HealthContentAdvisors

Epocrates Enhances Site with Disease-Related Information

• Posted August 7th 2008
• by Marji

Epocrates, which operates an online drug reference database, has expanded its offerings to include disease diagnosis and treatment information for physicians. Access to the new information is free.

Epocrates created Epocrates Online through a partnership with BMJ Group, the London-based publisher of the British Medical Journal. Epocrates Online features peer-reviewed content, which is prepared by physicians under the guidance of BMJ Group. The content is integrated with Epocrates’ drug database.

The new disease-specific information includes an overview of the condition and risk factors, treatment options, suggestions of tests to order and national medical society guidelines.

Epocrates is following a similar revenue model with the new content that is has with its previous offerings. Physicians can pay an annual fee for a subscription to a premium version of the product. The subscription also gives physicians access to additional clinical content and decision support.

While the drug reference database is certainly a valuable tool, adding this new disease information should serve to make Epocrates an even more valuable resource for physicians. Now, physicians have another reason to visit as Epocrates offers another tool that will aid these physicians in the treatment of their patients. If the goal of Epocrates is to become that “one-stop-shop” for physicians, it’s on the right track. Since the online healthcare information market is so competitive, companies need to do all they can to give visitors ample reasons to visit their sites. That seems to be exactly what Epocrates is doing here. It will be interesting to see what the company launches next, and when.