Here’s a list of apps that are in order of how essential we find them. There’s probably more out there so drop us a comment if you have any suggestions to add!
Induction (free, available on iOS/Android)
Can be used in ANY trust and once you’ve logged in it is trust specific. Perfect for having the entire up to date telephone directory (extensions and bleep numbers) to hand rather than going to switchboard or checking the directory on the trust intranet. It’s especially useful for quick dialling an extension when there isn’t a free phone nearby. The app has extra features to allow trust guidelines to be stored and updated as well.
BNF/BNFC (free, available on iOS/Android)
An essential app for all grades – really simple to use. Essentially it is a portable BNF and you can quickly find a medication (by actual drug name or brand name) with indications, doses/ routes, monitoring requirements and check drug interactions.
Microguide (free, available on iOS/Android)
The microbiology app, again trust-specific. Will have all the up-to-date trust antimicrobial protocols and guidelines divided up into conditions and body systems giving you the first line and second line regimes as well as what to prescribe if the patient is penicillin allergic. Avoids you having to search the intranet for the guideline and is quick and easy to use.
NOTE: Not all trusts use this app, some have developed their own specific microbiology apps such as Addenbrookes has created RxGuidelines.
DrToolbox (free, available for iOS/Android)
A how-to guide designed to help new doctors and updated by current/previous junior doctors who worked at the trust as a handover guide to help the new cohort. Gives you trust-specific advice, essential local firm-specific survival guides, contact details for departments/ other staff, and help on how to make requests for radiology/ investigations and speciality referrals.
iResus (free, available for iOS/Android)
Great for a quick refresher of the resuscitation algorithms whilst you’re making your way to a medical emergency call.
MDCalc (free, available on iOS/Android)
The best app available for using evidence-based clinical calculators and algorithms and really easy to use. It has hundreds of formulas and calculators and most of them you won’t need. Saves time having to think about how to calculate the creatinine clearance, serum osmolality or QTc for a patient or trying to work out the CHA2DS2-VASc or HAS-BLED score, etc. All you have to do is input the relevant patient data and go.
PocketDr (£3.99 for iOS/ £2.99 for Android)
Aimed at junior doctors working on calls/ nights or when you get called to see a patient with a high NEWS. Very simple to use with succinct checklists of what to do if asked to review an unwell patient or for up-to-date immediate management flowcharts of acute common conditions such as ACS, pulmonary oedema, seizures, exacerbation of COPD or asthma. Serves as a good aide-memoire when you are being constantly bleeped and need a quick recall
Foundation Doctor Handbook (£2.99 for iOS/ £2.99 for Android)
Similar to PocketDr it provides information on how to manage common clinical scenarios for foundation doctors.
QxMD (free, available on iOS/Android)
Another app for clinical calculators
GeekyMedics (free, available for iOS/Android)
OSCE & clinical skills guide
ToxBase (free, available for iOS/Android)
Management of overdoses or poisoning of most substances
Buku Haematology (free, available for iOS/Android)
A quick reference for common haematology problems that are asked of the on-call haematology team
NHS Safeguarding (free, available for iOS/Android)
A resource of the most up to date safeguarding guidance & regional contact information
Written By Dr Ibtisam Hasan (FY2) & Dr Akash Doshi (CT2)
