Pocket Comrade

[Ho I wish to have a PDA]

We're getting hang of maximizing space in the planet. From bulky analogs, we made wee cellphones; from monster desktops to sleek mac laptops; from bunch of nursing books to a pocket sized device.

The object of my dreams and fantasies is a pocket- sized plastic device measures more or less four inches length and 3 inches wide called PDA or Personal Digital Assistant.


In short, guto ko magkaro'n ng PDA.


For a nursing student like me whose life revolve around the college and clinical settings resolves around reference books like the medical dictionary, laboratory manual, NANDA, durg handbook and journals; that were staples in our backpacks , is not an easy you know. When a clinical instructors asked a drug study, students searching for the right book ( MIMS or PDR Drug Hand book, etc) to look for classifications, adverse effects, indications, contraindications, mechanism of actions and nursing responsibilities. If only the students had something to keep with them. It would save time and increase the probability that they [we] take the extra step to research pharmacological interventions.


What is a Personal Digital Assistant?


PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are handheld computers that can synchronize information between the handheld and your desk top computer. Most use pen based interfaces with handwriting recognition technologies for data entry. Like most technology the PDA has quickly evolved to be a fairly sophisticated device but the basic applications on most PDAs include a date book, address book, task list, memo pad and calculator.


Types of Devices


There are currently two main competing device formats, Palm (PalmOne) and Pocket PC (Microsoft). Palm devices uses the Palm Operating System (OS) as do several other manufacturers such as Handspring, Sony, and TRG for example. Microsoft PocketPC based devices include those manufactured by Compaq/Hewlett-Packard and Casio.


Why would I buy a PDA?


Many programs have been developed to help nurses and other health care professionals and are valuable because of the enormous amount of information that can be made available during patient care and particularly at the point-of-care. Some of the particular uses include calculations, vast amounts of reference and clinical tools for quick reference, and patient tracking. It is important to consider what you want to use the PDA for when making a decision about which device to purchase. Some things to think about include: the device's data entry method (especially for email and text intensive applications), the size and shape of the device and its display (should be comfortable to hold and the display easy to read), integrated features such as GPS, MP3 player, memory slots, peripheral accessories (headphones, keyboards etc.), digital camera and cell phone.


What comes with a PDA?


Some of the basic applications that come with a PDA are a calendar and date book, address book, memo pad and To Do list, expenses, email, calculator and built in security features such as passwords and information 'locks'. Increasingly PDAs are integrating other technologies such as voice recording, MP3 players, wireless connectivity with wireless networking (WiFi) or cellular telephone technology, and digital cameras. Basically, the more features and memory that these adaptable computing devices offer the higher the price.
An essential feature of PDAs is their ability to synchronise data with a PC or Apple Mac computer. All PDA devices come with synchronisation software and some sort of desktop Personal Information Manager (PIM) application. Palm OS machines will work with either Windows or Apple Macintosh systems, whereas PocketPC machines are designed to synchronise with Microsoft Windows based systems. Most can also use third-party PIMs such as Lotus Organiser, or CorelCentral with additional software purchases.

Quotes from Old School Goes High Tech, Advance for Nurses:

To me, it ties it all together, Kurt said. As you're learning how critically think about a patient, you want to look at all aspects.

This pocket- sized reference builds confidence in students allowing to assuredly answer patients' questions with certainty.

Sources: Old School Goes High Tech, Advance for Nurses, Internet