WebMD Mobile is useful — as long as you’re online

Let’s get one item out of the way: Not one of the medical WebMD Mobile is an excellent reference tool filled with useful information, including details on drug interactions and first aid tips that could be handy in a pinch. The first aid tool, for example, offers a list of emergency situations and, more critically, information on what to do.

Other benefits: You can navigate through a “symptoms” tab to find an interactive questionnaire to possibly diagnose an illness in your family. Or, using the “treatment” tab, you can search for a drug by name or identify a pill by appearance. Once you find the drug you want, WebMD Mobile details specific precautions and interactions to avoid.

Sadly, WebMD Mobile has a couple problems. You can’t search for information within the app itself. Instead, the app launches WebMD’s Web site to find the information. This could be a problem if you’re on a camping trip in the middle of a forest with no network access.

The second problem is related: You can only launch the app if you’re connected to a network. If you’re offline, you’re out of luck.

WebMD Mobile is the iPhone/iPod Touch companion to the WebMD Web site. WebMD provides medical reference material, health news and community programs to consumers and medical professionals.

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