If you’re a medical student, you know there are a lot of software out there that can make your life easier. But with so many options, it can be tricky to figure out exactly what you need. I totally get it!
In this post, I’ll go over the key types of software that are super helpful for medical school.
My goal is to break it down into simple, practical advice so you can make the best choices for your situation. Sounds good? Let’s start!
Must-Have Medical Software for Medical Students
When compiling this list, I focused on including programs medical students use regularly for core tasks like studying, note taking, research, etc. I’ll also briefly describe what each software does so you can decide if you need it.
1. Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
Epic
Epic is the most widely used EHR across large hospital systems and universities. We’re talking about the top academic medical centers like Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic. If you do any clinical rotations at an Epic site, you’ll get first-hand experience with their system.
Practice Fusion
Practice Fusion offers a free web-based EHR aimed mainly at smaller independent practices. The functionality is more basic, but could still be helpful for outpatient electives or preceptorships.
The simple interface makes it easy for new learners, plus it’s free! If you find yourself in a small clinic, there’s a good chance they use Practice Fusion.
2. Anatomy Software
Anatomy software is essential for learning where parts of the body are located. There are a few good options out there, but these are the two most common:
Complete Anatomy
Complete Anatomy is definitely the fanciest and most high-tech anatomy program. It has really detailed 3D models that you can spin around and take different layers off. This lets you get a really clear picture of where everything fits together.
AnatomyTV
AnatomyTV has similar 3D models to Complete Anatomy but the graphics are more basic. The major advantage is that it works on just about any computer, including Chromebooks.
3. Drug Reference Checker
You’ll constantly need to look up drug dosing, interactions, side effects, and more. This app makes it simple: drug reference checkers can also be accessed on other mobile devices.
Epocrates
Epocrates is like having a drug reference guide in your pocket at all times. It provides info on thousands of drugs and lets you check for potentially dangerous interactions.
4. Medical Imaging Software
OsiriX
OsiriX is an advanced imaging software used to view and process DICOM images from modalities like MRI, CT, and PET. If you plan to go into radiology, this is a must.
RadiAnt DICOM Viewer
RadiAnt offers basic medical image viewing along with annotations and basic processing. It’s an easy introduction to analyzing scans.
5. Telemedicine Platforms
Chances are you’ll need web conferencing tools to participate in a telehealth session at some point during your training or patient care whether for meetings or remote visits.
Zoom
Yes, good old Zoom! The basic free plan allows 1-on-1 video visits, while paid plans enable easy patient scheduling and EHR integration.
Doxy.me
Doxy.me is HIPAA-compliant free telemedicine software that works right in your browser. It offers video/audio calls, screen sharing, and text chat built specifically for telehealth.
6. Study and Note-taking Software
Between lectures and labs, you’ll have a lot of information to digest.
Software tools like Microsoft Office and Notion allow you to create searchable notes, set reminders, and build quiz questions.
OneNote
OneNote makes organizing study materials and notes easy. You can easily import PowerPoints, PDFs, and images to collect related content in one notebook.
You can also tag materials by keywords or topics to instantly search for everything later when prepping for exams.
Notion
Notion is more focused on building searchable notes, and multi-level databases. This lets you organize info exactly how your brain works.
The ability to link between pages, embed media, and add comments makes Notion ideal for knowledge retention. It may feel less structured at first than traditional note-taking, but it is way more intuitive!
Evernote
Last but not least, Evernote is great for easy capturing and finding everything later. You can easily clip web pages, sections of articles, PDF documents, and images into your notebooks.
Then add tags, colors, and reminders to quickly sort materials by priority level or topics covered. The search makes it very easy to pull up that diagram or table you know you clipped a few months back but have no idea where it’s hiding.
7. Flashcard Apps
Flashcard apps are important for memorizing all those anatomical structures, diseases, medications, and more.
Anki
Anki uses spaced repetition, meaning it shows you flashcards right when you’re about to forget them based on your past answers. This makes it really efficient for developing long-term memory.
Quizlet
Quizlet is the simpler, free option. You can create online flashcards and access them via web or mobile. Quizlet also has study games to quiz yourself. It’s not as sophisticated as Anki but gets the job done.
You just need any computer or mobile device with internet access to use Quizlet.
What System Requirements Do You Need to Run These Medical Software?
Now that you know the must-have medical software, let’s discuss the actual system requirements you need to properly run everything.
CPU: Intel Core i5 or equivalent
RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB ideally
Storage: 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
Graphics: Dedicated GPU with 2+ GB VRAM (NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon)
Display: 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution or higher
OS: Windows 10 64-bit or higher
If you mainly use flashcards, note-taking, and research programs, you may be able to get by with lower specs like:
CPU: Intel Core i3 or equivalent
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB SSD
Graphics: Integrated graphics
Display: 1366 x 768 resolution or higher
OS: Windows 10 64-bit or higher
Conclusion
I know it can be overwhelming trying to set yourself up with the right tech tools for med school. But having this software will make your life so much easier and help you thrive in your courses.
The key point I want you to take away is that you don’t need to go over the top with hardware or break the bank on every piece of software. Choose what makes sense for your needs and budget.
The right medical software and hardware setup can improve your workflow for the better. However, things like personal organization systems and study techniques still matter a lot. Focus first on developing strong learning habits. Then let the technology give you an extra edge.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by any of the system requirements, don’t sweat it too much. Many of these programs offer free or discounted rates for students, so you don’t need the highest-end tech. Just do the best with what you’ve got!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the essential software tools for medical students?
You’ll need EHR systems like Epic or Cerner, anatomy tools like Complete Anatomy, and note-taking apps like OneNote.
- How do EHR systems benefit medical students?
EHR systems like Epic and Cerner make it easier to manage patient data which helps you learn best practices in patient care.
- What system requirements are needed for medical imaging software?
For OsiriX or RadiAnt, you’ll need Windows 10/11, an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
- How does medical simulation software enhance clinical training?
Simulation software provides a safe environment to practice procedures, and realistic clinical scenarios without risking patient safety.
- What is the best medical software for anatomy learning?
Complete Anatomy and Visible Body are excellent choices due to their detailed 3D models and interactive features.
- Do I need a dedicated GPU for medical imaging software?
Yes, a dedicated GPU with at least 2 GB is necessary for handling high-resolution images and complex data processing.
- Can I use a Chromebook for medical software?
No, most medical software requires Windows or MacOS, which Chromebooks don’t support. You’ll need a laptop that can run these operating systems.
- How much RAM do I need for medical software?
At least 8 GB of RAM is recommended for smooth performance, but 16 GB is better for more demanding applications.
- What are the minimum system requirements for EHR software?
You’ll need Windows 10/11, an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a 256 GB SSD, and a stable internet connection.
Hey! I’m Faizan Ahmed, a tech enthusiast and content creator at Nova Nervce. I deliver credible, verified insights on laptops, note-taking apps, and emerging tech. Here, you’ll find easy-to-understand articles based on my personal experiences and research to simplify your tech journey.