The Personal Digital Assistant

This guide is an introductory list to help locate research materials at the Rowland Medical Library.  The personal digital assistant also known as the PDA, Palm Pilot, Palm Top or Handheld is a pocket-sized computer that can exchange information stored on a  personal computer.  Because of its compact size and functionality this device is becoming an important tool for record keeping, for information and for assistance in clinical decision making at the point of care -  the bedside, office, classroom, clinic or hospital.

Guides / Handbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries / Selected textbooks / More books / Selected journals / More journals / Selected indexes and abstracts / Selected journal articles /  Specialized sources / Selected electronic sources

Guides 

Salkind, Neil J. Palm handhelds!: I didn't know you could do that, 2nd ed. 
        QA 76.8 .P13 S14 2001

Lessing, Pamela R.  The first week with my new digital organizer:  a very basic guide to Palm OS PDAs.
         QA 76.8 .P13 L47 2003

Handbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries

Johnson, Dave and Rick Broida. How to do everything with your palm handheld, 2nd ed.
        QA 76.8 .P13 J6 2001

Selected textbooks

Kilburn, Jon.  Palm programming in Basic.
        QA 76.8 .P13 K44 2002

More books 

Search RoMeO Public Access Catalog

Suggested subject headings: PalmPilot

Selected journals 

More journals

Search RoMeO Public Access Catalog

Suggested subject headings: Computers - Periodicals
Information Systems - Periodicals
Medical Informatics - Periodicals

Selected indexes and abstracts

Index Medicus & MEDLINE Database (On campus; Off-campus)

Suggested subject headings: Computers, Handheld
Search using keywords: Personal Digital Assistant
Palm Pilot
Handhelds

Academic Search Premier

Search using keywords: Handhelds
Palm Pilot
Personal Digital Assistant

Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature:
CINAHL Database  (On-campus; Off-campus)

Suggested Subject headings: Computers, Hand-Held

Selected journal articles

Al-Ubaydli M.  Handheld computers for doctors. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.  2004 Jan; 11(1) : 42-42

Stengal D et al,  Comparison of handheld computer-assisted and conventional paper chart documentation of medical records.  A randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery - American Volume. 2004 March; 86-A(3) : 553-60

Tabar P.  PDA analytical tools: The new bedside manner.  Healthcare Informatics. 2002 April; 19(4):14-6. 

Dobrousin A et al. Which hand-held computer is better for doctors? Part 2: Comparing models with microsoft operating systems. Canadian Family Physician. 2004 April; 50: 595-8

Rogoski RR.  "Wouldn't it be neat to keep all this information on a PDA?"  Health Management Technology.  2004 July; 25(7) : 12-4, 16.

Torre DM.  Clinical and educational uses of handheld computers.  Southern Medical Journal. 2003 Oct;  96(10) :  996-9.

Armour K.  PDAs in nursing.  Here's why & how to use this emerging clinical tool.  AWHONN Lifelines.  2004 June-July;  8(3) : 241-7.

Specialized sources

Department of Medicine.  601-984-5660.
        University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson
        David N. Duddleston, MD. dduddleston@medicine.umsmed.edu
        (for Palm OS applications in medicine)

Academic Information Services. 601-984-1287
        University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson
         Walter Morton, MLS, MSSM.  wmorton@rowland.umsmed.edu
         (for Palm OS applications)

Selected electronic sources

AMSA:  American Medical  Student Association.
AMSA Overview of Handheld Devices

pdaMD.com
 Site features reviews of software/etexts, an online store (includes PDA starter kit for medical students), tutorials, how to guides, and references on PDA applications in medicine. Includes the AMA PDA Center offering price discounts.

MedPDA.Net
Site provides links to downloading free software, new product information, tutorials and helpful articles on medical applications.

PDAs for Health Care Providers.  Arizona Health Sciences Library.
Comprehensive site includes Tips for Productivity and a bibliography of 606 citations.

PDA Support. OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.  Library & Resource Center.
Includes PDA resources for nurses, training sites, policies, listservs and resources for free software.

AACN's PDA Center. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
Information on hardware and software is listed in order of popularity. Includes tutorials and articles on PDA application in critical nursing practice.

PDA Resources by Subject. VCU Libraries..
Subjects include bioterrrorism and nursing.

PDA Resources. Mercer University. School of Medicine.   Mercer Medical Library.
Site includes information oriented to PDA applications in Medical Schools. 

ectopicbrain: Palm OS Handhelds in Clinical Practice.
Maintained by Dr. K.E. Willyard, a family practitioner, this site is a personal list primarily oriented to ambulatory family medicine.

Author:  Helvi McCall
Copyright 2002. Revised 2005.  Reference Department, Rowland Medical Library,
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson
Last Updated: February,  2005 8:44