For medical students
An EM rotation moves faster than you can look things up. Search on Shift is a web browser custom-built for Emergency Medicine: one search across the references you are already trying to check, plus your own notes and textbook.
On an EM rotation or sub-internship
You are new to the department, you have a question, and you have about ninety seconds. One search covers WikEM, EM:RAP, MDCalc, UpToDate, DynaMed, LITFL, Orthobullets, EyeWiki and more at the same time, so you are not opening six tabs on a workstation you had to log into.
- Works offline for your notes, images and textbook search, which matters in a basement ED.
- Procedure videos, useful before a first attempt at something.
- Your own notes, imported from Anki or any CSV.
- Your own copy of Tintinalli's, uploaded once and fully searchable.
On an away rotation
Away rotations are the highest-stakes version of the same problem: a department you have never worked in, people forming an impression of you quickly, and no idea where the local reference is. Everything is in one place and comes with you.
It carries through to residency
The app includes 1600+ flashcards mapped to ABEM board exam and ITE preparation categories, and it recommends podcasts and textbook chapters based on what you actually searched. The notes you start building as a student are the notes you carry into intern year.
How to get it free
- Ask whoever runs your Emergency Medicine Interest Group to claim the group's free year.
- If your EMIG has not set it up yet, send them the EMIG page; it takes them under a minute.
- Or message instagram.com/searchonshift and ask.
Questions medical students ask
Is Search on Shift useful on an away rotation?
Yes. Away rotations are exactly the case it was built for: you are in an unfamiliar department, moving fast, and trying to check something between patients. One search covers WikEM, EM:RAP, MDCalc, UpToDate, DynaMed, LITFL, Orthobullets, EyeWiki and more at the same time.
Do I need to be committed to Emergency Medicine to use it?
No. It is built for anyone interested in Emergency Medicine, including students still deciding on a specialty and students heading into an EM rotation or sub-internship.
Can my interest group get it for free?
Yes. There is currently a limited time offer in 2026 for one free year for your whole Emergency Medicine Interest Group. Reach out to us by email at [email protected] or on Instagram at instagram.com/searchonshift for your group's 100% off promo code. No payment needed.
Does it help with the ITE and board exams later?
Yes. The app includes 1600+ flashcards mapped to ABEM board exam and ITE preparation categories, so the same app you use as a student carries through residency.
Does it work offline in the emergency department?
Yes, the notes, images, and textbook search work offline in the emergency department and are often sufficient alone to answer your question. To access websites you will need internet access.
Can I bring my own notes and textbook?
Yes. Import your notes from Anki or any CSV, and upload your own copy of Tintinalli's so its full text is searchable alongside everything else.
What happens to my notes after I graduate?
You can continue using the app or simply export your notes for saving. There are automatic backups that occur while using the app, and you can also manually export these to a spreadsheet. The app was thoughtfully created in this manner so that your data goes with you.
Questions? Email us at [email protected]