Disease reference (Dx Tab)

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OS Tested: Palm
OS Available: Palm, Pocket PC
Tested on: Tungsten T|5
Written by: David Stockwell, MD
Review Written: March 12th, 2006

Features: The disease reference for Epocrates. Updated like the rest of the program with AutoUpdate, this section under the "Dx" tab contains hundreds of diseases. It is based on the 5 Minute Clinical Consult it has more than enough pediatric specific references to make it useful for pediatric practitioners.

This is only offered combined with the very helpful Sx section/differential diagnosis guide. All disease entries contain the following information:

• Basics
• Signs/Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Medications
• Related Topics
• Miscellaneous
• Notes

Basics is further subdivided into Description, Genetics, Incidence/Prevalence in USA, Predominate Age/Sex, Risk Factors, Age Related Factors, Possible Complications, Expected Course/Prognosis and Associated Conditions.

Diagnosis is further subdivided into Differential Diagnosis, Laboratory, Drugs that may alter labs, Disorders that may alter labs, Imaging, Special Tests, Diagnostic Procedures & Pathological Findings

Treatment is further subdivided into Health Care Setting, General Measures, Surgical Measures, Activity/Diet, Patient Education, Patient Monitoring, Prevention/Avoidance

Medications are divided into Drugs of Choice and Alternative Drugs. Both of which are linked to the Rx section.

Miscellaneous is subdivided into ICD-9-M, Synonyms, Pregnancy, Other Notes and Abbreviations

Usability/Navigation:
Like the rest of the platform, this section is simple to navigate. Obviously the reference is robust with all of the above areas covered in the majority of diseases. The content within each of these topics is succinct and relevant. Occasionally with complicated diseases, the topics are too brief and require further investigation.

The data for this section can be placed on a memory card.

Pros:

• Excellent navigation/presentation of the information
• Adult and pediatric topics
• Robust disease reference
• Can be placed on a memory card

Cons:

While it has broad coverage of individual diseases occasionally it is too brief with complicated topics

Bottom line: This is a very helpful product and has many pediatric diseases to make it useful to any pediatric practitioner.