There is little argument about the fact that Americans are attached to their phones. From traffic navigation on your morning commute to ordering dinner on your way home, you can do almost anything from the palm of your hand. This applies to your workday as well. Here are 5 apps that will make any hospitalist's day a little easier.

• Epocrates: This is widely considered the king of all medical apps and is something hospitalists would turn to daily. Healthcare professionals across the board use this app to look up drug information and interactions, perform BMI calculations, look up medical news and research, and even search for other physicians for referrals or consults. While this app is free to download, certain features do require a yearly subscription at a fee.

• Doximity: Facebook or LinkedIn specifically for physicians? It's safe to say that every hospitalist should have this app! Improving communication is always a big issue within the healthcare industry, and Doximity makes it a breeze. You can connect with other hospitalists and physicians directly in the app and follow medical news in different specialties. You even have the ability to send HIPPA secure faxes within the platform. Doximity makes it easier than ever for hospitalists to collaborate and work together for the best care for their patients. 

• Figure 1: This app is referred to as the "Instagram for doctors" and is a must-have for hospitalists in today's medical landscape. Figure 1 guarantees patient privacy, but allows you to share medical images with other hospitalists and physicians for diagnostic and educational purposes. You can also search through a large variety of medical images. It is particularly useful when dealing with rare diseases.

• Read by QxMD: All hospitalists know the importance of staying up-to-date on medical literature. Read puts all of the top medical journals in an easy to use format right in your phone. The app uses a magazine format and allows you to read and download a wide variety of medical literature, ranging from PubMed articles to open access journals and medical research. Majority of the content offerings are free, with a small percentage requiring a subscription or credentials. 

• DynaMed: While it may be the most costly app on our list, DynaMed is one that hospitalists can use in all aspects of their day. This app was created by doctors for doctors and contains a wealth of information. It is constantly updated and includes information on over 3,000 topics. The app can be used as a reference tool when looking up specific conditions or by the hospitalist bedside for point of care information. Many medical professionals consider the yearly subscription fee to be more than worth it.

Technology is quickly revolutionizing the healthcare industry and mobile phone apps are just one small part of that. Apps have changed the way that hospitalists work on a daily basis by easing communications and simplifying diagnostic research. These tools help hospitalists arrive at a diagnosis more quickly and accurately than before, which in turn improves patient care and patient satisfaction.