The iPad has created a great deal of buzz in the tech community. The medical and healthcare community at large are set to benefit from some of its key features, mentioned in our prior posting. One of these key features, the beautiful 1024 by 768 pixel, 9.7 inch screen, is set to change the overall user experience for medical apps that have a focus on imaging, such as anatomy applications. Although this medical app review was done using an iPod Touch, we can only imagine how much more aesthetically pleasing the iPad’s experience will be. As will be discussed later in the post, these applications are a perfect example of how the upcoming iPad could be used in the clinic setting to improve patient education.
A key thing to remember is your iPhone medical apps will run just fine on the iPad. This post will review a trio of Modality’s latest anatomy flash card apps and provide extensive pictures of the following: Clemente’s Anatomy, Rohen’s Photographic Anatomy, and Moore’s Clinical Anatomy.
Modality now has a variety of Anatomy Flashcard apps to choose from, depending on your preference. In addition to Netter’s Anatomy, an app we reviewed awhile back, Modality’s newest editions are Clemente’s, Moore’s and Rohen’s anatomy. They are all priced at $24.99 (except for Netter’s, which is still $39.99).
Due to the similarities of these applications they will be reviewed in one post. I’ve been using Modality’s Netter’s Anatomy Flashcards app for almost a year now and have a good reference to compare these new apps to.
Ultimately, your choice of anatomy app will come down to the anatomy book you like or the anatomy book your school uses. I originally chose the Netter’s app for this reason. These apps have generally the same user interface, and mainly differ on the type of anatomy images they provide. However, individually, they each have some strengths and weaknesses.
Clemente’s
- Strengths: Great for the lymphatic system and also for schematics to simplify diagrams (e.g. brachial plexus, spinal nerve roots, dermatomes, etc.); Some X-ray images included; Excellent for bones and muscles.
- Weaknesses: Lacks “back of card” information that explains the anatomy in the illustration.