Optometry PDA????

[ODdominant]

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Hi Everyone,

I am just midway through my first year of optometry school. As a gift for completing this upcoming semester, my parents are planning to buy me a PDA. Do you think it is wise to get one now or should I wait till I am an upper classman? Are there any PDAs that are better than others.... and also what software would be clinically applicable to our program?

 

[r_salis]

(*Wow* I'm mature... I read the post title and thought it meant "public displays of affection" in optometry school... 😉 )

Epocrates Rx is excellent free software that lists drug information and formularies: http://www2.epocrates.com/products/rx/

You might want to do a search in some of the other forums -- including the technology forum -- for recommendations for PDAs. I know the topic is often discussed.

 

[sco1styear]

Hi Everyone,

I am just midway through my first year of optometry school. As a gift for completing this upcoming semester, my parents are planning to buy me a PDA. Do you think it is wise to get one now or should I wait till I am an upper classman? Are there any PDAs that are better than others.... and also what software would be clinically applicable to our program?

At SCO we are required to get a PDA between our first and second year. Epocrates, which was mentioned above, is a fantastic program and the reason behind our purchase of a PDA. It contains drug information and is used in place of a desk reference book that weighs 100lbs!
But other than that, the PDA's get used a lot to play games on...so..
Also, if your school has a wireless network and computer department, discuss this with them. They should be able to tell you more and what requirements would best complement the schools systems.

 

[r_salis]

But other than that, the PDA's get used a lot to play games on...so..

http://www.onesir.com/sudoku/ 😀

 

[Eyegirl2k7]

I'm a 3rd year at ICO and I have a Zire 31 PDA. I paid about $85 for it from overstock.com. It's color and it runs epocrates and wills manual fine. Mostly I use it to keep track of patient followups. It's the kind that's mostly a glorified post it. I didn't see the need to have one of the expensive ones since I don't use internet, spreadsheets etc on the pda. I'd recommend it for anyone who's looking for a basic pda.

Eyegirl.

 

[still_confused]

so is it advisable by current students and ODs that we should get a PDA when we enter school? PDAs are quite expensive so are they worth it?
thanks

 

[sco1styear]

so is it advisable by current students and ODs that we should get a PDA when we enter school? PDAs are quite expensive so are they worth it?
thanks

I would say wait and see if you feel like you could use one for a planner or if you would prefer a paper planner (which I do) and then later on you can talk to some professors to see if they recommend having one for the clinic.

 

[ML1983]

If you guys get a PDA, i would recommend the Dell X51v. It's awesome! I have the x50v (similar version, just 51 has newer windows and a bit more RAM).

Check out www.aximsite.com for help.

 

[S_SEEN2020]

😕 Is a PDA required/recommended at PCO?

If you guys get a PDA, i would recommend the Dell X51v. It's awesome! I have the x50v (similar version, just 51 has newer windows and a bit more RAM).

Check out www.aximsite.com for help.

 

[ML1983]

😕 Is a PDA required/recommended at PCO?

I've got no idea! I'm starting this Fall 🙂

 

[rpames]

I feel having a PDA is very important to have as you start your optometric career. The entire profession is going into the digital age, ie electronic medical records. The sooner you adapt yourself to digital media, the easier it will be in the future. I watch the attendings at my school struggle to adapt to the new technology. Get a palm and use it as much as possible. By understanding one operating system and the ways to interface with multi programs, the more second nature other systems become. It is like driving a Ford and then getting into a Chevy. The controls are a little different, but it is easy to adapt.

Get a palm even if your school doesn't require it.

 

[ODdominant]

Aside from Wills and Epocrates.....are there any optometry/ophthalmology specific PDA programs

 

[TarzanBoy]

Try www.pdamd.com Besides drugs and Wills Eye, you can also get medical references for systemic diseases, i.e Lupus, candidiasis,... I like the Palm Treo 700w for Verizon, which has 125 MB (a monster compared to others), Bluetooth, Wifi...
Don't get anything that has a hard drive built in. They give you more storage but hard drives crash easily, esp. if you drop it...which I am sure you WILL. Think about it, it's a spinning disk inside spinning at about 7,000 rmp.