What type of software for PDA

[desaiha1]

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Hello Everyone,
I am a second year student, and ready for rotations starting next fall. My question is what kind of PDA would you recommend for a long term use. Also what softwares would be good to have in the PDA for the rotations and residency after that.
I appreciate any kind of input.
thanks and good luck with rotations

 

[Fooman]

About the PDA, it depends on how much you want to spend. On average, expect to spend at least $200 and up. I'd look for something with color, expandable memory and small size. I have the Palm Tungsten T and it fits nicely in my pocket.

I'd stick with the Palm OS since most software are still made for Palm. However, more and more programs are being made available for both systems.

As for software...all you really need is Epocrates. However, there are lots of software out there that are very useful.

 

[madcadaver]

pda advice--
If you haven't used a PDA before and don't think you will use it a lot on a day to day basis for things like calendar, taking notes, to-do list, telephone list, reading the news, etc then I would go for something in the $200 or a little less range (the least expensive Sony Clie for example). It doesn't cost too much, will have a useful life of a couple years, and if you break it or get it stolen it's no big deal.

If you are an experienced PDA user and think you will be using it a lot then go for something better and more expandable. DO NOT NEGLECT TO GET A GOOD QUALITY CASE TO PROTECT YOUR PDA!!! Many people I know including myself have ruined their PDA just by dropping it once.

Good luck
MadC

 

[desaiha1]

Thanks for the input,
I was wondering whether to get the software as the 5 minute clinical consult and Harrisons or not
later

 

[Blade28]

I have a Pocket PC, and currently use 3 programs heavily: 2003 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th edition, and Epocrates Rx Pro. I also occasionally use the ABCs of Lab Interpretation and Archimedes for formulae.

 

[Teufelhunden]

Originally posted by Blade28
I have a Pocket PC, and currently use 3 programs heavily: 2003 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th edition, and Epocrates Rx Pro. I also occasionally use the ABCs of Lab Interpretation and Archimedes for formulae.

Wow, I'm a new MS-III and those are the EXACT programs I'm using (minus Stedman's d/t lack of $$$). I can actually say that I'm using my Palm MORE than I thought I would...looking up a drug every 30 seconds, it seems...

 

[Blade28]

Originally posted by Teufelhunden
Wow, I'm a new MS-III and those are the EXACT programs I'm using (minus Stedman's d/t lack of $$$). I can actually say that I'm using my Palm MORE than I thought I would...looking up a drug every 30 seconds, it seems...

Yup, exactly what I'm doing. 🙂

 

[gwyn779]

I use InfoRetriever and Tarascon Pharmacopeia. I can't afford to spend lots of $ on software. I did, however, just buy several Recall books for my PDA which I really like.

As for what PDA to get, get one with as much internal memory as possible, since some programs don't let you install to a memory card. And definitely go with Palm OS.

 

[GO_MEDPEDS]

Whoops! I'm lagging behind again to respond on another PDA topic!

I would disagree with the statment that the only medical software you need is ePocrates... Although this will probably be one of the more used programs, you will probably find 5 Minute Clinical Consult and a Dictionary to be indispensable. I would make absolute certain that the PDA you purchase has an expandable memory slot (pretty much standard in any newer PDA), as this will allow you to add more software later.

Although the price is rather steep for much of the better software (Skyscape programs in particular), I think you can still find your PDA to be very useful by maximizing the free programs (I posted some earlier on this board).

A quick recap of free, useful software (almost all available at www.palmgear.com):

Eponyms
MedCalc
MedMath
MedRules
Mnemonics (www.medicalmnemonics.com)
Shots2003

I would purchase iSilo! as a medical book reader program (www.isilo.com or at www.palmgear.com), and then download free references from www.memoware.com).

The Skyscape programs I would stronlgy consider purchasing:
5 Minute Clinical Consult
Taber's or Stedman's Medical Dictionaries
Outlines in Clinical Medicine

Finally, you can actually get a lot of use out of the free memopad installed on the PDAs.... just make different folders for different medical topics and write little notes as you pick up useful facts (i.e. differential diagnoses, medical management, drug reactions, etc.). This allows you to make a quick medical reference without spending any $$$.

Well, hope that proves helpful...

Grant
🙂

 

[Jalby]

Bump. This was one of the listings I found with all the free PDA stuff.

 

[lf777]

Hi

Two things you will use a lot:

A medical calculator: mecalc or Archimedes (both free)
A drug database: epocrates, tarascon
5 Minute Clinical Consult is very good for medical students as well.

good luck
Lf

 

[TommyGunn04]

I shelled out the cash for Skyscape's 5-minute clinical consult and the full version of Stedman's medical dictionary, and they have both been WELL WORTH THE MONEY! Some folks will tell you not to bother with Stedman's if you want to save some cash, but I've found that 5-minute often doesn't have important things listed, and the full version of Stedman's hasn't failed me yet. It's really useful for looking up physical exam signs, random diseases you've never heard of, etc.

I wouldn't bother paying for ePocrates Pro though...I haven't found any need for anything but the features included in the free version.

It's also helpful to download some of the free programs, as others have said above. For OB you'll need a "pregnancy wheel," and there's a free one called PregWheel on the web somewhere. It's great to have growth chart software for your peds rotation too. There are a few free ones I've found that are pretty decent.

I like the Archimedes medical calculator, which is FREE from Skyscape. It's mostly a matter of preference though, as there are lots of different ones out there.

 

[kirk002]

Has anyone purchased those disc full of medical programs listed on ebay?? any if so do they work?

kirk

 

[Jaded Soul]

Has anyone purchased those disc full of medical programs listed on ebay?? any if so do they work?

kirk

Please don't support those people selling those discs. They are selling copyrighted material and making pure profit on them since all it costs are pennies to burn a copy of a CD.