Introduction to PDAs

Introduction to PDAs	PDA Vendors	PDA Accessories	Medical PDA Links
Our Featured Site	General Palm PDA Links	PDA Tutorials	Magazines & Newsletters

Introduction to PDA's

A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a hand-held computer that allows you to store, access, and organize information. Most PDAs work on either a Windows-based or a Palm operating system or platform. PDAs can be screen-based or keyboard-based, or both. The main purpose of a personal digital assistant (PDA) is to act as an electronic organizer or day planner that is portable, easy to use and capable of sharing information with your PC. It's supposed to be an extension of the PC, not a replacement.

As the medical profession continues to embrace the PDA for a multitude of uses like medical record access, prescription writing, and even as an avenue for information retrieval, usage will increase. Medical professionals and the healthcare profession as a whole have become increasingly comfortable with its use at the bedside to access reference books for diagnosis or to fill a prescription order with the ability to be sent directly to a pharmacy.

You will not find this page to be complete but it will be comprehensive in its approach to the provision of information and links to much of the latest PDA hardware and software; especially its use in medicine. PDAs are constantly being improved and updated in their capabilities. Be sure to check the most current information before you consider buying.

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Our Featured Site

PubMed for Handhelds

Search MEDLINE and some of its related databases with your handheld devices.

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PDA Vendors

This list of PDA vendors is provided for the convenience of Stevens Hospital physicians who may plan to purchase a handheld computer. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement of any vendor listed. This list of PDA vendors is provided for the convenience of Stevens Hospital physicians who may plan to purchase a handheld computer. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement of any vendor listed.

Makers of Palm Operating System Devices

palmOne
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Handera
Sony
Kyocera SmartPhone

Makers of PocketPC Operating System Devices

Casio
Gadgeteer PocketPC comparison page
Hewlett-Packard
Microsoft's PocketPC home page
PocketPC Central - specs on different brands, accessories
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PDA Accessories

Accessories for your PDA help busy professionals get more work done and work more efficiently. Some of the accessories you want to have may provide protection for your PDA while you travel. As before, inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement of any vendor listed.

bottomdollar.com

HomeNetHelp

Keysan

smarter.com

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Medical PDA Links

The following list of Medical PDA links provides software solutions assisting clinicians manage patient information and access medical content at the point of care. List inclusion does not imply endorsement of the products listed.