If you’re like most people, you probably carry your phone on you at all times. But aside from checking emails and staying in touch with friends, you’re probably not getting the most out of your smartphone, especially when it comes to your health—but that’s about to change.
There is an entire world of healthcare resources at your fingertips if you seek them out. But with so many to choose from and limited space on your device, where do you even start? Don’t worry—we did all the work for you and put together this list of helpful healthcare apps to save you time.
Keep reading to learn more about the best healthcare apps that you—and everyone you know—need on your phone.
20 Healthcare apps any pro would be wise to download
General health apps
1. WebMD
WebMD (Google Play, App Store) is a juggernaut among health apps. Users can search for conditions and ailments by logging their symptoms in the symptom checker function. The WebMD app provides extensive information on medical conditions and first aid treatment tips. The app also connects users with a drug information database and a pill identification tool to ensure users they are taking the correct medicine.
2. First Aid–American Red Cross
The First Aid app from the American Red Cross (Google Play, App Store) provides practically all of the emergency information you need to access when life calls for it. The app contains simple step-by-step instructions—complete with illustrations and videos on how to respond in critical first aid situations. This app covers topics such as seizures, choking, diabetic emergencies, burns, CPR and more.
3. Doctor on Demand
The Doctor on Demand app (Google Play, App Store) allows users to seek medical attention from board-certified physicians whenever they need, 24 hours a day. Users can video chat with doctors, discuss their symptoms for common ailments, and receive a virtual exam. Doctors can prescribe treatments or medications or refer patients to specialists to follow up with.
Nutrition apps
4. Fooducate
The Fooducate nutrition app (Google Play, App Store) helps you make wise choices at the grocery store. Users can scan barcodes to see how healthy items are and how much other users like them. The app also allows for tracking hunger levels, sleep and even mood. Fooducate also provides users with feedback to meet their nutritional goals.
5. HealthyOut
Eating healthy at home is one thing, but making healthy choices at restaurants is another. The HealthyOut app (Google Play, App Store) helps users find options at local restaurants that are healthy or meet their dietary restrictions. Users can filter down selections on dishes, such as low-carb, heart healthy, paleo or lactose-free selections.
6. Waterlogged
The Waterlogged app (Google Play, App Store) helps users track their water consumption. Consistently drinking the standard recommendation of eight glasses of water per day isn’t always easy, but this app helps by allowing you to log your water intake and check your daily water goal. Plus, when you can set helpful reminders to get more water throughout the day.
Physical therapy apps
7. Physioadvisor
The Physioadvisor physical therapy app (Google Play, App Store) features exercises selected to benefit the general population. Using the most commonly prescribed physical therapy exercises, the app features over 500 exercises and instruction on how to perform them. The featured exercises are all put together by experienced physical therapists. Reminder functions keep users on a regular exercise schedule. Plus, custom rehabilitation exercise regimes can be sent to patient’s accounts, making it a great tool for providers as well.
8. Pain Therapy: Physical Therapy Exercise Videos
This physical therapy app (App Store) is ideal for those who want an extra level of instruction in their home exercises. The app boasts an extensive collection of physical therapy exercises and stretches in video format, with physical therapists demonstrating and guiding viewers along the way. The app is accessible with video transcriptions and language selections, such as English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
9. PT Timer Lite: Stretch & Exercise
The PT Timer Lite: Stretch & Exercise physical therapy app (App Store) allows patients to enter their prescribed exercises along with relevant notes and visuals. The app provides verbal commands and prompts patients along as they do their workouts. It tracks reps, keeps time for patients throughout their workout and allows users to track their progress.
Pharmacy apps
10. OneRx
The OneRx pharmacy app (Google Play, App Store) helps patients compare the cost of prescription drugs. When a doctor prescribes a medicine that a patient cannot afford, this app helps them by finding suitable alternatives within their price range. Patients add their insurance information to begin comparing pricing at pharmacies nearby.
11. Medisafe Meds & Pill Reminder
This is a must-have pharmacy app (Google Play, App Store) for anyone taking multiple prescriptions at any given time. The app allows you to customize and maintain multiple profiles to house all of you or your loved one’s prescription medication information. Users can customize settings to receive reminders for taking each prescription added to their profile—which can help prevent missed doses or accidentally doubling up.
Mental health apps
12. Talkspace
Talkspace (Google Play, App Store) is an app that connects user with licensed therapists from any device. Users take an assessment and are paired with a therapist. From there they can choose to send text messages, audio messages or video messages in a private, text-based chat room. The app aims to reduce the stigma and barriers of accessibility associated with therapy.
13. TalkLife
TalkLife (Google Play, App Store) is the perfect app for anyone who’s dealing with a difficult situation and just needs to talk to someone or vent. This app connects users to provide a safe and supportive place to talk about the issues in their lives and find connections with others facing similar struggles. Worried about putting yourself out there? You also have the option to anonymously share your thoughts. Life’s tough on everyone at some point—this app makes it so you don’t have to face it alone.
14. Happify
The Happify app (Google Play, App Store) supports users’ emotional health and well-being through science-backed practices. Happify offers daily activities, games, meditations and assessments to boost emotional health. The goal of the app is to train users’ thought processes to turn happiness into a regular habit, build resilience and overcome negative thoughts.
Wellness apps
15. Power Nap App
Sleep is essential to one’s health, and when that’s not possible, power naps can help revitalize and reenergize you. The Power Nap App (App Store) stays true to its purpose—the alarm function maxes out at 30 minutes for optimal power nap time. Users enjoy relaxing sounds of rain, the beach or thunderstorms to fall asleep and can select from a variety of gentle wake up alarm tones, such as birds or bells.
16. Meditation Studio
The Meditation Studio app (Google Play, App Store) offers 250 different guided meditations to choose from, led by 30 meditation experts. Curated collections of meditations offer different themes that cater to addressing issues with stress, sleep, confidence-building, kindness and anxiety. Most meditations run less than ten minutes in length, meaning users can fit them into their busy schedules and a handy calendar function means users can schedule meditations to ensure they keep a regular regimen.
17. Yoga Wake Up
The Yoga Wake Up app (App Store) offers users a better start to their day—with mindful and energizing yoga routines. Rather than the harsh tones of an alarm clock, Yoga Wake Up provides users with yoga audio sequences that can be done without getting out of bed. Sequences vary in focus from meditation to stretching and setting intentions for the day in 10-minute sessions.
Healthcare professional apps
18. Medscape
Medscape is a handy app (Google Play, App Store) of all things medical—including drug and disease information, medical calculators, drug interaction checkers, pill identifiers, medical news and continuing educational resources. This app serves as a “one-stop shop” reference guide and is beloved by healthcare professionals and students.
19. Muscle System Pro
Muscle System Pro (App Store), developed with the help of Stanford University School of Medicine, features extensive visualizations of human anatomy. Users can examine the human muscle system, with 360-degree rotation of any body part and 10 layers of muscle visualizations. The app allows users to zoom in and watch animations, take notes and share screenshots. It’s a great resource for healthcare students and can be a handy reference for providers.
20. Epocrates
The Epocrates app (Google Play, App Store) offers a deep well of knowledge that’s perfect for healthcare professionals to reference as needed. The app contains extensive information on ICD-10 codes, clinical guidelines and prescription drugs, including drug interactions and pill identification resources. The app also features a texting function that’s HIPAA compliant, allowing physicians and other healthcare professionals to message each other in a private and secure setting.
Now you know …
Healthcare apps place the information, support and resources you need right in the palm of your hand. Not only are they convenient, but they keep your health where it should be—at the top of your mind.
Share these resources with friends and family and be sure to keep up to date with healthy and mindful practices by checking out our article, “21 Wellness Blogs to Help You Stay Happy & Healthy.”
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