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Infectious disease guides. For users of hand-held computers.
1Department of Family Medicine at Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|October 10, 2002
Summary
Three infectious disease treatment apps were reviewed. While all use evidence-based recommendations, the Sanford Guide is comprehensive but costly, ePocrates ID is quick with drug data, and ABX POC-IT lacks pediatric data.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Clinical decision support tools are crucial for effective infectious disease management.
- Mobile applications offer accessible platforms for evidence-based medical information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the usability and features of three leading infectious disease treatment mobile applications.
- To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Sanford Guide, ePocrates ID, and ABX POC-IT Guide.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of three mobile applications: Sanford Guide, ePocrates ID, and ABX POC-IT Guide.
- Evaluation based on comprehensiveness, navigation, cost, drug database integration, disease database extent, and pediatric data availability.
Main Results:
- The Sanford Guide is a comprehensive, authoritative reference but can be difficult to navigate and incurs a cost.
- ePocrates ID is smaller, quicker to use, and interfaces with a drug database.
- ABX POC-IT Guide is well-designed with antibiotic monographs but has the least extensive disease database and lacks pediatric data.
Conclusions:
- All three evaluated applications appear to utilize evidence-based recommendations for infectious disease treatment.
- Each application presents a unique profile of benefits and limitations, catering to different user needs and priorities.