Epocrates announced a major update to their chart topping drug reference app this week, including a customizable app directory and faster access to medical content.
The updated app includes a customizable home screen for faster access to frequently used features, a new notification system, and, most notably, an App Directory. The App Directory allows users to download medical apps from within Epocrates, with recommendations provided based on the user's provided areas of interest.
The App Directory includes both paid and free apps, and currently features Epocrates EHR, Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards, Growth Evaluation Tool, BMI Tool, Pregnancy and Infant Care MRC and Epocrates CME. Epocrates said that clinicians are "overwhelmed" by the thousands of clinical apps available today, and the new App Directory within the Epocrates app hopes to address that.
MobiHealthNews' contributing editor Neil Versel recently shared this thoughts on why private app stores could be the 'Next Big Thing'. What sets Epocrates' list of curated apps apart from other curated app store offerings is that Epocrates suggests particular apps for individual users based on that user's profile. Apple recently put together a new, curated section of its AppStore that presents medical and health apps intended for use by professionals. The curated, medical app store under development by Happtique helps healthcare organizations create their own appstores to better enable enterprise-wide distribution. Unlike Epocrates and Apple's curated lists, however, Happtique said it would not be in the business of deciding which apps were "good" or "bad".
"Mobile apps are only as valuable as they are useful," stated Rose Crane, president and chief executive officer of Epocrates, in a press release. "We've advanced the user experience of our world-class drug reference app and added a singular channel to discover, store and access reliable tools. Furthermore, this is a fresh foundation for new partner engagements and opportunities to deliver even more value-add resources to our network."
Epocrates consistently remains a top free download in iTunes medical category. Leading up to the recent relaunch of their mobile app, the company named Facebook’s mobile chief, Erick Tseng, to its board of directors this summer.
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Read the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE -- With thousands of medical apps now available, clinicians are feeling overwhelmed, with more than 85 percent reportedly downloading apps they do not use. Epocrates, Inc. (Nasdaq:EPOC), developers of the most used medical app, has introduced a solution to app overload. Its industry leading Epocrates Rx reference has been reimagined, creating a customizable user experience and a platform that provides clinicians with faster access to trusted drug content and serves as a way to surface rich medical content.
"Epocrates has made my single most used app even more useful, which I didn't even know was possible," said Dr. Jake Varghese, family practitioner. "The design is simply elegant; I can get in and out of the app so quickly that it allows me to maintain focused on my patient. Plus, it reveals additional apps that I'm actually interested in and likely may have not found otherwise."
Research shows that more than 75 percent of clinicians prefer to download apps from a company they know. As a top mobile developer in the medical community, Epocrates has created a platform that allows healthcare professionals to conveniently add, customize and prioritize medical apps and content most relevant to their practice. This also allows helpful tools and manufacturer resources to be more prominently displayed and accessible, which, for example, enable users to request drug samples or directly report an adverse drug event.
"Mobile apps are only as valuable as they are useful," said Rose Crane, president and chief executive officer of Epocrates. "We've advanced the user experience of our world-class drug reference app and added a singular channel to discover, store and access reliable tools. Furthermore, this is a fresh foundation for new partner engagements and opportunities to deliver even more value-add resources to our network."
With the Epocrates drug reference as the foundation, the company has built in an app directory that provides healthcare professionals with convenient, centralized access to a portfolio of high-value reference, education and clinical apps. The Epocrates App Directory features a vetted selection of apps such as Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards, Growth Evaluation Tool, BMI Tool, Pregnancy and Infant Care MRC and Epocrates CME. Clinicians will also receive recommendations for additional apps based on designated areas of interest.
The in-app directory and new user experience for the Epocrates Rx product line is now available on Apple devices (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad) and may be downloaded from the Apple App Store.
About Epocrates, Inc.
Epocrates, Inc. (Nasdaq:EPOC), developers of the #1 most used mobile medical app among U.S. physicians, creates point-of-care digital solutions that enhance the practice of medicine. More than 1.4 million healthcare professionals, including 50 percent of U.S. physicians, use Epocrates' solutions to help improve patient care and practice efficiencies with its drug reference, educational and clinical apps. The new Epocrates mobile and web-based EHR solution, designed for solo and small group practice physicians, is affordable, easy-to-use and further supports physician workflow and patient outcomes. The company also partners with the healthcare industry, including top pharmaceutical companies, to engage with its clinician network through effective, interactive services. For more information about Epocrates, please visit www.epocrates.com/company.
The Epocrates, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10943
Epocrates and Epocrates Rx are trademarks of Epocrates, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries.
