Apps on smartphones and tablets are not just for entertainment. They provide medical professionals with a powerful tool to engage clients, discuss interesting cases, and perform medical calculations. If you are looking for the best apps for general practitioners, this guide is for you.
We have compiled seven must-have clinical tools covering various aspects of patient care. Whether you want to improve patient engagement, simplify tasks, or keep up-to-date with the newest medical developments, there is probably an app for that.
Learn how to simplify your practice workflow and free up more time for patients with Medesk.
Open the detailed description >>1. Medesk Meet: Best Telehealth App
Medesk is practice management software available on Apple iOS and Google Android. Its main features include online booking, electronic health records, scheduling, billing, reports and analytics, and telemedicine.
The team has created a dedicated app, Medesk Meet, for virtual consultations for doctors of all specialities, including GPs.
It enables GPs to provide virtual appointments without compromising the quality of care. The app is part of the broader Medesk practice management platform, meaning that patient data, appointment scheduling, and billing are all in one spot.
Key features
- One-click telemedicine appointments
- Online booking via the patient portal
- Secure storage with GDPR-compliant encryption
- Virtual waiting rooms and automated appointment reminders
- Easy file sharing and medical record access
Use Medesk Meet for new patients who cannot visit your clinic, follow-up appointments, and repeat prescriptions.
Who it is best for
- General practitioners offering virtual consultations
- Clinics using Medesk for practice management
- Healthcare providers seeking compliant video calls
You can download the free app at the App Store or Google Play.
Medesk helps automate scheduling and record-keeping, allowing you to recreate an individual approach to each patient, providing them with maximum attention.
Learn more >>2. Epocrates: Best Medical Reference App
Epocrates is a globally trusted reference app for quick access to drug information, clinical references, and treatment protocols.
It provides a vast library of peer-reviewed articles and clinical practice guidelines, which is an invaluable resource of the latest medical information.
Key features
- Drug interaction checker (up to 30 medications, brand, generic, over-the-counter, or alternative)
- Pill identifier by shape, colour, and imprint code
The app also offers disease monographs and clinical calculators, as well as a medical dictionary.
Who it is best for
- GPs needing fast, reliable drug and treatment references
- Junior doctors learning clinical protocols
Download Epocrates from the App Store or Google Play.
3. Doximity: Best Professional Networking App
Doximity is an app that offers clinicians and their patients secure professional networking and a real-time communication tool.
Key features
- Make a video call to your patient without revealing your real number.
- Use your smartphone to call patients with your office number.
- Search clinician directory
- Fax without a fax machine
Another great feature is the HIPAA compliance of their messaging, meaning you can communicate with colleagues and patients in a protected environment. For clinic owners, Doximity is an essential resource for hiring talent and growing their network within the medical space.
Who it is best for
- Clinic owners recruiting staff
- GPs seeking professional collaboration
It is available on the App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft Windows.
Discover more about the essential features of Medesk and claim your free access today!
Explore now >>4. Figure 1: Best Medical Imaging App
Figure 1 is an application intended for healthcare providers and med students. It connects you to medical image sharing and consulting.
With the vast library of medical images the app provides, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, it becomes an essential reference tool for diagnosis and medical education. Students in a Radiologic Technology program already benefit from using these tools to sharpen their interpretation skills and supplement their clinical training.
Key features
- Library of X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds
- Peer-to-peer collaboration on complex cases
- HIPAA-compliant de-identified image sharing
- Case-based learning for medical students
You can upload de-identified patient images and get advice or second opinions from specialists worldwide, which is especially helpful for complex cases that need quick input from a radiologist or other expert.
To start using the platform, you need to provide copies of your professional licence or a student ID.
Who it is best for
- GPs seeking second opinions
- Medical students studying imaging
Figure 1 is available at the App Store and Google Play.
5. UpToDate and PEPID: Best Clinical Decision Support
When it comes to comprehensive clinical decision support, UpToDate and PEPID are two of the most trusted platforms. They provide GPs with a huge database of evidence-based recommendations and help healthcare professionals find answers to clinical questions at the point of care.
Both tools are invaluable for busy practitioners. UpToDate is renowned for its expert-reviewed content covering thousands of medical topics, helping with everything from general guidance to complex diagnoses.
PEPID is an all-in-one app designed specifically for busy healthcare providers. It features full disease profiles, drug interactions, clinical calculators, and a differential diagnosis generator. Its differential diagnosis tool is highly useful for challenging cases, and its drug database is particularly rich for dosing, side effects, interactions, and contraindications.
Key functionality
- Expert-reviewed content and clinical practice guidelines
- Disease profiles, differential diagnosis tools, and drug information
- Clinical calculators and patient education materials
- Integrated options to earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits
A major selling point for both platforms is the ability to earn CME credits. Apps that offer CME integration allow doctors to easily fulfill their professional development requirements simply by researching clinical questions during their daily practice. UpToDate works well for GPs because it has a great search and gets to quick enquiries with a good answer fast, while PEPID offers multimedia resources and a robust point-of-care reference.
Who it is best for
- GPs making primary care decisions
- Specialists staying updated with clinical guidelines
- Healthcare providers needing integrated CME options
UpToDate is available for download on the App Store and Play Store. PEPID is available on the App Store and Google Play.
6. ClinCalc and MDCalc: Best Medical Calculators
Clinical calculators are indispensable for GPs. Two of the best options available are ClinCalc and MDCalc. Both provide quick access to the formulas and scores you need for informed decision-making without having to consult reference books.
Key features
- ClinCalc: Features 50+ calculators (BMI, CHADS, Child-Pugh, APGAR, etc.), keyword search, and specialty-based formulas. It is a free app, but unlocking all calculations requires a modest in-app purchase of around 6 US dollars.
- MDCalc: Widely considered the industry standard for evidence-based clinical calculators. It offers hundreds of formulas, from creatinine clearance to CHA2DS2-VASc scores. It is completely free and incredibly user-friendly.
Who it is best for
- Doctors needing quick clinical calculations
- Residents and medical students
You can download ClinCalc for iPad and iPhone and Android. MDCalc is available on iOS and Android.
7. Medscape: Best Free Medical Resource and News
Medscape is one of the most widely used free medical apps in the world, serving as an industry standard for physicians, nurses, and medical students. It is an all-in-one resource that provides fast answers at the point of care.
Key features
- Comprehensive drug reference, formulary, and interaction checker
- Free Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits
- Medical news and expert perspectives
- Disease and condition overviews with step-by-step clinical guidelines
Medscape is highly valued because it delivers a massive amount of clinical information completely free. The app also offers integrated CME credits, allowing practitioners to earn credits by reading articles and completing short quizzes directly on their mobile devices.
Who it is best for
- GPs looking for a reliable free clinical reference
- Healthcare professionals wanting to earn CME on the go
Available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
BNF and BMJ Best Practice: Essential UK Formulary Apps
For general practitioners working within the UK, having region-specific tools is crucial. The BNF app (British National Formulary) and BMJ Best Practice are considered essential downloads.
The BNF app provides portable, up-to-date guidance on prescribing, drug interactions, and cautions specific to the UK. BMJ Best Practice gives you access to comprehensive, evidence-based clinical decision support. It offers step-by-step summaries for diagnosis and management. Both are available for free on iOS and Android, with BMJ Best Practice accessible using your NHS email or OpenAthens account.
The NHS App: Primary Care Patient Services
The NHS App is fundamentally changing how patients interact with primary care. For GPs, it is a vital tool that helps streamline administrative workloads.
Patients use the app to book appointments, view their GP health records, and order repeat prescriptions directly. By encouraging patients to use the NHS App for these routine requests, general practitioners can significantly reduce phone traffic and administrative bottlenecks. It is available for free on iOS and Android to anyone registered with an NHS GP surgery.
Comparing Our Top Medical App Picks
Each medical app for doctors can streamline your workflow differently, depending on your top pain points and priorities. Check out our table and choose an app that will help you maintain your mental health and the health of your patients.
| App | Best For | Key Feature | OS | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medesk Meet | Telehealth and GP consultations | Secure video consultations | iOS, Android | Free |
| Epocrates | Drug references | Drug interaction checker | iOS, Android | Free / Paid |
| Doximity | Networking and communication | HIPAA-compliant calls | iOS, Android, Web | Free |
| Figure 1 | Imaging collaboration | Global case sharing | iOS, Android | Free |
| UpToDate & PEPID | Evidence-based support | CME credits, guidelines | iOS, Android | Paid |
| ClinCalc | Medical calculations | Specialty calculators | iOS, Android | Free / Paid |
| MDCalc | Medical calculations | Evidence-based formulas | iOS, Android, Web | Free |
| Medscape | News and free reference | Free CME, drug reference | iOS, Android | Free |
| BNF app | UK formulary and prescribing | Drug interactions | iOS, Android | Free |
| BMJ Best Practice | Evidence-based support | Step-by-step summaries | iOS, Android | Free (NHS) |
| NHS App | Patient services and prescriptions | Record and prescription access | iOS, Android | Free |
FAQs About Medical Apps for Doctors
- Which medical app is best for telehealth consultations?
Medesk Meet offers secure, GDPR-compliant video consultations and integrates directly with practice management tools for seamless scheduling and billing.
- Are these medical apps free to use?
Many apps, such as Medesk, Figure 1, Epocrates, Medscape, MDCalc, and ClinCalc, offer free versions with optional paid upgrades. Others, like UpToDate and PEPID, typically require a subscription for full access.
- Are these medical apps HIPAA-compliant?
Most professional apps like Medesk Meet, Doximity, and Figure 1 ensure HIPAA or GDPR compliance for data privacy. Always check the specific security certifications before sharing patient data.
- Can junior doctors and students use these apps?
Yes. Figure 1 and ClinCalc are particularly student-friendly, while UpToDate provides educational credits. The BNF app and MDCalc are also heavily utilized by junior doctors.
- Do these apps work on both iOS and Android?
Yes. All listed apps are available for download on both the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Some, like Doximity and MDCalc, also offer a desktop or web version.
- Is the BNF app free for UK doctors?
Yes. The BNF app is completely free to download and use for all healthcare professionals in the UK, providing essential prescribing information offline.
- Do doctors actually use Doximity?
Yes, doctors absolutely use Doximity. In fact, a vast majority of US physicians are active members, making it the largest medical networking platform in the country. While it is US-centric, it remains a highly popular tool for UK GPs and healthcare providers globally who collaborate with international colleagues.
