Necessity of a PDA during residency

[Dermpather]

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Hey, everyone. I've been holding off on getting a PDA throughout med school, even though all of my classmates (and residents) swear by it. Do any path residents out there use PDAs a lot, specifically for work? Most of the time, I notice med students and residents using it to look up treatment/management options or medication dosages on ePocrates, information not necessarily vital in path. I'm not much of a gadget person, and was just wondering how helpful (or unhelpful) a PDA would be during path residency. Thanks. 🙂

DP

 

[SLUsagar]

Hey, everyone. I've been holding off on getting a PDA throughout med school, even though all of my classmates (and residents) swear by it. Do any path residents out there use PDAs a lot, specifically for work? Most of the time, I notice med students and residents using it to look up treatment/management options or medication dosages on ePocrates, information not necessarily vital in path. I'm not much of a gadget person, and was just wondering how helpful (or unhelpful) a PDA would be during path residency. Thanks. 🙂

DP

hey. Yah I got a decent one in med school, mind you this is before I saw the light and chose path. Now the thing is sitting in a box in the corner of my closet. So no, unlikely you'll use it for path. This reminds me though that I should dig it out and using to log people's addresses, directions, schedules, etc....

 

[b&ierstiefel]

hey. Yah I got a decent one in med school, mind you this is before I saw the light and chose path. Now the thing is sitting in a box in the corner of my closet. So no, unlikely you'll use it for path. This reminds me though that I should dig it out and using to log people's addresses, directions, schedules, etc....

Same here...don't know why I wasted $400 on a PDA (before my clinical rotations). Then during clinicals, my med school gave us one. Didn't use either during my clinicals and don't use them now.

Cellphone technology has improved dramatically which allows for cataloging addresses, phone numbers, dates/events, and deadlines.

Unless you really want a PDA, I think it's best to use your money by getting something else. I don't see a need for one, especially in pathology.

 

[yaah]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=130168
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=279001
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=340196
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=121820

I guess consensus is that some people find a use for it, but most don't. Probably depends on you. To some people, being without some sort of PDA is akin to being naked.

 

[mlw03]

clinicians utilize PDAs because there's lots of software written for them for various specialties. clinicians are also much more mobilie than pathologists, who can instead of a PDA utilize the 900 page textbook sitting on the shelf in their office. it'd be tough for a peds resident to carry Nelson, but there's lots of software that'll go through diagnostic and treatment algorithms for the common stuff they deal with. path just doesn't work like that. i like my PDA because i can sync it with outlook, and i also like the wireless internet, but i wouldn't buy one just for my upcoming path residency. and like biersteifel said, a lot of cell phones will now sync up with outlook, providing a good calendar function there.

i'd also mention that in all my time hanging around the USF path residents i've never seen any of them use a PDA for work.

 

[DarksideAllstar]

Hey, everyone. I've been holding off on getting a PDA throughout med school, even though all of my classmates (and residents) swear by it. Do any path residents out there use PDAs a lot, specifically for work? Most of the time, I notice med students and residents using it to look up treatment/management options or medication dosages on ePocrates, information not necessarily vital in path. I'm not much of a gadget person, and was just wondering how helpful (or unhelpful) a PDA would be during path residency. Thanks. 🙂

DP

If you really want a PDA, I've got a Sony Clie I bought in 2005 that has 256MB Memory Pro RAM Card, includes all manuals, cables, cd-roms, original packaging, and extra software. Has Wi-Fi connectivity and a decent 2 megapixel camera. Not a scratch on the screen. All for $50.

 

[gungho]

i have a pda i use a ton for non-medical stuff and use it a fair amount when i see pts. moonlighting and a lot when i was in practice but in almost 4 yr. of path residency i have not used it at all for pathology-related tasks (except call scheduling). not to say someone out there might not have a pathology-related use for one...

 

[schrute]

I've had one all through med school and all I've used it for is bugs & drugs, a few clinical things, and solitaire. You're better off putting the $ towards a nice text that won't be obsolete in 2 yrs.

 

[Dermpather]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Like I mentioned before, I'm not a big gadget person, and since it doesn't seem like PDAs are a big necessity in path residency, I'm going to hold of on getting a PDA for now.

This may sound a little crazy, but what about a personal microscope for home during residency?? I know scopes can cost a crazy amount of money, but I've seen some selling for decent prices. Just wondering if it may help when preview time gets a little tight in the hospital late at night for morning sign-out or something. 😱

 

[mlw03]

i don't know any residents that buy their own scopes for home use. plus, i don't know if you're allowed to take slides home - HIPPA issues i would think.

 

[mcfaddens]

i don't know any residents that buy their own scopes for home use. plus, i don't know if you're allowed to take slides home - HIPPA issues i would think.

Im not sure what the deal is with taking slides home but I wouldnt do it. If your having trouble with a couple of tough cases you can either stay late or take a picture of it and e-mail it to yourself to look at it again at home

 

[yaah]

Yes - you are not allowed to take slides home. Unless maybe they were for a research project. But no patient info. Thus, no previewing.

You don't need a personal scope unless the program has issues.

 

[Dermpather]

Thanks again for all of the replies to my new query concerning a personal scope. It's good to know that I'll be saving money this year from not buying a PDA or personal scope! 🙂 Thanks again.

 

[Matte Kudesai]

Thanks again for all of the replies to my new query concerning a personal scope. It's good to know that I'll be saving money this year from not buying a PDA or personal scope! 🙂 Thanks again.

I used ISILO to convert pathologyoutlines into a portable document. Also made flash cards using handymed.

AJCC book is also available from skyscape.

 

[docbiohazard]

Matte, thanks for both sets of info. I'm glad to see I can make my PDA useful to me in Pathology, and I'll have to look into that CTTR. Seems FAQ worthy. 🙂

I've got a brother who is a sales rep for microscopes and related histology supplies and so forth. If anyone is interested in a home scope, drop me a PM and I'll get you his contact info.

BH