Handhelds in Medicine: A Practical Guide for Clinicians [Paperback]

From the reviews: "The editors have organized 20 chapters … into a worthwhile text on handheld computer use in medicine. … Key points, explicit hands-on exercises, and abundant screen shots are particularly strong features. … Any health care professional (doctor, nurse, student) with patient care responsibilities … will appreciate this informative resource." (Thomas G. McLeod, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Vol. 80 (6), June, 2005)

Have you ever wanted to calculate the predicted peak flow for one of your asthmatic patients without spending valuable minutes searching for that confounded little slide rule gizmo? Wouldn’t it be great if you could somehow remember all Mrs. Jones’ medications when the nursing home calls to see if it’s OK to treat her acutely elevated blood pressure with some atenolol? Handheld computers are emerging as the stethoscopes of the twenty-first century, and no clinician should be without this essential tool. These small, easy-to-use devices are now powerful enough to help clinicians manage information and make medical decisions at the point of care. This comprehensive how-to guide targets all levels of handheld computer users, from novices to experts, and demonstrates how to make the most of handheld computers in any medical practice. Designed with easy-to-understand, hands-on exercises for each new skill presented, this book begins with choosing a handheld and "getting to know" your new device. It then progresses through downloading and installing software, using charge capture and e-prescription programs, Internet and evidence-based resources for your device, designing and programming your own programs, and going wireless. Written by three experienced family medicine clinicians, Handhelds in Medicine is designed to improve every day practice for any busy health professional. There are chapters written for and by nearly every health professional, including nurses, physician assistants and speech pathologists. Reviews of handheld devices and websites will be kept current at www.handheldsinmedicine.com

Handheld computers are emerging as the stethoscopes of the twenty-first century, and no clinician should be without!  These small, easy-to-use devices are now powerful enough to help clinicians manage information and make medical decisions at the point of care.  Here, Drs. Stayer, Reynolds and Ebell, practicing physicians and nationally recognized handheld computing experts, show you how to make the most of a handheld computer in your medical practice.   This comprehensive how-to guide targets all levels of handheld computer users from novices to experts.  It is designed with easy-to-understand hands-on exercises that walk readers through each new skill presented.  For beginners, the first section is devoted to "getting to know your handheld," choosing or upgrading a handheld computer, and the basics of handheld operation.  There's also a comprehensive chapter on downloading and installing software.   Futher sections delve into different types of medical and nonmedical software, Internet and evidence-based resources for medical handheld computing, and, finally, advanced topics such as designing custom software and going wireless.  Even the most advanced user will find a lot to learn in this book.   Tired of handwriting your prescriptions, seraching for your peak flow slide rule or obstetrical wheel, or using index cards for billing while on rounds?  You'll learn how to do all these things and more on your handheld, including patient record keeping, medical calculations, electronic prescribing, electronic billing, and database programming.  Use of handheld computers in large practices and residencies is highlighted as well, and a chapter on teaching others to use handheld computers rounds out this definitive guide.

Scott M. Strayer, MD, MPH, is Assistant Professor of Family Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Virginia. Peter L. Reynolds, MD, is formerly Assitant Professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.  Dr. Reynolds is currently serving overseas with the U.S. Air Force in Geilenkirchen, Germany. Mark H. Ebell, MD, MS, is Associate Professor in the Department of Family Practice at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.