Buku Medicine was created 3 years ago as Buku Haematology, written by a haematology registrar (Alex) and consultant (Steve) 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 travels every year pathology project MPathE is running.
We made it to answer the commonest questions that haematologists are asked, and through that, improve patient care, educate our users and hopefully remove some of the fear usually associated with haematology. It is for all grades of generalist and specialist doctors, specialist nurses, physician assistants and has links to key references and guidelines.
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.
Our model has had excellent feedback and continues to grow (over 39,000 downloads, installed on clinician devices in two NHS trusts and ORCHA approved). We have now started to apply this model to other specialties and we are continuing to add new content to the App.
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 member of the British Society for Haematology education committee and the former communications lead for the HaemSTAR network for non-malignant research.
Prof Steve O’Brien
Steve is an Honorary Consultant Haematologist at the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Haematology at Newcastle University.
After qualifying in Manchester in 1987 and following training and research jobs at the Hammersmith/Imperial College in London, Steve has been a consultant in Newcastle since 1999.
He is also the chair of NICE Technology Appraisal Committee C and co-chair of the North of England Cancer Drug Fund.
He is involved in management responsibilities for the App.
Dr Kerri Devine
Kerri is a Diabetes & Endocrinology registrar originating from Glasgow but now training 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.