Buku Medicine was created in 2017 as Buku Haematology, as an easy and quick reference for the initial investigation and management of common haematology problems. 'Buku' is the Chichewa word for book or reference. Chichewa is spoken in Malawi where Steve also works on the charity pathology project, MPathE.
Over time it has become hugely popular and trusted through word of mouth recommendations and is now used by over 46,000 users internationally. It is aimed at all grades of generalist and specialist doctors, specialist nurses, physician assistants.
Buku Medicine aims to avoid referrals to specialists that can be avoided, and to expedite care for those that are referred to improve workload for all clinicians in an increasingly busy workplace. We also hope to improve patient care and safety by reducing calls to the specialist on-call team as calls can distract from other tasks.
Buku Medicine is run by a team of dedicated volunteers committed to improving patient care and the workload of colleagues.
Our model has had excellent feedback and continues to grow (over 46,000 downloads, installed on clinician devices in two NHS trusts and ORCHA approved). We now have eight specialties in-App with more to come.
The Buku Medicine Team
Dr Alex Langridge
Alex is a Haematology Consultant in the North-East. He founded the App with Steve O’Brien and undertakes much of the daily running of the App. He writes content and also review content from other specialties. His interests within haematology are myeloma and bone marrow failure, and he has a passion for education and clinical informatics.
He is a former member of the British Society for Haematology Education Committee and the former communications lead for the HaemSTAR network for non-malignant research.
Dr Kerri Devine
Kerri is a Diabetes & Endocrinology consultant originally from Glasgow but now working in the North-East of England. She is interested in steroid physiology, improving the patient experience and making endocrinology more accessible.
She is involved in content review and management responsibilities for the App.
Dr Toby Cockill
Toby is a GP working in North Northumberland. He has a passion for education and improving the working pressures for GPs. He helps to run the app, and reviews content from a primary care perspective to ensure it is clinically relevant and practical for our primary care users.