definitely a tool

David — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:21:21 +0000

While at school yesterday, one of my classmates showed me a new piece of technology . . . yes, it was a gadget. However, this gadget is different than many gadgets as it can actually be justified for me in my future profession. Call it a tool, if you will. Let’s start with a handy little program that I’ve been told over and over is absolutely essential when practicing medicine. It is a program called Epocrates. This little program fits on a PDA and provides drug information, drug interaction information, and if you get the subscription it has a clinical consult section. From what I understand, it is an incredibly powerful program which aids the physician in covering all the bases. Next, there is the fact that physicians carry all kinds of “tools” with them as they are going about their workday. Stethoscope, reflex hammer, cell phone, and of course (to carry Epocrates) a PDA in addition to many other items.

To cut down on the weight and clutter of all these items . . . it would be ideal to combine as many of them as possible. The phone and PDA have been combined for a while . . . first with the palm and the add-on phone adapter . . . then, more effectively by the Palm Treo. Now, I believe the best combination yet . . . the HTC Touch. On their website they tout, “The world’s first touch phone.” The press release on HTC’s website stated, “The HTC Touchâ„¢ is now available [June 5, 2007] in the United Kingdom and will be released later this month in Asia [June 12, 2007] and throughout Europe. The North and Latin American version of the HTC Touchâ„¢ will be available in the second half of 2007.” Since yesterday was the widely anticipated Iphone release . . . I guess they beat them. I’d have to say that the Iphone is a watered-down version of the Touch. Plus it has Windows MobileÂ® 6 Professional . . . so you can add products like Epocrates and anything else your heart desires. The features are rich and the interface is the most usable I’ve ever seen. I’m not an expert on gadgets . . . but I do love them, and this one impresses the socks off me! It’s certainly on my “must get before I start clinical rotations” wish list.

My friend got his on St. Maarten for ~$600. I found one online at 1ShopMobile.com for $489. That’ll save you a little chunk of change.

david » gadgets

definitely a tool