To keep you updated on the go, we highlight a free medical app each month!
Librarian reviewers from Saskatchewan Health Authority and Alberta Health Services consider the audience and purpose of the apps, as well as highlighting additional features:
Our complete grading criteria is embedded in the review.
Note: Reviewers are not healthcare professionals and don't appraise the quality of any recommendations within the app. Reviews are not meant as endorsements.
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Family Medicine Study Guide |
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The reviewers received a promotional code from the App developer that granted free access to the App in exchange for an unbiased review.
Image Source: Family Medicine Study Guide, Apple App Store. Retrieved on August 29, 2019 from https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/family-medicine-study-guide/id1072407249
Stated Purpose
Retrieved from the Google Play and Apple App stores:
This "study buddy" was created as a portable curriculum to help motivate learning and allow users to track their studying progress throughout their family medicine training and career. As new information or concepts are acquired, users are able to amalgamate their knowledge into a single source which can be saved and used in future clinical years.
Taken from: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.familymedicinestudyguide.fmstudyguide&hl=en_CA
Features
‘Clinical Pearls’ are also provided within each Case Listing; these take the form of mnemonic devices to assist with diagnosing specific conditions.
Screenshots
Specialties/Disciplines
Family Medicine
Physicians, residents, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, allied health professionals
Notes
None
Part 1: Editorial committee, content updates, and evidence grading
The Family Medicine Study guide functions as learning resource. Various study and self- testing resources exist within the App. While there were peer reviewers listed, there was no formal editorial committee listed. This is not a searchable resource with an in-built or external grading system.
Part 2: Source and authorship information for 3 entries
Two lead contributing authors are identified within the app, as are 15 other contributing authors. In addition, a lead researcher and 17 peer reviewers are listed within the App. With this in mind, each individual entry does not have an author listed for it.
Organization of information
There are six categories of information available to you within this App and they have been organized as follows:
The Case listings and Quick Pix can be viewed either by number or by disease/condition name e.g. diabetes
The mini-podcasts have been divided into three different categories (Lifestyle medicine, lab-related, and extras)
The Vault contains the ‘About’ information for the App, as well as Guidelines, 99 topics checklist and a mini exam
Navigation
The App was easy and quite straightforward to navigate. Browse-able lists of cases, quick pix, rapid fire questions, guidelines are available.
Overall the categories were easy to understand, and well named; there was strong correlation with what you would expect to find within each category.
However, The Vault category was not as clearly labelled – it is not immediately obvious to App users that this section contains the likes of Guidelines or a mini-exam, for example.
Extras
It is possible to flag individual Case Listings or Quick Pix so that you can return to those particular cases or images later for review, if needed.
User can save notes within the app
User can save text answers to cases, quick pix, and rapid fire questions in the app
Internet connection required for use: No;
Text search field: No;
Browsable content: Yes; Content browsable by subject
Advertisements: No;
Pop-up advertisements: No;
In-app purchases: No
Devices
Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Requires iOS 8.0 or later. https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/family-medicine-study-guide/id1072407249 Last updated (as per App store listing) June 2 2019
The App would appear to be compatible with any/all Android devices that have the operating system specifications required. This App requires 4.0.3 and above. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.familymedicinestudyguide.fmstudyguide&hl=en_CA Last updated (as per Google Play listing) May 31 2019
Size
77 MB (Android) ; 83.4 MB (Apple)
App Developer
Dr. Daniel Leger is listed as the primary author, while Dr. Michael Craig is listed as an Associate Author.
Country of Origin
Canada
Contact
The Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine
Department of Family Medicine, 1st Floor
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
1465 Richmond Street
London, Ontario, Canada N6G 2M1
For comments, feedback, or questions regarding the design and features of the app:
Email: fmstudyguide@gmail.com
Website: http://www.familymedicinestudyguide.com/
Contact information has also been provided for both Twitter and Facebook.
Contact via Twitter: @FM_StudyGuide
Contact via Facebook: search for ‘Family Medicine Study Guide’
We'd love to hear from you!
Do you have an app suggestion or have questions/comments about the App of the Month feature? Let us know!
