Presentation Date

5-19-2015

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Description

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this poster is to compare four journal reading apps currently available for tablets and smartphones. The four apps are BrowZine, Docphin, DocNews, and Read by QxMD. These apps allow users to read journal articles on their mobile device and have features to help keep users current on publications in a particular journal or specialty area. METHODS: The four apps were compared on the following points: ease of use, cost, number and scope of journals available for reading in the app, platforms and devices supported, and sharing features. Any bonus features unique to a particular app were also evaluated. Information was gathered using each apps website and help documentation, as well as by directly contacting each company for supplemental information. In addition, journal articles and blog posts about the apps were reviewed. RESULTS: All four apps are free to download and offer the same basic features. Each app can be connected to a library's journal subscriptions so that users can access full text articles, either through the proxy server (Docphin, DocNews, Read) or through an institutional subscription to the app (BrowZine, Docphin for Libraries). BrowZine differs from the other three apps in that it has a broader focus and can include non-health sciences journals. Docphin, DocNews, and Read are focused on health care practitioners, especially physicians, and primarily provide access to titles within the health sciences. All four apps allow users to select journals or specialties they want to follow and will alert the user when new articles are published. Each app also offers the user options to share articles, either by email, social media, or by creating a shared collection with the app. Additional features available in some but not all of the apps include PDF annotation, CME credits, and the ability to export articles to citation managers or programs like Evernote and DropBox. CONCLUSIONS: Each of the four apps is easy to setup and use and can serve as an excellent tool for students and health care practitioners with mobile devices. Furthermore, the apps offer users an additional route to access journals, which can increase the use of a library's journal subscriptions.'

Document Type

Presentation

Language

English

Comments

This poster was presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Medical Library Association on May 19, 2015 in Austin, TX.

A Comparison of Four Journal Reading Apps

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