PDA Mobile Computing
The MD Program at the University of Wisconsin School Of Medicine and Public Health in Madison recommends that students acquire a PDA sometime during their second year. Many hospital residents and practicing physicians now use PDAs on a routine basis as an important resource for class schedules, patient care information and for data management and reference.
PDAs are used to learn about prescription writing and clinical procedures, and are a valuable reference tool. First- and second-year student course schedules and group information are downloadable to PDAs. Our goal is to promote medical education using leading-edge technology.
Device Recommendations
Memory Card (Expansion)
Security Guidelines
Device Recommendations
The UW School Of Medicine and Public Health currently only supports iPhone, iPod Touch, and Palm Operating System (OS) devices. However many of the medical programs needed are available for other platforms such as Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices. See chart below for device versus software compatibility information.
|
Platform |
Device |
Memory Internal |
Memory Expansion |
Wi-Fi |
Epocrates Rx (Free) |
Epocrates Essentials |
Essential Evidence Plus |
Micromedex (Thompsons Clinical Xpert) |
|
Palm OS |
E2 |
32MB (26MB)* |
1 GB SD, MMC |
NO |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
TX |
128MB (100MB)* |
2 GB SD, MMC |
YES (802.11b) |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
Treo 680 |
(64MB)* |
4 GB SD, MMC |
TCP |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES** |
|
|
Treo 755p |
128MB (60MB)* |
4 GB miniSD |
TCP |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
Centro |
(64MB)* |
4 GB microSD |
TCP |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
|
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|
Windows Mobile |
Treo 700w|wx |
128MB (60MB)* |
SD, MMC, SDIO |
TCP |
YES |
NO |
YES |
YES |
|
Treo 750 |
128MB (43MB)* |
4 GB miniSD |
TCP |
YES |
NO |
YES |
YES |
|
|
Treo 800 |
256MB (170MB)* |
8 GB microSD |
YES (802.11b/g) |
YES |
NO |
YES |
YES |
|
|
|
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|
Mac OS |
iPhone 3G |
8 and 16 GB |
|
YES (802.11b/g) |
YES |
YES |
Online Access |
Online Access |
|
iPod Touch |
8, 16 and 32 GB |
|
YES (802.11b/g) |
YES |
YES |
Online Access |
Online Access |
|
|
|
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|
Blackberry |
|
|
|
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
||||||||
|
Online Version |
|
|
|
|
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
* = User Storage Available |
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|
** = Device exhibits behavior that may render the experience to be less than desirable. |
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|
TCP = Through Cell Provider |
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Recommendations
| Models: | Status: | Price (Approx.): |
| iPhone Operating System Handhelds (currently available) | ||
| iPhone3G (8GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $199* |
| iPhone3G (16GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $299* |
|
iPod Touch Operating System Handhelds (currently available) |
||
| iPod Touch (8GB) | Recommended (Mac) model | $229 |
| iPod Touch (16GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $299 |
| iPod Touch (32GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $399 |
| Palm Operating System Handhelds (currently available) | ||
| Tungsten E2 handheld | Minimum level of functionality | $199 |
| TX handheld | Recommended (Palm) model | $299 |
|
Palm Smart Phones (currently available) |
||
| Treo 680 | Acceptable level of functionality | $149.99* |
| Treo 700p | Acceptable level of functionality | $399.99* |
| Treo 755p | Acceptable level of functionality | $249.99* |
| Palm Centro | Acceptable level of functionality | $399* |
* Price dependent on wireless plan and provider
Any of the above devices have an acceptable level of functionality for use with the software available to medical students. The TX handheld is recommended because of the large amount of internal memory (128MB) and its ability to connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi. With the TX handheld you will be able to store more programs and get updates for software such as Epocrates, and download e-mail though Wi-Fi.
We are also highly recommend purchasing a memory card with a Palm device. (If you have an iPhone/iPod Touch, a memory card is not needed). Some of the programs, such as Essential Evidence Plus, will not work without it. Also, if you have a device that only has 32MB internal memory you will need the memory card to use Epocrates Essentials. Another advantage of getting a memory card is the ability to use your Palm device to listen to MP3s (songs, audiobooks, lecture captures) and view digital media and photos.
We recommend an SD (Secure Digital) memory card of 512MB to 2GB in storage capacity.
| Model | Memory Card Type | Max. Size |
| Tungsten E2 handheld | SD, MMC | 1GB |
| TX handheld | SD, MMC | 2GB |
| Treo 680 | SD, MMC | 4GB |
| Treo 700p | SD, MMC | 2GB |
| Treo 755p | miniSD | 4GB |
| Palm Centro | microSD | 4GB |
Note: An MMC (MultiMedia Card) will work in several of the devices but that card type seems to be phasing out.
The miniSD and microSD cards have adapters that can be used in regular-sized SD expansion card slots.
- In the interests of adhering to HIPAA rules, if you use your PDA to keep track of patient information you are expected to password protect your device. Password protection can be accessed through the preferences icon on your Palm.
- Password protection should always be active and set for five minutes or less. Your PDA should be set to turn off automatically within three minutes or less.
- Please be cognizant of synchronizing sensitive patient and staff-related data on home computers.
- Home Cable, DSL and LAN users should have a firewall installed on their home computers.
- Home computer users who have sensitive data on their PDAs are responsible for ensuring the data is secure. Transfer of a home computer or PDA to another person necessitates erasing of all patient and staff-related data.