App Review: At the CORE of A Good Medical App
It has been awhile since we have done a concentrated app review. We are in the process of working with a number of physicians at a few different large medical centers on reviewing multiple apps in daily practice to ascertain which are the most/least useful and how this could be applied to improving the current framework. Until we have this done, we will highlight only certain apps that we feel are appropriate to point out to our readers.
We feel so compelled for Clinical Orthopedic Exam. This app, which costs $39.99, integrates many of the elements we have called for in our other reviews including video, best practice information, and standard instruction. Specifically, we provided the app to over eight different physicians and obtained feedback on it from real-world clinical scenarios to assess its efficacy and relevance. Physicians noted that the app is useful in teaching with the videos demonstrating the same tests in multiple ways and offering literature support for them. In doing so, the app provides a comprehensive review of physical exam techniques with references to support them. Additionally, it lists the multiple names for exams rather than just one, which can often be confusing to residents and students.
Suggestions for improvement of the app were few but included delineating more clearly which tests had full descriptions for easier navigation and adding more views of the maneuvers on the text screen. Also, adding additional information such as appropriate imaging, referrals, and treatment were suggestions. The price point was indicated to be a bit high but valuable nonetheless and more than justified, especially if a few additional features were added.
Overall, this app was rated as an “excellent” by nearly all the physicians who used it in this group, a rare find even though they are a multitude of apps out there. They appreciated the “test properties” section that offered robust data supporting the tests and the easy access to the search window. The videos were also pointed out as tremendous additions in conveying the information and making the app interactive.
As the app movement continues to take hold, apps like this one will push others to become more complete and raise the bar on what is expected from available programs.
