Handheld computers in clinical practice
http://www.100md.com
《英国医生杂志》
EDITOR—Our age is electronic whether we like it or not.1 2 The amount of information available through the internet to both doctors and patients is phenomenal. I have two handheld devices, one operates on Palm and the other Windows CE.
I carry medical information around on these devices that would be impossible to carry in paper form, such as reference books, journals, and software to calculate a patient's body mass index or peak flow rate.
The scope for the use of handhelds is extensive, and because of their size they are much easier to carry around than laptops. Backing up data is very important, and limits to their use depend on people's attitudes to use of computers or electronic devices in general.
Many options are available for most devices, to cater for different uses and preferences. Prices are no longer a barrier, and storage on most devices can be expanded without any problem.
Most of my patients are quite intrigued when I pick the device up to use information on it as reference. Handhelds are widely used in the United States by practising doctors as well as by medical students. I believe that with time these devices are going to be used much more in general practice as the "new breed" of doctors join general practice.
David A Eso, general practitioner partner
Heath House Surgery, Free School Lane, Halifax HX1 2PS yomieso@aol.com
Competing interests: None declared.
References
Scheck McAlearney A, Schweikhart SB, Medow MA. Doctors' experience with handheld computers in clinical practice: qualitative study. BMJ 2004;328: 1162-0. (15 May.)
Al-Ubaydli M. Handheld computers. BMJ 2004;328: 1181-4. (15 May.)
I carry medical information around on these devices that would be impossible to carry in paper form, such as reference books, journals, and software to calculate a patient's body mass index or peak flow rate.
The scope for the use of handhelds is extensive, and because of their size they are much easier to carry around than laptops. Backing up data is very important, and limits to their use depend on people's attitudes to use of computers or electronic devices in general.
Many options are available for most devices, to cater for different uses and preferences. Prices are no longer a barrier, and storage on most devices can be expanded without any problem.
Most of my patients are quite intrigued when I pick the device up to use information on it as reference. Handhelds are widely used in the United States by practising doctors as well as by medical students. I believe that with time these devices are going to be used much more in general practice as the "new breed" of doctors join general practice.
David A Eso, general practitioner partner
Heath House Surgery, Free School Lane, Halifax HX1 2PS yomieso@aol.com
Competing interests: None declared.
References
Scheck McAlearney A, Schweikhart SB, Medow MA. Doctors' experience with handheld computers in clinical practice: qualitative study. BMJ 2004;328: 1162-0. (15 May.)
Al-Ubaydli M. Handheld computers. BMJ 2004;328: 1181-4. (15 May.)