December 2009 — Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

But Epocrates is feeling delightful!

As we sip our hot cocoa, we reflect on our busy year – creating premium content for iPhone^® OS and BlackBerry^®, making over-the-counter safety information available, celebrating our 10 year anniversary, and, as always, keeping our clinical content continually updated.

We're excited to bring you even more innovations in 2010!

In this issue:

Mobile Resource Centers

Mobile Resource Centers are FREE handheld references that can help you stay current and save time. Each resource center is focused on a particular disease and covers clinical news, scientific abstracts, conference highlights and thought leader commentary. Clinical articles are hand-picked and updated frequently with breaking news on priority health topics. Articles are ranked to designate their clinical significance and commentary is added by physicians and researchers from nationally recognized institutions. Mobile Resource Centers are available on Palm, Windows Mobile and iPhone devices.

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The Power of Stories over Statistics

Anne Meneghetti, MD
Director, Clinical Communications at Epocrates

What makes anecdotes so compelling?  For many of us, our ability to find meaning in statistical data pales in comparison to our readiness to be captivated by a vivid story, especially a tale passionately conveyed by someone with a connection, however remote, to the people involved. When I was 35, my personal physician endeavored to convince me to get a screening mammogram by recounting a tragic story of her twenty-something-year-old patient who died of breast cancer the previous year. I countered with, "I know a patient who began screening at 35…" and described the emotional roller coaster she had been on ever since, undergoing nearly annual biopsies to chase down one mammographic finding after another.

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently recommended against routine mammography screening of women in their 40s, based on a new evidence review.  Clinicians are encouraged to support informed decision-making based on each woman’s family history, general health, and personal values. A 2008 USPSTF statement highlighted the lack of evidence to assess risks vs. benefits of routine prostate cancer screening. To what degree will the bias of anecdotes influence individual perception, judgment, and decisions about such screenings?

In an Epocrates DocAlert^® message this month, one pediatrician recounts his struggles to harness the power of stories within his own practice and while shaping policy through guideline committees.

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FDA MedWatch Safety Alerts

FDA Commissioner’s Letter to Clinicians on Safety of H1N1 Influenza Vaccine

Drug Interaction With Omeprazole Reduces Effectiveness of Clopidogrel

Epocrates continues to work with the CDC to keep you current on the latest “swine flu” news. Visit our 2009 H1N1 Influenza A site for updates.

Upcoming Meeting – Meet the Epocrates Team!
American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) – December 7-9 – Las Vegas, NV

Updates at a Glance

New Disease and Condition Topics Available* Cerumen impaction Evaluation of Eosinophilia Evaluation of Vesicular-Bullous rash Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis Laryngomalacia Evaluation of ptosis Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis Wrinkles Down syndrome Epidural abscess Salicylate poisoning Familial mediterranean fever Pseudohypoparathyroidism Toxic shock syndrome *This disease information can be found in Epocrates Online, Epocrates Online Premium, Epocrates Essentials for the iPhone or Epocrates Essentials for the Blackberry.	New Drugs Arzerra (ofatumumab) fexofenadine/ pseudoephedrine (first-time generic for Allegra-D) fludarabine(generic) Intuniv(guanfacine) Lusedra (fospropofol) Metozolv (metoclopramide) perindopril(first-time generic for Aceon) Twynsta(telmisartan/ amlodipine)	New Formularies KidZPartners (PA)   How to Get these Updates Mobile: Update (sync) your device regularly to download free updates, including new drug monographs and MobileCME activities. If you don't have MobileCME, download it here. Add new formularies to your profile in My Account.   Online: Log in to Epocrates Online for continually updated drug information and disease content. Select new formularies in the DRUGS tab.

Q: Dr. C., a gastroenterologist, inquired, "In a recent mailing you mentioned that you revised your drug class structure. Can you explain how this structure works?"

A: The Epocrates drug class/subclass structure is a combination of both therapeutic and pharmacologic classes.  The motivations behind this design vary, but include speed of access and broad appeal to most users.  Limiting the search to only two levels (class and subclass) allows more rapid access to drug monographs and using both pharmacologic and therapeutic terms encompasses the most common thought processes employed when users access information by class.  For example, within the “Gastrointestinal” class, we have subclasses that are functional (e.g., constipation) and pharmacologic (e.g., H2 blockers) so that users can more quickly find the products they seek.

This month’s answer provided by:
Joshua L. Conrad, Pharm.D – Epocrates’ Managing Editor, Medical Information

Last month we asked you what you’re thankful for. Here is one reader’s response:

“Thank you for a fantastic suite of products. I have used your programs through medical school and residency. I used Epocrates in Afghanistan while serving with the Army National Guard. I use it all day in my private practice. I am spooling up to deploy again with the Army, to Iraq this time, and I am making sure to bring my Epocrates with me. Here is a picture of me treating an Afghan civilian while deployed."

Terry D. Hashey, DO, MHSE, FAAFP Battalion Flight Surgeon MAJ, MC, FLARNG   We're thankful for Dr. Hashey's service and support and wish him a safe return!

We always love to hear from our members about Epocrates products, or any other topics at youropinion@epocrates.com.

We occasionally select reader comments to feature in future newsletters. All customers featured in the newsletter will receive a free one-year subscription to the premium product of their choice.

Help chase away the winter chills with a new iPod touch or iPod shuffle in your coat pocket! To enter, watch this video and share an example of how Dr. Diamond uses Epocrates in his practice. Please include “Holiday Giveaway” in the subject line. Entries will be accepted until 12/31/09 and winners will be notified by 1/8/10.

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