Orthopedics Patient Education by CoherentRX

Orthopedics Patient Education by CoherentRX   

Anatomy and Educational tool 

CoherentRX  has created an app to help orthopaedic surgeons and their workforce improve patient education and comprehension. CoherentRX Orthopedics has multiple features: 3-D anatomy visuals, drawing tools to mark visuals, photo and screenshot uploads as well as text and email info that is HIPAA compliant. While all of these features are powerful tools the app lacks ease to use. CoherentRX Orthopedics is very well priced $2.99/year (one of the cheaper patient educational options) however it is not the best patient educational tool on the market. While it has multiple features that are useful, the lack of disease specifics educational modules makes it difficult to actually use in practice. I applaud CoherentRX on making an Orthopedic app that has the potential to improve patient comprehension and education, however the app is still behind other players in the market.

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https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/medibabble/id355398880?mt=8

AAOS Access

Complete video content from the AAOS

The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has now created a mobile app portal for access to an entire library of AAOS video content.  The AAOS Access app includes the ability to view, download, and save videos from the Orthopaedic Video Theater, previously only found on the AAOS website.  The user interface is easy to navigate, with a navigation tab on the left providing shortcuts to featured videos, special collections, or specific topics.  Videos can be downloaded for viewing, or streamed directly on the device.  Video and audio content is very good, and can be watched in full screen mode.   The current collection (March 2015) includes 414 videos, an impressive collection, and certainly more will be added in the future.  Additional features include a search function as well as a bookmark tool for easily accessing favorites.

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OrthoEvidence

Mobile access to OrthoEvidence, including a reading list and full ACE reports

OrthoEvidence is a new app that complements existing subscriptions to the OrthoEvidence product.  For more information, please see www.MyOrthoEvidence.com.  The premise of the platform is to provide “ACE” reports (Advanced Clinical Evidence Report) and improve evidence-based practice.  The app is an extension of the website and is very well designed and easy to use.

After logging in, the app has a home screen where recently added articles are populated in chronological order.  However, the menu allows for easy sorting by specialty as well.  When an article looks interesting to the reader, a quick “left swipe” allows for the option to add to reading list or add to favorites.  In this way, the user can easily scan new articles and select which ones should be saved for future review.  When ready to read, the reading and favorite lists are easy to access and list the selected articles. Impressively, the iPhone and iPad version sync with each other and selected readings on one device become available on the other (ie: select articles while “on the go” with your iPhone, but read them at a later time on your iPad). With one tap the ACE reports becomes immediately available.  For those who use OE, the ACE report has the same familiar appearance and includes links to the full text article (if available), a PubMed link, graphical representations of the Risk of Bias and Reporting score, and the synopsis and summary.  Added features include the ability to comment, rate the paper, and share via Facebook, Twitter, or Email.  The app also includes a robust search feature which includes a simple search (keyword) and advanced options (filter by date, score, bias, verification, or selected journals).  It is clear that the developers have taken every effort to create and intuitive, easy, and efficient app to complement their existing website.

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JBJS Journals

Tablet access to all four JBJS titles.

One of the leading orthopaedic journals, JBJS, has released a fully-functional app for searching and reading content from their four journals: The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, JBJS Reviews, JBJS Case Connector, and JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques. The app includes the functionality that would be expected of any comparable journal app: the ability to select articles, view full-text or PDF versions, search for articles or search within articles for terms, select favorites, and share articles with colleagues.  A nice feature includes the option to “Open in…” another program, allowing for easy download and transfer of PDFs into a personal archiving system or into an annotation app for future review.  The app is simple and easy to navigate without many bells and whistles.  The version I reviewed only has the current journal editions available, but hopefully archive data will be available in future.

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Sports Fellow Self Assessment Exam

Self Assessment exam from the AOSSM for Sports Fellows

This app is designed for fellows in sports medicine. The app is designed for the user to take a quiz and then review the responses.  Quizzes can be selected, downloaded, and then reviewed, and includes answers, explanations, and images.  It has a similar format to AOSSM Self Assessment Exam app.

*Requires registration

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PhysioMD

Physical Therapy app created by orthopaedic surgeons for specific injuries.

This app is designed to be “Rehab where you want it, when you want it.”  The app organizes therapy into different phases for different injuries, and specific therapy packages can be purchased individually for each injury.  To get started, the user selects their gender, injured area, and mechanism of injury – which presumably influences the injuries that are presented on the following page. Once an injury is selected, the exercise package can be purchased and installed for about $7.99. For shoulder instability, for example, there are 4 phases: Acute, Mobility/Strengthening, Strengthening/Limited, and Return to Sport. The app developers require the user to confirm that he/she has completed the previous objectives before advancing.  Once into each module, an extensive list of exercises are shown with images, description, and links to high-quality videos demonstrating the exercise.

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Current Orthopaedic Practice Journal

Mobile access to the Current Orthopaedic Practice Journal

This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

*Requires subscription for full text access

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Biomet Orthosize

Image templating viewer for Biomet implants

This app is designed for pre-operative templating of Biomet implants and works in conjunction with their web platform at www.Orthosize.com. The purpose is not to template on the mobile device, but rather to review or modify images created with the desktop software.  To use the app, contact your Biomet representative.

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Arthrex Synergy

Image and Video app that works in conjunction with Arthrex’s arthroscopy tower

This app works with Arthrex’s arthroscopy tower and allows for each transfer of images and videos to an iPad for editing, patient education, and sharing.  Use of the app and login information can be obtained from your device representative.

The app is organized into a list of patients with their corresponding images. Once a patient is selected, the images can be viewed individually, with a few editing features for enhancement. For example, this includes saturation adjustment, contrast adjustment, and the ability to annotate with text, lines, and circles/arrows. The benefit of annotation is that images can then be selected for sharing with the patient, via email.  In addition to the images, links can be provided for documentation on related implants, or documents uploaded by the surgeon.  The surgeon can also record a video message or narration of the diagnosis and treatment.

Arthrex has gone to appropriate lengths to ensure that all transmissions are HIPAA compliant, and sharing the images generates 2 emails, the second with a secure password that allows the patient to unlock the attachment in the first email.

Overall, this is a very high quality app that complements their associated medical devices.

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AOSSM Self Assessment Exam

Self Assessment exam from the AOSSM

This app is designed for surgeons preparing to take the subspecialty orthopaedic surgery exam in sports medicine. The app is designed for the user to take a quiz and then review the responses.  Quizzes can be selected, downloaded, and then reviewed, and includes answers, explanations, and images.

*Requires purchase of exam

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Spine MD

A personal practice app for Dr. Todd Lanman with patient information, videos, and peri-operative as well as post-operative rehabilitation education.

This personal practice app is a full-featured patient portal for Dr. Todd Lanman, a spine surgeon in Beverly Hills. Powered by CARE, the app provides a personalized website and personalized physical therapy/rehabilitation protocols for patients.   The app is incredibly comprehensive by providing information to patients about their surgery, their surgeon, and lists the exercises they should be performing week-by-week after surgery with complete video demonstrations.  Pre- and post-operative information is available to patients, and the post-operative physical therapy protocol is clearly organized for patients to reference either at home or at the gym.  The user interface is intuitive and visually appealing. Overall, the application has been well implemented and would be a great benefit to any patients of Dr. Lanman.

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HS/KS/AAHKS Specialty Day

A meeting app for the Hip Society/Knee Societ 2013

This app is a meeting app for the Hip Society and Knee Society. Unfortunately, the app requires a personal login for access. Thus, a detail review cannot be provided at this time.

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HAND Journal

A journal app for the Hand Journal.

This is a journal app for Hand. Unfortunately, the app requires a personal login for access. Thus, a detail review cannot be provided at this time.

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JBJS Reviews

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery has added a new publication to their portfolio. JBJS Reviews is a dedicated online journal meant to publish clinical information in a mobile/web based format. As a result JBJS has created a new app meant to serve as the platform through which JBJS Reviews will be presented to mobile readers. JBJS’s  app has an easy to use interface that allows readers to search, create favorites and follow recent articles they have looked up. In addition, while I commonly give Journals a difficult time for using an inferior pdf viewer to read articles. JBJS Reviews allows the reader to download the pdf and read the article in any pdf viewer of their choosing. The interface to read the articles is a little buggy as buttons overlap one another. Hopefully with the next version of this app they will improve the article viewing options. Overall, a well made app that will definitely be used by the readership of the JBJS.

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https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jbjs-reviews/id787553942?mt=8

AJSM (American Journal of Sports Medicine)

Mobile Access to the American Journal of Sports Medicine

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) has done an excellent job producing another of its reputable journals onto a mobile platform. The American Journal of Sports Medicine app has allowed journal subscribers with easy- to-use access of the magazine in app form. The app has many advanced features such as searching for relevant topics within all issues of the publication, allowing users to save favorite articles and sharing journal articles easily through email. These up-to-date app features makes this app an excellent tool on the iPhone and iPad. In addition, the AJSM has started to build video and audio content which can become an important educational tool for viewers in the future. My only criticism that I made with other apps from the AOSSM is the reader software used to view the journal articles is slightly clunk and doesn’t allow you to make notes or easily manipulate the journal articles. However, once the developers build more video and audio content into the app it will quickly become a must have for anyone in the field.

Overall a very useful Journal application with advanced app features.

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ICJR – International Congress for Joint Reconstruction

This comprehensive app includes joint reconstruction lectures, procedures, and technologies.

This free app is published by the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction (ICJR), a nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of orthopaedic care. The app is very well made and includes video presentations from past ICJR meetings. The current version can be accessed in guest mode which permits 3 video downloads.  As of August 2013, there were 35 conferences with videos to access and 9 more upcoming in the next 2 years.  The app also includes the ability to save videos for watching later, search by faculty, and search for particular topics.  The app includes other common features such as video sharing via email and full screen video review.  The video I downloaded was very high quality.

*Requires login for full access. Guest access limited to 3 videos.

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Sports Health-HD

Mobile access to Sports Health publication

This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  The key feature, however, is the integration of links among the table of contents, emailing links, posting to twitter and facebook, and hopefully the future integration of digital media.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

*Requires subscription for full text access

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UCSF Center for Joint Replacement

Mobile-based post-operative rehabilitation exercises for UCSF Joint Replacement patients

UCSF has teamed up with CARE to set the standard for the future of mobile rehabilitation.  Currently implemented by the UCSF Joint Replacement program and created by physical therapists, the app provides a personalized website and personalized physical therapy/rehabilitation protocols for patients.   The app is incredibly comprehensive by providing information to patients about their surgery, their surgeon, and lists the exercises they should be performing week-by-week after surgery with complete video demonstrations.

When a patient is enrolled he/she will only see information and post-operative protocols that have been specifically selected by their surgeon.  The app itself consists of the sections described above.  Pre- and post-operative information is available to patients, and the post-operative physical therapy protocol is clearly organized for patients to reference either at home or at the gym.  Overall, the application has been well implemented

*Requires enrollment by the UCSF Joint Replacement program.

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Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics – British

Mobile access to the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (British)

The Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (British) is part of a series of digital journal conversions by Wolters Kluwer.  This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  The key feature, however, is the integration of links among the table of contents, emailing links, posting to twitter and facebook, and hopefully the future integration of digital media.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

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Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics – American

Mobile access to the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (American)

The Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (American) is part of a series of digital journal conversions by Wolters Kluwer.  This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  The key feature, however, is the integration of links among the table of contents, emailing links, posting to twitter and facebook, and hopefully the future integration of digital media.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

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Top Ortho “App”

Download the www.TopOrthoApps.com iPhone app!  You’re already on the website, why not have on-the-go access direct from your iPhone?  This app has all of the best Top Ortho App lists that you’re used to: Top Apps, Free Apps, iPad Apps, Journals, Sports Apps, and much more!  Full reviews and screenshots are all available for free.

This app has all of the best Top Ortho App lists that you’re used to: Top Apps, Free Apps, iPad Apps, Journals, Sports Apps, and much more!  Full reviews and screenshots are all available for free.

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AAOS eBooks

Full-featured app for downloading and reading books in your AAOS bookshelf library. Text and images are all very clean and apps runs smoothly.

AAOS eBooks, that provides mobile access to titles purchased from their web-based store. As of writing, the store includes 8 popular titles, but is expected to increase to over 30 titles within the next few months.  Unfortunately purchases cannot be made directly through the app, but rather must be paid for on the website.  In addition, although the app asks users to log in via their AAOS username and password, this is an error and rather users must register at the AAOS eBookstore website (www.ebooks.aaos.org) to gain login information. After logging in, users can view the books they have purchased and can download them selectively, ranging in size from about 10-80 Mb.  Once downloaded, the text viewer has typical options, including the ability to change the font, change text size, adjust brightness, highlight text, make notes, and place bookmarks.  The annotation functions are primitive, at best, and even the instructions for highlighting require 4 separate steps each time.  The books themselves are of high quality, text is crisp, and images are clear, however the user cannot increase the image size, which often prevents fully appreciating many of the detailed illustrations.  Because books are downloaded to the device, they are accessible even without internet access, which is a valuable feature.  The app is still primitive in its feature set and title selection.  In addition, some books, such as OKU 10, already ship with a CD that includes a digital PDF version of the book, which is much easier to read and annotate using any of the popular PDF readers for mobile devices.

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Bone and Joint

Full-featured app for reviewing and sharing JBJS (British), Bone & Joint Research, and Bone & Joint 360.

The British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery has also leapt into the mobile world with Bone and Joint, an iPad and iPhone app for viewing their collection of publications: The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (British), Bone & Joint Research, and Bone & Joint³⁶⁰. The app is available for free, however the full text version requires either a personal subscription or institutional access.  The reading pane includes a sidebar for browsing the current or previous issue organized by table of contents.  When an article is selected, the user can either view “abstract” or “full text.”  The full-text version appears in a condensed format, with tables and figures accessible via direct links.  In addition, all references can be directly tapped to link directly to the abstract.  The user can also choose to “download PDF” which opens the document with options for full screen viewing as well as sharing.  The share feature is surprisingly functional: the app generates an email that attaches the full-text PDF article.  Other features contained within the app include the ability to view only images and figures, select articles as favorites, full-text search capabilities, and history browsing.  All three journals named above are viewed in the same format, however users only have access to journals that are specifically included in their personal or institutional access.  Overall, very smooth integration of multiple journals and institutional access.  The ability to directly attach PDF articles to emails is a very useful feature.

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Mobile Coder Foot and Ankle

This is a useful coding app designed specifically for surgeons who perform foot and ankle surgery.  The app download is free and allows the user to view all sections, however the complete 12-section download require an in-app purchase of $49.99. The taskbar is organized into four sections.  The “patients” tab allows the user to add patient records and includes information such as facility, date/time, patient info, assistant, and comments.  That record can then be associated with the second section: CPT.  CPT codes are organized by body region and separated by the usual CPT categories.  A search function is available, and the user can identify favorite codes to save time during future entries.  The codes themselves include options to include modifiers and the interface is easy to navigate.  The third tab is a patient history section, and the fourth tab is a configuration tab where the user can enter facilities and surgical assistants.  The program includes help alerts for every screen that are initially informative, but must be turned off in the configuration tab because they quickly become bothersome.  Overall, the app is one of many coding apps available and will appeal to many surgeons, however there does not appear to be support for ICD-9 codes if that is an important feature to you.

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CARE for Patients

This app and service sets the standard for the future of mobile medicine.  Created by physical therapists, the app is an extension of the CARE subscription service available to surgeons which provides a personalized website and personalized physical therapy/rehabilitation protocols for patients.   The app is incredibly comprehensive by providing information to patients about their surgery, their surgeon, and lists the exercises they should be performing week-by-week after surgery with complete video demonstrations.

The power of this application, however, is a surgeon’s ability to create a fully customizable practice website and personalized app.  Thus, when a patient is enrolled he/she will only see information and post-operative protocols that have been specifically selected by their surgeon.  In essence, the app allows any orthopaedic surgeons to have their own personal app for patients.

The app itself consists of the sections described above.  Pre- and post-operative information is available to patients, and the post-operative physical therapy protocol is clearly organized for patients to reference either at home or at the gym.  Overall, the application has been well implemented and the service is currently being used by various academic and private practices nationwide.

***Special Offer: for surgeons/practices interested in learning more about CARE for Patients™, mention “TopOrthoApps” and receive a 10% discount on any enrollment!***

*Requires enrollment/subscription.  Receive 10% discount by mentioning TopOrthoApps.com!  Find out more here.

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Mobile Coder Hand & Wrist

This is a useful coding app designed specifically for surgeons who perform hand surgery.  The app download is free and includes 2 sections, however the complete 14-sections download require an in-app purchase of $49.99. The taskbar is organized into four sections.  The “patients” tab allows the user to add patient records and includes information such as facility, date/time, patient info, assistant, and comments.  That record can then be associated with the second section: CPT.  CPT codes are organized by body region and separated by the usual CPT categories.  A search function is available, and the user can identify favorite codes to save time during future entries.  The codes themselves include options to include modifiers and the interface is easy to navigate.  The third tab is a patient history section, and the fourth tab is a configuration tab where the user can enter facilities and surgical assistants.  The program includes help alerts for every screen that are initially informative, but must be turned off in the configuration tab because they quickly become bothersome.  Overall, the app is one of many coding apps available and will appeal to many surgeons, however there does not appear to be support for ICD-9 codes if that is an important feature to you.

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Mobile Coder Orthopedics

Overall: 3+
Functionality: 4+
Coolness: 3

This is a useful coding app designed specifically for orthopaedic surgeons.  The taskbar is organized into four sections.  The “patients” tab allows the user to add patient records and includes information such as facility, date/time, patient info, assistant, and comments.  That record can then be associated with the second section: CPT.  CPT codes are organized by body region and separated by the usual CPT categories.  A search function is available, and the user can identify favorite codes to save time during future entires.  The codes themselves include options to include modifiers and the interface is easy to navigate.  The third tab is a patient history section, and the fourth tab is a configuration tab where the user can enter facilities and surgical assistants.  The program includes help alerts for every screen that are initially informative, but must be turned off in the configuration tab because they quickly become bothersome.  Overall, the app is one of many coding apps available and will appeal to many surgeons, however there does not appear to be support for ICD-9 codes if that is an important feature to you.

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