A hot list of PDA Essentials

OB/GYN News, Dec 15, 2004 by Thomas G. McLeod, Jon O. Ebbert

For the past 2 years, Digital Assistance has presented useful PDA software, accessories, and Web sites. We've taken on the interesting--and at times daunting--challenge of reviewing the newest in hand-held technology for the field of medicine. Since this column began, we've often been asked by colleagues, "What type of PDA should I get?" or "What programs do I need?" The answer is always the same: "It depends." It depends on your specialty; on your anticipated uses (clinical and/or administrative, networked or standalone); even on personal preferences such as how a device feels in your hand. We recognize the varied needs and preferences of medical professionals who use this technology. It's impossible to deliver one blanket recommendation. Nevertheless, we've compiled a list of "must-have" products and resources likely to benefit most medical users. So, without further ado, here it is, just in time for your holiday "wish list" ... the Digital Assistance Essentials:

Software

Unless you plan to use your PDA for strictly administrative purposes, you'll need some software. The applications below are tremendous assets for PDA use in a clinical setting:

* Drug Reference: Epocrates Rx Pro. Hands down, the best! More than 3,000 drug and alternative medicine monographs, interactions, and formulary configurations included. For Palm and Pocket PC from www.epocrates.com.

* Medical Reference: 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Concise, well-organized collection of diagnostic and therapeutic information for more than 1,000 medical syndromes and disease entities. Skyscape's version "smARTlinks" to other installed references. Palm and Pocket PC versions available at www.skyscape.com.

* Medical Calculator: MedCale. More than 70 formulas spanning a multitude of specialties. Still the best, still free! Need we say more? Palm version only from www.med-ia.ch/medcalc.> * Patient Trackers: PatientKeeper. Organizing patient demographics and clinical details has never been easier! Available as a standalone app or as part of a multifaceted practice suite. Palm and Pocket PC versions are found at www.patientkeeper.com.

* Decision Support: STAT Cardiac Clearance and STAT Cholesterol. Two of the finest examples of decision support software for Palm devices. Elegant navigation through evidence-based algorithms (preoperative risk assessment and hyperlipidemia management). Available free from www.statcoder.com.

* Calendar Management: DateBk5. An administrative must-have for the busy professional. Hundreds of calendar enhancements (including additional views, icons, quick-entry templates, and split-screen capabilities) greatly improve the utility of the standard calendar application. Palm version only from www.pimlicosoftware.com.

Accessories

From keyboards to cameras, printers to radios, PDA accessories abound! Over the past year, we've reviewed many--some necessary (e.g., styli), some definitely "bells and whistles." As far as we're concerned, protection--device and data--is a key issue. Here are our picks for "the Essentials" (available from www.mobileplanet.com):

* PDA Cases. Most handheld manufacturers include a simple vinyl sleeve or flip-top in the box. If you've had the misfortune of dropping your device on a hard floor, you'll understand that you need something more.

* Screen Protectors. Touch-and-tap, graffiti strokes, character recognition, doodles: PDA screens can take a beating on a typical day at the office. Preserve the view and protect function with a peel-and-apply screen protector.

* Backup Cards. We make hundreds of entries into our handheld devices each year. But computers will crash, and data may evaporate. If you follow the logic, you'll pick up a backup card for your PDA's expansion slot.

Web Sites

Owner's manuals and after-market publications provide a wealth of information about the operating characteristics of available PDAs, but the most expansive source of information on handheld computer technology is the Internet. These are our nominations for "Essential" Web sites:

* News and Reviews: www.pdamd.com. A highly informative site with PDA news, reviews, tutorials, and buyers' guides for the medical professional. Palm and Pocket PC hardware and software are available for purchase (including discounted or package deals).

* Medical Software and eTexts: www.skyscape.com. If you're looking for an eText for your PDA, look no further than skyscape.com. Hundreds of titles are available for both Palm and Pocket PC devices. Content for many easily cross-links with other installed Skyscape applications.

* Software Megamall: www.palmgear.com and www.handango.com. Utilities, medical applications, games, and much more! Thousands of PDA apps await you at these clearinghouses. Palmgear.com is for Palm OS only. Handango.com is cross-platform.

* PDA Accessories: www.mobileplanet.com. This site offers a vast array of PDA accessories for both Palm and Pocket PC devices. Cases, cables, keyboards, and cards--they've got what you need!

* Societies/Journals: American College of Physicians (ACP) PDA Portal. The ACP PDA Portal (www.acponline.org/pda) was established in 2000. It provides a variety of PDA-formatted clinical and policy-related documents. Download the www.annals.org reader (Palm version only) to easily access and archive issues of the Annals of Internal Medicine on device.