calculations in there as well.
Cost – free.
PasTest
You probably will have seen or used PasTest during your time at medical school. Now your time is precious and on-the-go revision is a necessity – this is even available without internet connection. Like the full site, the features include Question Browser, Timed Tests and Mock Exams.
Cost – free demo versions, further question bank requires a subscription fee.
Patient.co.uk
Much of a foundation doctor’s job is communicating information to patients. After a high-speed post-take ward round, this app can help you translate your medical jargon into plain English for your baffled patients. Conditions from Achalasia to Yellow Fever are summarised concisely and many have accompanying diagrams.
Cost – free to view condition leaflets.
