|
|
|
10/08/2001 What is a PDA? Personal Digital Assistants, or PDAs, are one of the fastest selling devices in the consumer market. Roughly nine to ten million of these handheld computers have been sold. Handheld computers were originally designed to be personal organizers, but have now evolved into complementing—not replacing—a desktop or laptop computer by combining computing, telephone/fax, and networking features. Categories: PDAs fall into two major categories: handheld and
palm-sized. The handheld computers tend to be larger and heavier, and use a
miniature keyboard in combination with a touch screen for data entry. The
palm-sized computers are smaller and lighter, and usually use a stylus (a
special pen-like device) or touch-screen technology and handwriting recognition
for data entry. All PDAs have microprocessors (the brain of the PDA), operating
systems (this contains the pre-programmed instructions that tell the
microprocessor what to do), memory, LCD (monochrome or color), batteries for
operation, an input device, input/output ports, and desktop PC software. Features: The basic features of a PDA include a date book, address book, task list and memo pad. PDAs can store contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses), take notes, write memos, keep track of appointments, remind you of appointments, plan projects, and do calculations. Some models can even send or receive e-mail, do word processing, play MP3 music and MPEG movie files, download information from the Internet, play video games, and integrate such things as digital cameras! To make things even better, there are literally thousands of software packages available for PDAs that allow you to customize your device, such as getting a restaurant suggestion in New York City or calculating the position of the stars. Medical PDA PDAs are proliferating in the medical market , and
thousands of health Professionals are taking advantage of this technology. Now a
single handheld device can manage a complete range of patient care and administrative
functions throughout your work day—whether you are in the classroom, the
office, or doing rounds! Beyond keeping track of your appointments, you can use
your PDA to access patient records (including prescription history), prescribe
medication and generate refills (or view drug reference documentation and
interactions), order lab tests (and obtain results), or generate patient
referrals to other physicians. Finally, all pertinent information can be
dictated into your handheld (with transcription note print-outs) along with
capturing patient charges (and other billing management features).
|