palm/pda

[technoclueless]

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Hi. I'm starting my EM residency in July-- yikes! I am an idiot when it comes to technology but want to know if people strongly recommend a palm or pda or something for residency. I did fine in my 3rd and 4th year rotations without one. So, do I need to get one? And if so, is there one that people recommend?
Thanks!

 

[USCDiver]

check with your new program, some will provide one for you

 

[technoclueless]

Yeah, they don't. Sucks, don't it?

 

[docB]

I highly recommend a PDA of some type. I use epocrates (which is free) and PEPID (which costs). A PDA lets you do lots of things like keep your schedule, phone numbers, pass words, door codes, etc. You can beam notes back and forth with your classmates. Some people even keep thier to do lists on them though I found that cumbersome.

Your real question is should you get a Palm OS based device or a Windows OS based device. I use Palm but it's because I am habituated to it and I couldn't get Windows to absorb my Palm created stuff. Lots of people use and love Windows. The main advantage of windows is that there are more high end devices that run it when you get up into the realm of smart phones.

I recommend getting a non smart phone device for residency because you never know what service will work at your sites, you don't know what you'll really use or not yet and when you move after residence you again don't know what service will be best. Once you get those things figured out you can move up to whatever will be available at that time.

 

[atsai3]

Hi. I'm starting my EM residency in July-- yikes! I am an idiot when it comes to technology but want to know if people strongly recommend a palm or pda or something for residency. I did fine in my 3rd and 4th year rotations without one. So, do I need to get one? And if so, is there one that people recommend?
Thanks!

In terms of PalmOS: If all you want is a PDA that will handle basic software, then a Palm Tungsten E or E2 will suffice. Tungsten E2 is basically the same as the Tungsten E, except it has a faster processor and longer battery life; and it has non-volatile memory so that if the battery runs out, you don't lose all of your data. The faster processor is not really a huge advantage, but the battery life and non-volatile memory are substantial improvements over the Tungsten E. Both Tungsten E & E2 are readily available at discounted prices from online or E-Bay retailers. They have a nice form factor and sit around 4oz in weight which is just enough to create a slight bulge in your shirt pocket.

However, I like my Palm Tx, which is basically the same thing as the E2 except that it is slightly bigger and has Wi-Fi -- so I can check my e-mail during downtime. Downside is that it weighs more: 5.2oz, still fits in the shirt pocket but you definitely feel the heft.

If you're not wedded to the PalmOS and are going for the lightest PDA with the nicest form factor, then I would suggest looking around for the Hewlett Packard iPaq h1910, which is at least 5 years old. But it will run Tarascon ePharmacopeia just fine. It is the cutest and lightest (118g) PocketPC device that was ever produced. But you'll probably have a hard time finding one even on E-Bay.

Cheers
-AT.

 

[Jeff698]

I'm a Palm Treo guy and use PEPID. I recommend both.

I got the Palm version because, as a Mac guy, I didn't think I could sync as well with a Windows Media version. Nonsense. I use Missing Synch instead of the Palm synch stuff 'cause it's much better. They make if for Windows also.

Get the device you want and don't pay all that much attention to the OS. You'll be able to synch either regardless of your desktop/laptop OS.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[bartleby]

Pepid works on multiple platforms (palm, win, blackberry OS) so you can get it on pretty much anything. It has everything: an EM database, med calculators, interactions, dosage calculators, and drug info. It's pricey, but you get what you pay for.

 

[bluejay68]

I upgraded from a Palm m505 to a Plam TX a few months ago and love it. I use epocrates, and I also make lots of memos on all kinds of EM topics. I use lecture handouts, journal articles, etc to make these memos, which is a way to read/study and then I have the memo for reference in the future (also good for teaching interns). I also have a couple of free programs that are helpful every once in a while, like an Ob wheel, mini mental exam and various medical calculators.

At the end of my second year, all I carry now are a pen, a scrap of paper, my stethoscope (with LED light attached), trauma shears, pager and my Palm TX. I think I had 15 pounds of crap in my pockets when I started residency, and I think I'm finally down to the essentials now.

 

[DrQuinn]

I actually went through most of med school and residency without a palm. i did buy one for 1st year med school, and had the whole portable keyboard thingy and took notes... but it ended up not really making much of a difference....

throughout rotations i never used it, and in residency as well. I carried around in residency the pocket phamracopeia (drugs), tarascon books (depending ont he rotation, but the Adult ER, the Pedi ER, Medicine/Critical Care), the Sanford. Got me through what I needed to.

I do little book vs. Palm challenges with med students when they show up with their fancy stuff. We'll pick a random drug name, I'll be able to find it and get you the dose before they do.

That being said, not having a PDA meant I really needed to know my drug side effects/interactions, etc, because the pharmacopeia didn't have it.

So, its not necessary if you didn't use one in the past. But if you have money to blow and like that sort of thing, its not a bad idea.

Q

 

[sleepymed]

I do little book vs. Palm challenges with med students when they show up with their fancy stuff. We'll pick a random drug name, I'll be able to find it and get you the dose before they do.


Q

How much of that do you think is because you are more comfortable with the format of the book, the drugs, the dosages, etc?

Of course, they could always be sucking up 😉

 

[141837]

One of the better Palm OS machines out there, though discontinued, is the Sony Clie TH55. The Palm TX works pretty well for the price, for a new machine. The Palm Lifedrive's a bear as it is incessantly slow. I'm unfamiliar with both Blackberry and Pocket PC. Many more medical programs, presently, for the Palm OS platform.

Program-wise, the two clinical biggies are Pepid vs. Skyscape's titles. YMMV. I have experience with both and they each have their pros+cons. Pepid's less complicated and packs a LOT of info into one clearing-house (like the Lab Manual and the plethora of medical calculators), but Skyscape has 300+ titles, all self-linking to each other, and trial offers. Both have quite good customer service.

Other important recommended programs:
- Epocrates (the larger, pay version is fairly heavily packed with info)
- Johns Hopkins ABX guide (Sanford's is *very* tough to navigate... I carry their pocket guide)
- Medical Eponyms
- Medical Wizards ER Suites!

Many, many other software options out there... but don't get lost by trying to bulk up a machine too much... analogous to using too many study guides for boards... too many may definitely affect your time negatively, by becoming *too* diversified.

Take care.

🙂