So who has one and what's in it?

[highlyfavored]

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Your PDA.... So, I'm in the market for a new phone and I'm trying to decide between a smartphone (HTC touch) or "reg" phone (LG voyager). I'll be a p2 in the fall so I don't think having a PDA is crucial this yr, but I will be in the hospital for a few wks doing some cases in the spring.

So what do you guys think? Do some of you carry a PDA separate from your phone? (is that a + or a -?) What programs are a must have in your opinion?

I need to make a purchase in the next 2 days so please help me out.


Thanks

 

[pharmdinfl]

I have been using my PDA since pharmacy school. I have Micromedex in it. I have access to Clinical Pharmacology at work, but it is quicker for me just to pull my PDA out of my pocket to look things up quickly. I also use it for my calendar and contacts.

I am not sure that I will ever buy one of the phones that is also a PDA because I'm just afraid if I rely too much on one piece of equipment, if it fails, I will be in trouble.

 

[RxWildcat]

I have a blackberry curve and I LOVE it. I only have epocrates on it right now and its OK for the most part, although it is somewhat limited. I would go the phone+PDA in 1 unit because you're more likely to have it at all times if its your phone.

 

[BravoKilo]

It really depends if you plan on paying extra for a data package for a smartphone/blackberry. I was looking to pick up a smartphone recently, but when I heard it would be an extra $45/month on top of my voice plan on Verizon, I said hell no. Depending on how much you want to spend, and what your carrier offers, the extra cost might pay for a new PDA in a few month's time, and be much cheaper in the long run. Another thing to consider is the battery life... can't say for certain, but I'm guessing two independent devices (cell & PDA) have a much longer battery life than a single smartphone.

I just picked up a Voyager and think its perfect for what I use it for. I have unlimited internet/data with the VPak and mainly use it to text/email/weather/sports/etc.

The idea of an all-in-one is nice, but I too am a bit afraid of relying solely on one device for all my needs. Another thing to take into consideration is the environments you will be entering -- most places won't think twice about a standard PDA, though I bet quite a few would be less than happy with a cell phone, and might outright prohibit them.

I currently have an old HP IPAQ (will be looking to upgrade soon) my brother gave to me a few years back and have both Epocrates and Clinical Pharmacology OnHand. Epocrates definitely has more options with all the add-ons they offer. One of the Pharmacist's at my work has been using Lexi-Comp and seems rather happy with it. Hopefully someone here with more experience on all the software packages can chime in

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I have a Dell Axim x51v. I had ePocrates and Lexi-Comp on it. Lexi-Comp is frankly the best program I've used or have seen used. However, I rarely used it because everywhere I went had PCs with access to Clinical Pharmacology, Lexi-Comp, or Up-to-Date. And now in the workforce, the hospital I work at provides access to every freakin' database you could fathom, too. In retrospect, it was a bloody waste of money.

 

[Caverject]

I have a Dell Axim x51v. I had ePocrates and Lexi-Comp on it. Lexi-Comp is frankly the best program I've used or have seen used. However, I rarely used it because everywhere I went had PCs with access to Clinical Pharmacology, Lexi-Comp, or Up-to-Date. And now in the workforce, the hospital I work at provides access to every freakin' database you could fathom, too. In retrospect, it was a bloody waste of money.

I agree...waste of money.

I have a palm tungsten and I rarely used it on rotations. Most rotation sites will have online access to some clinical website or most answers are easily available in a book usually located in the pharmacy.

now if you got some money to burn, by all means, do it

 

[SpirivaSunrise]

I have a Dell Axim x51v. I had ePocrates and Lexi-Comp on it. Lexi-Comp is frankly the best program I've used or have seen used. However, I rarely used it because everywhere I went had PCs with access to Clinical Pharmacology, Lexi-Comp, or Up-to-Date. And now in the workforce, the hospital I work at provides access to every freakin' database you could fathom, too. In retrospect, it was a bloody waste of money.

How's the job going Mikey? What they have you doing?

 

[highlyfavored]

It really depends if you plan on paying extra for a data package for a smartphone/blackberry. I was looking to pick up a smartphone recently, but when I heard it would be an extra $45/month on top of my voice plan on Verizon, I said hell no. Depending on how much you want to spend, and what your carrier offers, the extra cost might pay for a new PDA in a few month's time, and be much cheaper in the long run. Another thing to consider is the battery life... can't say for certain, but I'm guessing two independent devices (cell & PDA) have a much longer battery life than a single smartphone.

I just picked up a Voyager and think its perfect for what I use it for. I have unlimited internet/data with the VPak and mainly use it to text/email/weather/sports/etc.

The idea of an all-in-one is nice, but I too am a bit afraid of relying solely on one device for all my needs. Another thing to take into consideration is the environments you will be entering -- most places won't think twice about a standard PDA, though I bet quite a few would be less than happy with a cell phone, and might outright prohibit them.

I currently have an old HP IPAQ (will be looking to upgrade soon) my brother gave to me a few years back and have both Epocrates and Clinical Pharmacology OnHand. Epocrates definitely has more options with all the add-ons they offer. One of the Pharmacist's at my work has been using Lexi-Comp and seems rather happy with it. Hopefully someone here with more experience on all the software packages can chime in

Thanks for answering. I'm currently with AT&T and you're right about the extra cost for a data plan. In my area we have a cell company called Cricket and you get unlimited EVERYTHING for $45. So, I'm going to switch over to them.

I really want the voyager, but i was a little hesitant b/c it wasn't a pda, too. I just thought it would be more practical (financially and for the sake of pocket space) to only carry one device.

Idk....

 

[highlyfavored]

I agree...waste of money.

I have a palm tungsten and I rarely used it on rotations. Most rotation sites will have online access to some clinical website or most answers are easily available in a book usually located in the pharmacy.

now if you got some money to burn, by all means, do it

What about when you are walking around doing rounds and you can't stop at the computer to look up something?

 

[highlyfavored]

I have a blackberry curve and I LOVE it. I only have epocrates on it right now and its OK for the most part, although it is somewhat limited. I would go the phone+PDA in 1 unit because you're more likely to have it at all times if its your phone.

Thanks for answering! 🙂

 

[highlyfavored]

I have a Dell Axim x51v. I had ePocrates and Lexi-Comp on it. Lexi-Comp is frankly the best program I've used or have seen used. However, I rarely used it because everywhere I went had PCs with access to Clinical Pharmacology, Lexi-Comp, or Up-to-Date. And now in the workforce, the hospital I work at provides access to every freakin' database you could fathom, too. In retrospect, it was a bloody waste of money.

Hmmmm....I don't need to waste any more money. Thanks for answering.

 

[RxWildcat]

I forgot to mention that if you have verizon they force you to activate the full data package if you get the blackberry.

 

[BravoKilo]

Thanks for answering. I'm currently with AT&T and you're right about the extra cost for a data plan. In my area we have a cell company called Cricket and you get unlimited EVERYTHING for $45. So, I'm going to switch over to them.

I really want the voyager, but i was a little hesitant b/c it wasn't a pda, too. I just thought it would be more practical (financially and for the sake of pocket space) to only carry one device.

Idk....

Does that cover unlimited data for smartphones/blackberry? All the carriers I've seen will advertise "unlimited data" but only for your standard 'dumb phone'... and have separate data packages for smartphones/blackberry. How are the data speeds on Cricket? Might want to make sure they're decent if you plan on using it for internet/email/etc.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

How's the job going Mikey? What they have you doing?

For now, they have me out there being confused. The weird hospital-specific idiosyncrasies are the toughest things to pick up.

 

[highlyfavored]

Does that cover unlimited data for smartphones/blackberry? All the carriers I've seen will advertise "unlimited data" but only for your standard 'dumb phone'... and have separate data packages for smartphones/blackberry. How are the data speeds on Cricket? Might want to make sure they're decent if you plan on using it for internet/email/etc.

Yeah it does. They don't really have smartphones. I think they may have 1 blackberry and that's all. You have to buy one from another carrier and have it flashed to cricket. If someone does a complete flash then internet, email and mms will work.

The speed isn't super fast, but it's not too slow. I don't think I'll be checking my email too much. I don't usually get anything too important that can't wait until I get home to see, lol. I text more than anything else, which is one reason why I want the voyager...really nice keyboard. 😳

 

[highlyfavored]

I forgot to mention that if you have verizon they force you to activate the full data package if you get the blackberry.

Not good. No verizon for me. If I go with a major carrier, I think Sprint would have to be it. It seems like they're in the lead with the simply everything for $99.

 

[tootoo30]

Not good. No verizon for me. If I go with a major carrier, I think Sprint would have to be it. It seems like they're in the lead with the simply everything for $99.

Yeah, I got the new Instinct its okay but if your using it for the Internet go with another carrier because it is SLOW...but the simply everything plan is great, I was thinking about the iPhone until I saw that AT&T didn't have a simply everything plan, I should have know when I worked for them as a customer service rep I felt like they ripped their customers off with those ridiculous prices...just my 2cents 😉

 

[highlyfavored]

Yeah, I got the new Instinct its okay but if your using it for the Internet go with another carrier because it is SLOW...but the simply everything plan is great, I was thinking about the iPhone until I saw that AT&T didn't have a simply everything plan, I should have know when I worked for them as a customer service rep I felt like they ripped their customers off with those ridiculous prices...just my 2cents 😉

I like the look of the instinct, but you can't put lexi comp and such on it right?

 

[RxWildcat]

Not good. No verizon for me. If I go with a major carrier, I think Sprint would have to be it. It seems like they're in the lead with the simply everything for $99.

Plus if you do sprint you get the navigation for free, with verizon its an extra $8 / month.

 

[GatorRxGirl]

Anyone have the T mobile blackberries and if so please share your thoughts/opinions on them.

I really need to update from the Razr.

 

[FruitFly]

A PDA is no substitute for a brain. With that said, it's a good add-on.

 

[SpirivaSunrise]

Anyone have the T mobile blackberries and if so please share your thoughts/opinions on them.

I really need to update from the Razr.

I have the Curve...love it! (Much better than the Pearl that I used to have for a short period and gave away to my sister since I wasn't a huge fan). I don't have a drug database loaded on the phone though...

 

[Knipps]

I have the Curve...love it! (Much better than the Pearl that I used to have for a short period and gave away to my sister since I wasn't a huge fan). I don't have a drug database loaded on the phone though...

I have the curve too and agree, it's awesome

 

[GatorRxGirl]

I wish they still made a Treo.