Parkinson's Toolkit app review: arming you with what you need

Introduction

The National Parkinson's Foundation is providing professional clinicians with the tools and information they need to properly treat patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease. The Parkinson's Toolkit app is a portable way to have information at hand whenever you need it while dealing with your patients. Because it is has been created by the National Parkinson Foundation you know the information is reliable and can be trusted.

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From a Professional Standpoint

Parkinson's disease is one that is very complex and there is plenty of data available, meant for professionals. The idea is that this app provides them with a clinical practice guide for treating their patients with Parkinson's. You will find such helpful information as planning, the symptoms associated with it, reaching a diagnosis, forming a treatment, and even billing information. Think of this as a complete package, which is exactly why the title of "toolkit" is appropriate.

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Because I am not in the medical field myself it’s hard to comment on the quality or quantity of the content but we can certainly take a look at the user interface and how the app performs. When you launch the app you will find everything you need on the bottom navigation bar, from here you can move through the app quickly and seamlessly.

Professional Level Tools

As mentioned this is a professional app made specifically for clinicians to use. Your options along the bottom are simple: planning, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. While there aren’t a lot bells and whistles in this app, what you are given is helpful and well-laid-out.

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The user interface is rather basic but please be willing to look past that in order to focus on the content instead. Granted, it would be nice to see a more modern and sleek approach to the app. Those who have used the app in a professional capacity comment on the fact that it is excellent if you are at a basic level of comprehension and familiarity with Parkinson's. Even if you have been a physician for a while but just haven't had a lot of experience with Parkinson's, this app can come in handy.

At the same time I have come across some complaints from users such as the fact it doesn't allow you to connect/link to the NPF discussion forums and that it is too basic for some doctors.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Very easy to use with quick and simple navigation
• A professional app designed for clinicians treating patients with Parkinson’s
• Offers a large amount of information regarding the disease
• Offers tools you can use with your patients

 

Cons

• There is no link to the NPF discussion forum
• The information may be too simple and basic for some physicians
• The user interface feels dated and dull

Final Words

The Parkinson’s Toolkit app is meant to provide professionals with the tools they need to properly diagnose and treat patients who have Parkinson’s. Whether this is an introduction to the disease as you deal with your first patients diagnosed with it, or you use it as a tool that helps you brush up on your knowledge, it can come in handy.