App Wrap: The Best Mobile Applications for Medical Professionals

The App store and Google Play offer an ever-expanding collection of applications, with an entire genre dedicated to medicine. The App Wrap focuses on a select few health apps that strive to make a meaningful difference for healthcare providers and their patients through better communication, data visualization, or electronic health record improvement. To download, follow the links or search for the titles.

TigerText Secure Messaging for Business

Price: Free

Size: 82.3 MB

Average Rating: 2.5 stars (iTunes); 3.7 stars (Android)

The TigerText app provides access to patient data from electronic health records, nurse call systems, and scheduling software for accelerated workflows. The app, which is HITRUST-certified, is geared toward streamlining communication between care teams. Among other features, the platform includes click-to-call, priority messaging, and auto-forwarding. Additionally, a variety of secure messaging features are available, including secure texts and message recall. Reviews compliment the app on its ability to improve communication and office efficiency.

Android: bit.ly/1oMTd5G

iTunes: bit.ly/1oMTd5G

EASE Applications — HIPAA Compliant Messaging

Price: Free

Size: 43.8 MB

Average Rating: 4.5 stars (iTunes and Android)

EASE, which stands for Electronic Access to Surgical Events, is a HIPAA- compliant medical messaging app that allows clinicians to send updates on the status of patients via texts, photos, and videos to loved ones and caregivers. The app does not allow saving, and all information remains within the secure application, with messages disappearing after 60 seconds. Several users can receive messages from the app simultaneously, which is intended to provide real-time updates during procedures. All communications are protected by 256-bit encryption.

Android: bit.ly/2syyxf6

iTunes: apple.co/2rYcNIm

eClinicalTouch 3

Price: Free

Size: 118 MB

Average Rating: NA

The third version of the eClinicalTouch app provides secure access to patient records, diagnostic tools, data analytics, electronic prescribing, and numerous other electronic health record (EHR) features. The cloud-based app also offers secure data capture and portable access to EHRs via iPad or iPhone (currently not available on Android devices). The system is enabled for voice and the eClinicalWorks Scribe and was designed specifically with provider and nurse documentation in mind. All information that is captured can be set up to automatically generate claims on the practice management side of the eClinicalWorks system.

iTunes: apple.co/2rf6QnH

Valera Health

Price: Free

Size: 53.3 MB

Average Rating: NA (iTunes); 5 stars (Android)

Geared toward patients with mental health diagnoses, the Valera Health app serves as a communications platform connecting patients and their care team. The app, which has been shown to boost engagement in patients with depression and anxiety, allows for the exchange of private messages and provides off-hour access to crisis support. The app also contains educational content, resources, and appointment scheduling services.

Android: bit.ly/2rtBclA

iTunes: apple.co/2tjz7tY

Glooko — Track Diabetes Data

Price: Free

Size: 106 MB

Average Rating: 3.5 stars (iTunes); 4.1 stars (Android)

Glooko, which is intended for patients with diabetes, synchronizes data from a variety of sources, including a blood glucose (BG) meter and insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor. The app focuses on how food, activities, time of day, and medication affect BG levels. It presents data in chart or graph form on the following topics: medications usage, lifestyle, and diet alongside trends in glucose levels. It also allows patients to set alerts and can sync with other commonly used apps, such as Fitbit, Jawbone UP, Strava, and Moves. A subscription, which costs $59.95 a year, is required to sync data with the app. In reviews, this subscription fee was the most common complaint.

Android: bit.ly/19AsMgO

iTunes: apple.co/2rfCBNv