The market for mobile health care services, like smartphone and tablet apps, is expected to swell to $26 billion globally by 2017.Apps have become nearly ubiquitous with helping guide consumers to healthy lifestyles by tracking exercise regimes and daily calorie intake. But they’re also appealing to healthcare providers looking for more efficient daily routines including allowing radiologists to view and share images. About 15 percent of mobile health apps are designed for healthcare professionals according a report by research2guidance.Radiologists are quickly adopting mobile apps to view and share images, collaborate with other physicians, and review files and databases.We combed through best-of lists and consulted experts in search of the apps that every radiologist should consider downloading. Here are eight must-haves.Did we miss one? Tell us your favorite in the comments section below.For more on these apps:OsiriXMobile-MIMDoximityRadiology 2.0: One Night in the EDEpocrates CMEGoodreaderPapersRadiopaediaSources: Asim F. Choudhri, MD, iMedicalApps.com, Garry Choy, MDCheck out our updated top apps here.
We combed through best-of lists and consulted experts in search of the apps that every radiologist should consider downloading. Here are eight must-haves. Did we miss one? Tell us your favorite in the comments section below.
OsiriXWhy: This is the first app that allows one to browse DICOM datasets, meaning instead of looking at snapshots, radiologists can scroll through entire studies.Tip: It isn’t passcode protected, meaning patient information isn’t protected, so use it for anonymized studies for tumor boards or for teaching purposes.Download: iPad or iPhoneCost: $29.95
Mobile-MIMWhy: It is the first FDA 510 (k)-cleared mobile imaging app. Tip: This isn’t intended to be a primary diagnostic tool, but it does allow you to interpret images on the go. Plus, it is largely restricted to the MIM vendor, but there are ways to load other studies into the app.Download: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPadCost: Free
DoximityWhy: This is integrated with a HIPAA compliant messaging system and digital FAX, for which you get a free toll-free number for sending and receiving faxes. Tip: The app provides a free toll free fax number, and you can also use it to find a physician’s profile to access information like board certifications and where he or she trained.Download: iPhone and AndroidCost: Free
Radiology 2.0: One Night in the EDWhy: Radiologists in training (we’re looking at you residents out there), and those who are charged with teaching them, can use this app to brush up on these teaching files that include straightforward case descriptions with high-res images.Tip: This popular educational app is one of the originals in specialty specific training and was developed from the 2005 website produced by Daniel Cornfeld, MD. Download: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPadCost: Free
Epocrates CMEWhy: Offering radiologists, and other healthcare providers, a way to fulfill CME requirements from their phones.Tip: Because the CME activities are accessible across all supported platforms as long as a user is logged into the same account, you can start a course on a phone complete it at a desktop.Download: Android, iPhoneCost: Free
GoodreaderWhy: This wildly popular, and useful, app fills the voids left by other apps. Specifically, it offers excellent document management software for PDFs, Word documents and Powerpoint presentations.Tip: Weather using this for storing or annotating digital textbooks, journal articles, product manuals or interesting cases, this app provides seamless integration with several cloud services such as Dropbox (another must-have!) and GoogleDrive.Download: iPad and iPhoneCost: $4.99
PapersWhy: Academics take note! This app will let you sort those countless journal articles beyond pure PDF management to include searching by author, title and abstract. Tip: Last year, the publishing giant Springer purchased this app, and improvements, such as more easily linking to the company’s desktop, are being eagerly anticipated.Download: iPhone, iPod touch, iPadCost: $14.99
RadiopaediaWhy: Brush up on common (and not so common) cases with this wiki-based app that gives you access to high quality images, quiz questions and links to articles about both correct and differential diagnosis.Tip: While it’s perfect for prepping for board exams, this app can also serve as an easy way for practicing radiologists to access Includes articles from Radiopaedia's radiology online encyclopaedia.Download: iPhone, iPod touch, iPadCost: Free
