Darius Wey
12-15-2004, 06:30 PM
<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-00.gif" /><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Medical Reference Software<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://www.epocrates.com/">Epocrates, Inc.</a><br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.epocrates.com/">Epocrates, Inc.</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $139.99 USD (One-Year Subscription), $229.99 USD (Two-Year Subscription); 30-day money-back guarantee.<br /><b>System Requirements:</b> Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 or Windows Mobile 2003; 6.3MB of available memory + 10KB per formulary selected; (Epocrates Essentials does not yet support installation on storage cards); ActiveSync connection; internet connection (for updating the clinical databases).<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><li>Tightly integrated structure;<br /><li>User-friendly interface;<br /><li>Frequently updated and revised;<br /><li>Extensive amount of information provided;<br /><li>Excellent support.<b>Cons:</b><li>Installation on storage cards not yet fully supported;<br /><li>Epocrates Find does not yet work for Epocrates Lab, Epocrates ID or Epocrates Tables;<br /><li>MedMath not yet compatible with the Pocket PC;<br /><li>No help files provided on the Pocket PC.<b>Summary:</b><br />Epocrates, Inc. have long been regarded as one of the major players in the mobile medical software industry, and have recently focused their efforts on the Pocket PC platform. The release of a revised edition of Epocrates Essentials has been embraced by many as an essential guide to drugs, diseases and diagnostics. In this review, we will see if it lives up to expectations.<br /><br />Read on for the full review! <!><br /><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>One Happy Family</b></span><br />Epocrates Essentials is an integrative compilation of its well-known Epocrates Rx Pro, Epocrates Dx, and Epocrates Lab software. However, it doesn't stop there! Epocrates ID, Epocrates Tables and Epocrates MedTools are all included to help enhance the reference material already provided. I'll be discussing each of these components and bring them all together in the end to show you how well integrated Epocrates Essentials is. Since the version numbers of these components are not unified, I've included a list of these versions below for reference purposes:<li>Epocrates Rx Pro 7.0;<br /><li>Epocrates Dx 1.1;<br /><li>Epocrates Lab 1.0;<br /><li>Epocrates ID 2.6;<br /><li>Epocrates Tables 2.4;<br /><li>Epocrates MedTools 2.5.<span><b>Installation</b></span><br />Upon registering an account with Epocrates and purchasing a valid subscription of the Epocrates Essentials software, you can then download the file required for installation. This file weighs in at approximately 1.9MB, so it is not a major drama for those on a slow internet connection. The installation procedure is relatively straightforward and requires a functional ActiveSync and internet connection. Files are installed on both the PC and Pocket PC. On the PC, an ActiveSync component is installed, which is used for updating the clinical databases when your Pocket PC and PC are connected through ActiveSync. On the Pocket PC, the Epocrates Essentials program is installed, as well as a local AutoUpdate client, which is used for updating the clinical databases when you are away from the computer. However, I'll be discussing updates a little later in this review. Although the system requirements clearly specify a minimum of 6.3MB of available memory + 10KB per formulary selected, I found that this was merely an approximate guideline. As the size of the clinical databases grow, so too does the space consumed. My current installation of Epocrates Essentials is consuming 7.15MB of available memory, which is not a small figure since Epocrates advises against the installation of the product on storage cards. Epocrates have advised me that they are considering support for storage cards in the future.<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-01.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 1: AutoUpdate on the Pocket PC.</i><br /><br /><span><b>Updates</b></span><br />Epocrates' AutoUpdate technology makes for a painless updating process with AutoUpdate components installed on both the PC and Pocket PC. The local Pocket PC client allows you to synchronise your clinical databases with the Epocrates server when you are away from the computer, which is particularly useful when your Pocket PC is connected to a public wireless network. Otherwise, updating with the PC via ActiveSync is relatively straightforward as it initiates itself upon creation of the ActiveSync connection. The first synchronisation can be a little time-consuming as it requires a lengthy period to complete a first-time update of all the clinical databases, validation of your subscription, and activation of the Epocrates Essentials program. Subsequent synchronisations are accomplished relatively quickly and trouble-free. I tested it on both a dial-up and broadband connection. Synchronisation of all the databases took 25 seconds on the dial-up connection (56K), while broadband (512K) was noticeably shorter at 10 seconds. Termination of the updating process may lead to database corruption, so you may want to keep this in mind if you intend on using the program. I never had the opportunity to test this out, but at any rate, I didn't want to anyway.<br /><br />The "Add Formularies" feature is a useful one. This must be done from the Epocrates website, where you are required to sign into your account. From there, you are able to select the district and type of formulary you wish to update onto your device. Support is largely extended to states of the USA, although there is minor support for some countries outside of the USA. I hope this is extended in the near future. Types of formularies are classed in four major categories: Health Plans, Hospitals, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and Other Groups. The website provides an approximate file size and downloads the content to your device when you have finished editing your formulary profile.<br /><br />Epocrates Essentials also lists the time of last update of the clinical databases. New findings are common in medicine so it's always convenient to be able to track how current your databases are. They are usually revised and updated by Epocrates every week, although MedTools (discussed later) is updated daily to deliver the latest medical reports in the palm of your hand.<br /><br /><span><b>Crying for Help! Gold Support to the Rescue!</b></span><br />I'll confess that my first synchronisation did not occur without a hitch. Although I had managed to install Epocrates Essentials without any problems, I did not bother checking how much available memory I had on my device, and that worked against me when my first synchronisation failed to complete. I had approximately 3.5MB of available memory before synchronisation, which was clearly below the system requirements. However, I had no idea that it was a memory-based problem at the time, so I proceeded to contact Epocrates Gold Support via email, quoted my error code, and they managed to reply to my query within the next working day. They were very friendly and solved my problem fast! I believe that excellent support should not be disregarded when purchasing software, and Epocrates Essentials did not fail to live up to that expectation. So for those of you considering on purchasing Epocrates Essentials, you will be happy knowing that you won't be hung out to dry if you ever run into a problem.<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Epocrates Rx Pro</b></span><br />Epocrates Rx Pro is the first major component of Epocrates Essentials. It improves on the free <a href="http://www2.epocrates.com/products/rx/">Epocrates Rx</a> drug and formulary reference, by including a list of alternative medicines and integrating with Epocrates ID and Epocrates Tables - two components of Epocrates Essentials I will be discussing a little later in the review. Diverting our attention back to Epocrates Rx Pro, alternative medicines are listed in olive, while branded and generic drugs are listed in black. This makes it easy to differentiate between the two, although you can also hide the list of alternative medicines if you wish.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-02.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 2: Epocrates Rx Pro's primary user interface.</i><br /><br />Figure 2 illustrates the main user interface of Epocrates Rx Pro. The list of drugs are sorted in alphabetical order and are listed by drug name by default. However, the program allows multiple ways of listing and so you can list the drugs by class too. But any list composed of over 3,000 drugs and over 400 alternative medicines is bound to be a nightmare to flip through. That's where Epocrates' "Look Up" feature steps in. You simply input the name or class of the drug you wish to find, and Epocrates Rx Pro will find it for you. The only limitation of this feature is that it is designed to search from the first letter of the drug. So if you were to search for <i>glucosamine sulfate</i>, yet you typed <i>sulfate</i> into the "Look Up" search field, it would not find it. However, all is not lost. There is an extended search function known as "Epocrates Find". This feature has no limitations so all you need to do is search for any string of text, and if it appears in a drug name, it will find it for you! It is not just restrained to drug names though - "Epocrates Find" offers a multitude of search categories you can choose from: Drugs (Name, Indications, Contraindications, Adverse Reactions, Manufacturer and Cost Information, Pregnancy Codes, Lactation Codes, DEA and FDA, and Notes) and Alternative Medicines (Name, Reported Uses, Cautions, Adverse Reactions, and Notes). This takes the hard work out of assimilating all the content contained within this extensive drug database.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-03.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 3: Epocrates Find makes searching simple!</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-04.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 4: Name Your Poison!</i><br /><br />Let's have a look at <i>topical hydrocortisone</i>. Tapping on the drug name brings up a dialogue box which allows you to select the appropriate branded or generic drug. After selecting the drug of interest, you are taken to the main interface which contains detailed information on the drug. There is a vast amount of information to take in, yet Epocrates Rx Pro categorises them into subsections, thus making navigation easy! Subsections include: Adult Dosing, Paediatric Dosing, Contraindications / Cautions, Drug Interactions, Adverse Reactions, Manufacturer and Cost Information, Other Information, and Notes). So what is contained within each of these subsections? Read on to find out!<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-05.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 5: Epocrates Rx Pro has a wealth of information.</i><li><b>Adult Dosing:</b> Information featured in this subsection is summarised and straight to the point. It informs you of the class of drug, methods of application, as well as size and frequency of dose, among other things. In the case of <i>Hydrocort</i> as seen in Figure 5, you will notice that there is an extensive use of abbreviations so as to not crowd the screen with too much text. This has its ups and downs. While it clears quite a bit of screen space to make everything a little more legible, it may be daunting for the first-time user who has to adapt to this different style of presentation. Fortunately, abbreviations are used copiously in the medical profession so it wouldn't be anything new to most users. Additionally, Epocrates Rx Pro includes an abbreviations library (Figure 6) which is certainly a valuable feature to have.<br /><li><b>Paediatric Dosing:</b> The information contained within this subsection is similar to that of the "Adult Dosing" subsection. However, since it deals with paediatric cases, it also differentiates between neonates and children, and even certain age groups and height/weight ranges where appropriate. The attention to detail is nothing short of astounding.<br /><li><b>Contraindications / Cautions:</b> This subsection is an invaluable guide to cautions that should be exercised when prescribing a drug. It also integrates nicely with Epocrates Dx. For example, if prescription of the drug in a patient with <i>BPH</i> was cautioned, you could cross-reference <i>BPH</i> in Epocrates Dx to get the full lowdown.<br /><li><b>Drug Interactions:</b> This subsection utilises the program's <b>MultiCheck</b> feature which I will be discussing a little later. This page discusses cases that should be cautioned, avoided or monitored when the use of two or more drugs collude to produce possible undesired results. It also provides further information on advantages of joint use where appropriate. The structure of this subsection is well-devised as it avoids any screen clutter - a negative aspect otherwise seen in many other medical references. This is also an appropriate time to discuss Epocrates' intuitive use of pop-ups as seen in Figure 7. There are two types of links featured in this subsection. Tapping on the first link (drug-drug interaction link) initiates a pop-up at the top of the screen which details key points pertaining to the class of drug. Tapping on the second link (caret link) brings up another pop-up which lists drug names that conform to the class. I thought this was a fantastic feature of the program. The use of pop-ups does not clutter up the screen, and they disappear after ten seconds of inactivity, thus allowing you to return back to what you were browsing before. Of course, you can also get rid of the pop-ups manually by tapping on it.<br /><li><b>Adverse Reactions:</b> We all know that drugs have side-effects, and no drug reference would be complete without clinically relevant information on adverse reactions. This subsection categorises reactions by frequency and severity, making it easy to find what you want.<br /><li><b>Manufacturer and Cost Information:</b> I was pleasantly surprised to see a subsection devoted to this. The program provides cost information on branded drugs, which is sourced from <a href="http://www.drugstore.com">www.drugstore.com</a>. Costs are cleverly related to the size of the package (e.g. 30mg pack of 30 tablets - $40.72, and so on).<br /><li><b>Other Information:</b> This subsection features a vast array of material that cannot be classed in the other categories. Within this, you will find information relating to use of the drug and its effects on pregnancy, lactation, metabolism and excretion. There is also information on DEA/FDA alerts and the class of drug - the latter being of use if you prefer to list your Epocrates Rx Pro drug database by drug class. Some information is also provided on mechanism of action - this may be of benefit to medical students currently studying physiology and/or biochemistry.<br /><li><b>Notes:</b> This subsection allows you to add your own notes. This is an invaluable feature of Epocrates Rx Pro and it features in most of the other components of the Epocrates Essentials suite as you will later discover.<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-06.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 6: Abbreviations.</i><br /><PAGEBREAK><br />Just when you thought that was a load of subsections to discuss, there are more. The aforementioned pertained to branded and generic drugs, yet the database of alternative medicines have subsections of their own: Reported Uses, Reported Doses, Cautions, Drug Interactions, Adverse Reactions, Synonyms, Other Information, and Notes. The majority of these subsections detail information in a similar manner to the previously mentioned subsections of branded and generic drugs, yet the "Synonyms" subsection is a new one. It provides synonymous terms of the alternative medicines and is a great little thing to have.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-07.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 7: Pop-ups! How nifty!</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-08.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 8: MultiCheck provides a quick and easy way to check drug-drug and IV interactions.</i><br /><br />Now what about <b>MultiCheck</b>? I mentioned earlier that it was a feature used by the "Drug Interactions" subsections. Fortunately, it also happily exists as a usable interface which proves to be a valuable part of the program indeed. The MultiCheck feature lists the drugs in alphabetical order once again, and the "Look Up" feature is provided to simplify the searching process. You are able to select between two to thirty drugs and/or alternative medicines to assess any drug-drug or IV interactions. Once you have selected the drugs and chosen which form of interaction you wish to assess, you are taken to another screen which lists the possible interactions where appropriate. In Figure 8, you will see there is one possible interaction between <i>glipizide</i> and <i>glucosamine sulfate</i>. Tapping on the green link brings forth the nifty pop-up feature once again and it provides details pertaining to the interaction and what should be done in such an event. It is also worth noting that MultiCheck functions without a hitch; results can be extracted in a manner of seconds! The attention to detail in Epocrates Rx Pro is excellent, and overall, I really enjoyed what it had to offer. I would have loved to see greater support for branded drugs outside of the USA though. I was searching for a few Australian branded drugs, but due to the lack of these available in the program, I had to resort to reading the material on the generic drug instead.<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Epocrates Dx</b></span><br />Coming from Epocrates Rx Pro, I had high expectations of Epocrates Dx, and it happily lived up to it! The user interface is very similar to Epocrates Rx Pro, so you need not learn a whole new interface when switching between the two components of the Epocrates Essentials package. Epocrates Dx is sourced from Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult (5MCC), and is a well-structured reference to over 1,200 diseases and conditions, and much like Epocrates Rx Pro, the list entries are in alphabetical order but can be sorted in different ways (in this case, by diagnosis or by system). This happily allows for accommodation of almost every user's personal preference of browsing. The "Look Up" and "Epocrates Find" features I mentioned earlier are again present in Epocrates Dx, and function the same way. This simplifies the arduous task of finding information on a particular disease or condition in Epocrates Dx's huge database. Tapping on a disease name directs you to the main screen which, like Epocrates Rx Pro, features a drop-down box that allows you to browse through the list of subsections available. They are: Basics, Signs / Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Medications, Related Topics, Miscellaneous, and Notes. The information here is extensive, so let's have a look at what is on offer.<li><b>Basics:</b> This subsection makes good use of bookmarks, making navigation a breeze! It goes into great detail on the description of the disease or condition, and provides data on associative genetic factors where appropriate. However, it doesn't stop there! There is further material on the incidence and prevalence of the condition in the USA, age and sex predominance, paediatric and geriatric age-related outcomes, and risk factors. This is a wealth of information for both students and physicians alike, particularly those currently involved in public health. Aside from that, there is also a great deal of content on possible complications, expected course and prognosis, and associated conditions. Overall, there is a lot of statistical data presented in this subsection and it's good knowing that this is constantly revised and updated by the Epocrates team.<br /><li><b>Signs / Symptoms:</b> This subsection has a lot of content on signs and symptoms of the disease or condition. I cross-referenced the content with that of other well-known medical textbooks and was very happy with the great deal of accuracy shown in Epocrates Dx. The material is presented in bullet-point form making it very easy to read.<br /><li><b>Causes:</b> Much like the previous subsection, bullet-points are used to ease the reading process. Some statistical data is also seen in this section, and can be correlated with content in the "Basics" subsection. Overall, it is very well integrated.<br /><li><b>Diagnosis:</b> This is one of the bigger subsections of Epocrates Dx. While "Diagnosis" may sound straightforward by name, there is actually a lot to it and a great deal of integration is seen with Epocrates Lab so as to enhance information on diagnostic testing. The bookmark structure utilised in the "Basics" subsection is seen once again. There is a multitude of information on differential diagnosis, as well as information on imaging techniques and special tests suitable for diagnosis (interpretation of test results is also included). Aside from that, there is also material on diagnostic procedures as well as pathological findings relevant to the condition. Items listed in this area link back to the main interface of Epocrates Dx, thus allowing you to search for additional information on related diseases and conditions. Alongside that goldmine of content, Epocrates Dx finally includes information on laboratory testing (including drugs and disorders that may affect this), and due to the integrative structure of the Epocrates Essentials suite, it allows you to flick through to the next component (Epocrates Lab) to search for additional information on these laboratory procedures.<br /><li><b>Treatment:</b> Just when I thought "Diagnosis" was filled with information, I was pleasantly surprised to see the "Treatment" subsection deliver more of the same, and it is definitely an integral part to any reference guide on diseases and conditions. The bookmark structure is employed once more. Topics discussed include general and surgical measures, prevention methods and activity and dietary factors. This subsection goes so far to even discuss general health care settings and education programs suitable for the patient. It was astounding to see Epocrates Dx go into such great clinical detail. Where drug names are listed as forms of treatment, Epocrates Dx provides links which take you back to Epocrates Rx Pro for further information.<br /><li><b>Medications:</b> More of the same integration is seen in this subsection. It focuses on drugs and alternative medicines which may be worth considering when treating the patient.<br /><li><b>Related Topics:</b> It does what it says! Related diseases and/or conditions are listed here and linked to the respective part of Epocrates Dx so as to provide more information to the user.<br /><li><b>Miscellaneous:</b> Where information cannot be classed in the other subsections, it is featured here instead. If you wanted to know the ICD-9-CM codes, you got it! Aside from that, synonymous terms of the disease or condition are also provided, and known factors affecting pregnancy are also listed.<br /><li><b>Notes:</b> This subsection is exactly the same as that in Epocrates Rx Pro and allows you to add extra notes which may aid you in the future.<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-09.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 9: Epocrates Dx offers a multitude of subsections to browse through.</i><br /><br />So the verdict on Epocrates Dx? It's excellent and can be regarded as one of the best disease reference guides available. Its integrative capabilities with Epocrates Rx Pro and Epocrates Lab only add to its overall value.<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Epocrates Lab</b></span><br />Epocrates Lab was actually one of my favourites. Having spent the last year doing a bit of endocrinology work, I can now gripe over the fact that I hadn't used Epocrates Essentials sooner. It is an invaluable guide to diagnostics, in and out of the laboratory. It is designed to provide information on test preparation, interpretation of results, follow-up of tests and associative reimbursements. Once again, there is tight integration with the other Epocrates Essentials components. This version of Epocrates Lab is relatively new, and as such, fails to deliver the "Epocrates Find" feature I discussed earlier. While the "Look Up" feature is still present, it would have been great to have "Epocrates Find" make up for the limitations of "Look Up". However, that negative point aside, Epocrates Lab delivers more of that great clinically relevant content I have now come to expect after meticulously analysing Epocrates Rx Pro and Epocrates Dx. Once again, the database is listed in alphabetical order and offers different ways of sorting: by name, by specimen type, and by panels. Tapping on a list entry brings up the main information page, and like I discussed earlier in the review, is divided into subsections once more. These are: Basics, Reference Range, Interpretation, Preparation / Collection, Cost / Billing, and Notes.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-10.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 10: Epocrates Lab's primary user interface.</i><li><b>Basics:</b> Here, you will find a good description on the particular laboratory ingredient of interest. Synonymous terms are also provided as well as panel information, which link back to other database entries within Epocrates Lab.<br /><li><b>Reference Range:</b> Reference ranges commonly used in laboratory testing are provided here and are an indispensable feature of the program. When I did a bit of laboratory work a couple of years ago, there were countless number of times when I needed to look up reference ranges in bulky textbooks. If I had Epocrates Essentials sooner, I would have been able to do away with the textbooks and access it in the palm of my hand instead! Also, this subsection includes SI units which is always a bonus.<br /><li><b>Interpretation:</b> Depending on the laboratory test, there are times when you can choose between different interpretations (e.g. low or high) since each have their own clinically relevant cases. Like Epocrates Rx Pro, the use of two groups of links provide two different sets of information. By tapping on the main link as seen in Figure 11, you are presented with a pop-up at the top of the screen displaying clinically relevant comments and links to appropriate conditions related to the test result. Tapping on these links takes you to Epocrates Dx where you can get further information on the disease or condition. If you head back to the main screen and tap on the caret link, you are given follow-up information and links to other laboratory tests worth considering. The integration here is great!<br /><li><b>Preparation / Collection:</b> There is some useful information listed in this subsection - in particular, there is content covering specimen type, methods of preparation and collection, and even what container to use!<br /><li><b>Cost / Billing:</b> I still cannot get over the fact that information on test and panel costs are provided. In my opinion, this is definitely the icing on the cake. ICD-9's are also provided so it's great knowing that you need not look elsewhere to get these codes.<br /><li><b>Notes:</b> This is more of the same goodness that Epocrates Rx Pro and Epocrates Dx provided. I can see it being of great use in the laboratory environment when you need to jot down a few figures here and there. Being able to access it effortlessly while looking up reference ranges is a plus!<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-11.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 11: Pop-ups provide clinically relevant comments and links.</i><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Epocrates ID</b></span><br />Epocrates ID is essentially an infectious disease treatment guide and is enhanced by its tight integration with Epocrates Rx Pro. The method of listing is a little different to that of the aforementioned components of Epocrates Essentials. Epocrates ID sorts by bug, by drug or by system, yet each one delivers slightly different results. Searching by bug, as illustrated in Figure 12, lists bug names from A to Z. There are links conveniently placed on the right which provide small pop-up details on the class of bug. Tapping on the bug name itself directs you to another screen which lists infectious diseases in which this bug is commonly present. The list of diseases is commonly divided into categories where appropriate (e.g. adult and child). However, that's not the end of it all. Tapping on a particular disease takes you to another screen which has more of the subsections we've come to love: Empirical Therapies, Specific Therapies, Other Information and Notes. Going back to the root level of navigation, sorting by drug works similarly to sorting by bug. You are presented with the list of drugs with links on the right which provide pop-up details on the class of drug. Tapping on the drug name itself directs you to a list of diseases where the drug is commonly used, and from there, navigation works the same way as mentioned previously. Finally, sorting by system allows you to search for diseases which affect a particular body system. Tapping on the disease name takes you to the subsections once again. So what information do these subsections provide?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-12.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 12: Searching by bug in Epocrates ID.</i><li><b>Empirical and Specific Therapies:</b> Drug names are listed here, along with information on its rate and size of dosage. The drug names are actually links themselves, which direct the user back to Epocrates Rx Pro for further information on the drug. Again, this is a fine example of the tight integration of the Epocrates Essentials software.<br /><li><b>Other Information:</b> There is some very useful information here related to diagnosis, other forms of treatment as well as a source of references which allow you to read up on the infectious disease if you require more information.<br /><li><b>Notes:</b> The Notes feature is the same once again, but I can really see it being put to application around the hospitals where physicians can store patient notes on IDs in this section. Being able to access it on-hand, fast and painlessly, makes this one handy feature to have in the program.It's easy to get confused between Epocrates Dx and Epocrates ID since both focus on diseases. However, Epocrates Dx is more of a general disease guide, while Epocrates ID focuses heavily on infectious diseases. Both have their own purpose and complement each other well. Like Epocrates Lab, Epocrates ID fails to provide the "Epocrates Find" feature. However, "Look Up" is still provided which simplifies navigation to an extent.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-13.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 13: ID and Drugs - Integration with Epocrates Rx Pro.</i><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Epocrates Tables</b></span><br />Epocrates Tables is the final major reference component of Epocrates Essentials, and provides a wide range of reference tables on matters such as vaccination schedules and ACLS/PALS guidelines, among other things. Epocrates Tables (and Epocrates ID for that matter) are designed to integrate with the content included in Epocrates Rx Pro, thereby enhancing the great content already offered in the latter. All the information is listed in alphabetical order, and like Epocrates Lab and Epocrates ID, it lacks the "Epocrates Find" feature, so you have to resort to the "Look Up" feature if you want to search for a particular piece of information. Tapping on a list entry brings up a page of extended information, which is presented in an easy-to-read, categorised manner. References are also provided in case you wish to know a little more about it.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-14.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 14: Epocrates Tables in all its glory.</i><br /><br /><span><b>Epocrates MedTools</b></span><br />The final tab on the Epocrates Essentials interface is Epocrates MedTools, which at the moment, has two components: DocAlert and DocMemo. Both components are an essential part of any physician's life. DocAlert provides medical updates on-the-go by downloading content from the Epocrates server during the AutoUpdate process. When these are available, the program notifies you by providing subject titles of each news. In fact, DocAlert can be likened to an RSS reader, but instead, it takes the hard work out of setting up a server to download off, since it is all automated within AutoUpdate. You can then read up an abstract of the article, as illustrated in Figure 15. If you wanted to read the complete article, all you need to do is tap "Yes" and Epocrates will email you the article after the next AutoUpdate process. This is an intelligent feature, but it does have its negative aspects. The limitation obviously arises in the fact that you are unable to read the full article offline and locally on your device until you next connect to the internet. DocMemo works in a similar manner to the aforementioned "Notes" feature present in the other components of Epocrates Essentials. You can create and read memos by tagging them to specific subjects: Abstracts and Studies, Business, Clinical Trials, Drug Information, Epocrates Information, Guidelines, Personal, POEM, Trivia, Warnings, and Unfiled. Even better, you can edit the subject categories yourself by either renaming pre-existing ones, or adding new ones! Simple!<br /><br />Epocrates MedTools is also designed to be expandable with its MedMath tools. These include medical calculators (e.g. BMI, creatine clearance, GFR, cardiac risk, and hypertension) which can be downloaded and added to your device. However, it's not all bliss. I would have loved to test these out, yet unfortunately, they are not compatible with the Pocket PC. On the bright side, I was assured by the Epocrates team that an updated version of Epocrates Essentials will be released sometime in the first quarter of 2005, which will extend support for these expandable MedMath tools.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-15.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 15: DocAlert constantly offers updated clinical news.</i><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Bringing It All Together - Navigation Made Easy!</b></span><br />I've actually already mentioned quite a bit on the integrative aspects of Epocrates Essentials. Want information on drugs? The answer is Epocrates Rx Pro. Want information on conditions treated by those drugs? The answer is Epocrates Dx. Infectious diseases? Epocrates ID. What about drugs used to treat those infectious diseases? Back to Epocrates Dx. As you can see, everything is tight-knit, and the only way you can work your way around tight integration is an easy-to-use interface. Thankfully, Epocrates Essentials provides that. From the many screenshots in this review, you can see that everything is structured around a tabbed interface. Moving from one program to the next is only one tap away. The program's intuitive use of a "Back" button allows you to flip back to the previous page. "Home" takes you back to the main screen of the respective program, while the other buttons facilitate searching, scrolling back to the top of the page, and gaining access to the MultiCheck tool.<br /><br /><span><b>Making Epocrates Work The Way You Want It To</b></span><br />Epocrates Essentials also allows for customisation of the user interface. Figure 16 illustrates the option to move the scrollbar to the left (perfect for left-handers). On top of that, you can also configure the default start tab and method of sorting for each component of Epocrates Essentials.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-epocratesessentials-16.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 16: Epocrates Essentials allows you to tweak the user interface.</i><br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />After reviewing Epocrates Essentials, I was left in awe at its attention to detail and well-structured interface. Perhaps the best feature of the program would be its tight integrative structure, but every other feature is well regarded in my opinion. Whether you're after information on drugs, diseases, diagnostics, or updated medical news, Epocrates Essentials delivers it. While each component can be purchased separately, I believe that the entire Essentials package will deliver a better user experience! As a student or physician, you will discover that you will end up using all components of the Epocrates Essentials package if you are wanting to get the best and most detailed reference material in the palm of your hand. However, there is still room for improvement which the Epocrates team appear to be working on in the near future. I will be undertaking quite a bit of pathophysiology work next year, and I'll be happy to have Epocrates Essentials in my pocket as a handy reference guide. It beats having to lug reference books around any day!