Health App Wrap (April 2015)

ASTHMAMD

Developed by physician and researcher Sam Pejham, of University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, AsthmaMD is a free application that allows users to quickly and easily log their asthma activity, medications, and asthma triggers in a smartphone- based diary. Information from the diary, including graphical charts of asthma activities, can be shared with physicians and other care providers, and then incorporated into the patient’s medical record. The app is compatible with the AsthmaMD Peak Flow Meter, which gauges lung performance and is available at CVS Health, at Walgreens, and through Amazon.com. Patients have the option of sharing their data to allow researchers to garner insights into the causes and external correlations associated with asthma. After patients opt in to the data-sharing capability, the app sends encrypted and anonymous data to a Googlemanaged database. The data sent includes attack severity, triggers, and the time, date, and location of the attack.

Cost: Free

Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android devices

Download: iTunes: http://phrmcyt.ms/18Ya84x; Google Play: http://phrmcyt.ms/18Yafgo

ACP IMMUNIZATION ADVISOR

Developed as part of the American College of Physicians’ Adult Immunization Initiative, ACP Immunization Advisor provides the latest adult vaccine indications, immunization news, and pertinent immunization updates. The app allows providers to search for recommended vaccinations by a patient’s age or underlying medical circumstance. Additionally, providers can check specific vaccines in the app’s Vaccination Library to find recommended immunization schedules. The app is updated yearly and is based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s Adult Immunization Schedule.

Cost: Free

Compatible with: iPhone, iPad

Download: http://phrmcyt.ms/191mKYx

DRUGSHORTAGES

The FDA’s DrugShortages app allows users to quickly and easily identify current drug shortages and resolved shortages and to determine whether a product has been discontinued. It uses a searchable database to provide real-time information to pharmacists and other health care practitioners. The app allows users to search for products by generic name, active ingredient, or therapeutic category, or in an alphabetical list. Additionally, the app includes information on reporting shortages and links to other drug shortage resources.

Cost: Free

Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, Android devices

Download: iTunes: http://phrmcyt.ms/1FBTDrH; Google Play: http://phrmcyt.ms/1FBTIvC

DYNAMED MOBILE

DynaMed is an evidence-based clinical resource that provides organized clinical summaries on more than 3400 topics. The app’s editors monitor content from more than 500 medical journals, evaluating articles for clinical relevance and scientific validity. Any new evidence is integrated with existing content, and overall conclusions are changed as appropriate.

Cost: The app is free but requires a paid subscription to the DynaMed service.

Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android devices

Download: iTunes: http://phrmcyt.ms/1FC466q; Google Play: http://phrmcyt.ms/1FC4amG

CHANGE TALK: CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Change Talk: Childhood Obesity is a role-playing app that allows users to practice motivational interviewing skills. The simulation allows the user to engage in a practice conversation about childhood obesity with a virtual mother and her child. The conversation offers opportunities to identify motivation for change and to support them in their efforts to implement lifestyle changes. In addition, the app provides feedback from a virtual coach along with a pocket guide with motivational interviewing techniques.

Cost: Free

Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android Devices

Download: iTunes: http://phrmcyt.ms/191AH8T; Google Play: http://phrmcyt.ms/191AFhu