PDAs in the healthcare industry

I've learned throughout this semester how much a pda could have an impact on my field, but I haven't really talked about other professions in the health care industry. I recently spoke with a friend of mine in the health information technology field. She shared with me some facts that she's learned. Somewhere around seventy percent of medical interns are using pdas now. The reason for the increase is that information can be loaded up and used in seconds. Also, pdas are used for both input and output whereas desktop computers are usually used specifically for input. Also, mobility is battery power are better for pdas. It's not hard to see pda usage is growing in more fields than just pharmacy. Neat-o!

Websites for Hardware

Here are some product websites that might be useful to browse when looking for the right pda for you:

http://www.blackberry.com/

http://www.palm.com/

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/pocketpc

Since their products will actually support pharmacy software, I would chose from one of the three companies above. Also, by comparing on your own you can make a call on the best product for you. Happy browsing:)

iPhone

If you don't live under a rock, you've probably heard about the iPhone or at least one of the other products offered by Apple called the iPod. The commercials Apple uses to advertise the Mac over the PC are pretty funny. From the advertising and hype, I figured the iPhone must look cool but can it function as well as the smart phones or blackberries? And now that the cost issues seem to be worked out over the past summer, I have started to seriously consider this product a legitimate option. Unfortunately, as of now the iPhone doesn't support any medical software. It does offer WiFi to access the online products, but none of the pda pharmacy software I've seen is compatible with the iPhone. I don't think all hope is lost yet, though. If the price can drop and customers get refunds, I believe the iPhone will look to satisfy its customers and include medical pda software in the future:)

Diagnosaurus

This handy pda product is great for physicians and pathologists alike. I do think pharmacists could make very good use out of this tool too. Checking drug appropriateness or making recommendations to doctors while on rounds are two tasks we as students on rotations will learn to do. Diagnosaurus includes over 1000 diagnoses that you can search by disease, symptom, or organ system. You can even find related diagnoses connected to the one you searched. Also, if you're in the middle of searching multiple diagnoses, you can bookmark ones that you want to keep accessed.

My answer for Polly Papesh's pda question

If I were Polly I would buy a different pda:( Unfortunately, with all the expenses of adding memory and the disadvantage of not having wireless capability, the cost of a new pda would probablly be a steal of a deal. Plus, she could sell her old pda on this website: http://www.gethightech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SUYP . Good Luck Polly!

Where in the world.... would I rather be right now?

At this point, I have completed 2 finals and half of my blogs. I'm starting to think about taking a vacation. I think I'd like to go to Hawaii or Jamaica or Miami or Australia or the Bahamas. If I would go to one of these places, would I be able to use my pda? I know I would have to charge it up, but do those countries have convenient coffee shops.... like a starbucks, with wi-fi? If I were ever to be lucky enough to get a rotation in one of those wonderful locations, would I be able to use my pda? I think these are some questions to ask yourself before choosing rotation sites.

Thomson's Clinical Xpert

Of course since I go to the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy J, I have also had access to Thomson’s Micromdex. The feature of Micromedex that stands out for me is Toxicology, I remember searching for overdose information on more than one drug. Well, luckily Thomson didn’t leave that feature out when creating the PDA version Clinical Xpert. Also part of the attractive features are: Alt Med, Calculators, Disease, and Lab Advisor. Alt Med, as you probably guessed is information on herbals and dietary supplements, including drug interactions and pregnancy category. Lab Advisor has info on over 500 laboratory tests like monitoring and determining appropriate tests. Clinical Xpert even has alerts like FDA announcements and disease information. Since I hope to practice in community pharmacy, I think Clinical Xpert would be my choice for handheld information. Even before I get out into the “real world” I can download Clinical Xpert for free, because it free to the college. HooRahh!