Hand-held computers in healthcare: what software programs are available?

The technology sector of healthcare is entering a new evolutionary phase. The medical community has an obligation to the public to provide the safest, most effective healthcare possible. This is more achievable with the use of computer technology at the point of care, and small, portable devices could fulfil this role. A PriceWaterhouse Coopers 2001 survey on information technology in physician practices found that 60% of respondents say that physicians in their organisation use personal digital assistants (PDAs), compared with 26% in the 2000 technology survey. This trend is expected to continue to the point where these devices will have their position on a physician s desk next to the stethoscope. Once this electronic evolution occurs, doctors will be able to practice medicine with greater ease and safety. In our opinion, the new generation of PDA mobile devices will be the tools to enable a transformation of healthcare to a paperless, wireless world. This article focuses on uses of PDAs in healthcare, whether by the registrar, consultant, nurse, student, teacher, patient, medical or surgical director. Current PDA healthcare software is categorised and discussed in the following five groups: 1) reference/text book; 2) calculator; 3) patient management/logbook; 4) personal clinical/study notebook; 5) utility software.