PDA and PDA Med Software

[Nephron123]

Hi everyone,

I've heard from a couple of people in Medical School in Canada that a PDA is useful to have for some of the larger books- like a medical dictionary or such, just because it's easier than carting the book from home to school, or to a library.

I was wondering is it useful to get a PDA? (if so, any recommendations) and also any suggestions on worthwhile software to get?

Thanks!

[jaywalk81]

you really dont need one for the first 2 yrs, it will be more useful when it is yr 3 and 4

[tralfaz]

For the most part, it does not help program-wise. I did find it useful to bring to the lecture halls in order to check/send emails/websites. If you do get one, I would suggest a palm based one (or windows, though I don't like them) because almost all medical software is written for those two platforms. It used to be that you could get the merck manual software for free if you were a student, but not any more. Now, it's $50.

As an aside, the nokia 770 is absolutely fantastic pda for internet/email/(maybe voip?). It is linux based though, so no medical software.

[RussianJoo]

I would say don't get one until your 3rd or 4th year. There is no use for them now, as for dictionaries and what not, all those books come with software for your laptop, so I just use that.

[Saora1]

Another voice for no. Like tralfaz, I have finished Basic Science i.e. the first two years of medical school (I'm only bringing that up to illustrate that I had no need for it during that time) and also have a PDA (Dell Axim x50v). I did not get it for medical school and it was of no use to me there either. Really, there's no need.

I also used it for e-mail, web browsing, listening to music (and scheduling for one term but that wasn't necessary), etc. It can even be used for Skype on the go although I don't use that service (preferring others). Absolutely nothing school related.

I'm glad I have it though cause it should be useful for clinicals in a few months.

Right now, I'd get a smartphone over a PDA though. Less things to carry.

[emt036]

In Basic Sciences, I had a PDA, but I never really used it for medical reference (though I had all kinds of stuff on there). Mostly used it for the calendar feature so I knew which days to show up for exams. :-)

In clinicals, (years 3 and 4), the medical references are proving more useful. You can even get some of the required textbooks so you can read during downtime without carrying 1000+ pg books with you.

Personally, I'd wait until clinicals before deciding to get one... That way you can see if any particular platform is supported better at your hospital. I agree with saora though, smartphones are the way to go... I just got a Treo 700p for $50 after rebates and trade-in and I just love it. Nothing like browsing VMD during Grand Rounds. :-)

[GonnaBaMD7]

In contrast to all the previous posts, I have a PDA (iPaq) and I find myself using it all the time. Mostly I use it as a substitute to carrying a laptop around for e-mail/reading news/etc... However, even in the first year you frequently encounter various drugs and I have found having Epocrates quite useful. I must say though, all of that is extra-curricular and it's really more of a toy than anything else but I would still be lost without it.