Mobile Device Information for Medical Students
The MD Program at the University of Wisconsin School Of Medicine and Public Health in Madison recommends that students acquire a mobile device sometime during their second year.
Many hospital residents and practicing physicians use mobile devices 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 mobile devices. Our goal is to promote medical education using leading-edge technology.
Mobile Operating Systems - Support
Mobile Operating Systems - Support
The UW School Of Medicine and Public Health only directly supports iPhone, iPod Touch and Palm Operating System (OS) devices. The current recommended handheld devices are the iPhone and iPod Touch. However, many of the medical programs commonly used are available for other platforms such as Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Android devices. See chart below.
|
iPhone/iPad/ |
Palm OS |
Windows Mobile |
Blackberry |
Android |
Palm webOS (Pre/Pixi) |
|
| Epocrates Rx | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Epocrates Essentials | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Essential Evidence Plus | Online only | Yes | Yes | Online only | Online only | Online only |
| Thomson Clinical Xpert | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Online only | Online only |
Device Recommendations (Currently Available)
iPhone Smart Phones
| Model | Status | Price (Approximate) |
| iPhone 4S (16GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $199.99* (AT&T and Verizon) |
| iPhone 4S (32GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $299.99* (AT&T and Verizon) |
| iPhone 3Gs (8GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $49.99* (AT&T) |
iPad Tablet
| Model | Status | Price (Approximate) |
| iPad WiFi (16GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $499 |
| iPad WiFi (32GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $599 |
| iPad WiFi (64GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $699 |
| iPad WiFi + 3G (16GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $629 |
| iPad WiFi + 3G (32GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $729 |
| iPad WiFi + 3G (64GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $829 |
iPod Touch Handhelds
| Model | Status | Price (Approximate) |
| iPod Touch (8GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $199.99 (DoIT Techstore) |
| iPod Touch (16GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $299.99 (DoIT Techstore) |
| iPod Touch (32GB) | Acceptable level of functionality | $399.99 (DoIT Techstore) |
Palm Smart Phones
| Model | Status | Price (Approximate) |
| Treo 755p | Acceptable level of functionality | $99.99* (Sprint) |
| Palm Centro | Acceptable level of functionality | $29.99* (Sprint) |
Devices Still Supported (Currently Unavailable)
Palm Smart Phones
| Model | Status | Price (Approximate) |
| Treo 680 | Acceptable level of functionality | ** |
| Treo 700p | Acceptable level of functionality | ** |
Palm Handheld
| Model | Status | Price (Approximate) |
| Tungsten E2 | Minimum level of functionality | ** |
| TX | Acceptable level of functionality | ** |
* Approximate price may vary and include any online discounts and/or rebates with cell provider two-year contract.
** No longer sold by Palm, online prices vary
Memory Card (Expansion)
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.
Security Guidelines
- In the interest 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.