Smartphones and tablets are playing an evergrowing role not only in our personal, but also in our professional lives. Developers are bringing new medical apps into the marketplace on a nearly daily bases. This section of UrologyMatch.com will help you keep track of Urology-related apps.
• The Urology App Review Corner has been compiled and will be managed by Matthew Sterling, MD. Matt received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He recently started his residency in Urology at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Click on each column's header to re-sort the list of apps. Don't see an app you think should be included? Email us at collectingsystem @ urologymatch .com
Submitted on Thu, 06/14/2012 - 02:30
Prostate Health is an application intended for patients diagnosed with benign or malignant diseases of the prostate, has lower urinary tract symptoms, or is a man >50 years old preparing for his first trip to the urologist. It provides extensive information about the prostate, going from an anatomical explanation of the prostate gland to chapters including prostate symptoms, prostatic evaluation, the PSA, biopsy of the prostate, BPH, cancer of the prostate, and prostatitis. Within each chapter includes information essentially about anything associated with these diseases such as symptoms, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatments. Additionally, there are sections in the app where suggestions are given regarding lifestyle changes that patients can make to improve their prostatic symptoms or when it’s time to see a physician. The app also includes the IPSS survey, allowing for the patient to assess their lower urinary tract symptoms and whether they are severe enough to see a physician. Finally, any word that may seem foreign to the average patient is hyperlinked to an additional page for further information on that word.
Submitted on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 02:37
ICN Food List is an application intended for patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. It provides an extensive list of foods across the following categories: beverages, dairy, desserts, dried goods, fruits, grains, meats, nuts and oils, seasonings, snacks, soups, supplements, vegetables, and wine/spirits (pretty much covers it all). Within each category the patient has several options. The user can search for foods via a keyword search, scroll through the many foods within each category, or navigate by further categorizing foods based on whether they are defined as ‘bladder friendly,’ ‘worth trying cautiously,’ or ‘to avoid.’ When selecting a specific food, a separate page appears that will label the food into one of the above categories and provide examples of similar foods that are also in these ‘good, ok, and harmful’ subgroups. Furthermore, the page contains a picture and a paragraph describing why the food is either bladder friendly or harmful as a way of educating patients about the lifestyle changes that they should make to improve their symptoms and long-term outcomes. Lastly, the main page provides general information about fighting IC flare-ups, how to handle wine/spirits, and how to use the list of foods in the app.
Submitted on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 18:04
Urological Cancer Nomograms is a basic application that allows users access to nearly 30 several different prostate cancer nomograms developed at the University of Montreal. The app breaks the nomograms up into different categories based on whether the nomogram deals with the cancer prior to diagnosis, prior to treatment, after surgery, after PSA relapse, and when reaching hormonal refractory status. Nomograms are set up in typical iPhone format, allowing for easy data entry and calculation. Additionally, there is a link within each nomogram that allows access to the research paper or abstract by which the nomogram was created.
Submitted on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 04:19
Similar to drawMD: Urology, this addition is also a robust application by which urology residents, fellows, and urologists can use images and free-hand drawing to educate their patients about urologic diseases and procedures. The app allows the physician to use several backdrops associated with female pelvic surgery including pelvic organ prolapse, occult stress incontinence, midurethral slings (sagittal and oblique), uterine prolapse, vaginal prolapse, and anterior and posterior wall prolapse. Physicians also have the option to use a blank backdrop or even import an image from ones photo library and use that as the backdrop for drawing. Next, the physician has the option to draw freehand on the backdrop image, write text, or add different elements to an image (i.e. sacrocolpopexy, hysterectomy, vaginal mesh, slings, bladder prolapse, etc (there are many different options here)). Additionally, each image can be manipulated using multitouch technology as well as with controls that appear on the screen by just touching the object. The images can then be saved for use later or can be emailed to patients or colleagues. One of the best features is that the image can be converted to a pdf version for easy printing or printed wirelessly.
Submitted on Sun, 02/05/2012 - 22:05
This is a robust application containing a large amount of information on the entire urinary system. There are 21 different topics covered, including (urinary system, kidney, kidney layers, afferent circulation, renal tubule, efferent circulation, juxtaglomerular apparatus, filtration, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, urology, urinary system development, urologic procedures, urologic disease, symptoms, congenital malformations, renal physiology, renal failure, dialysis, nephropathy). Each section goes into great detail, describing all major components of the chapter topic, including anatomy, embryology, histology, physiology, etc. Information is delivered mostly in text format, with images that in my opinion do more to fill space than support the text presented.
