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Palms, Microsoft PocketPCs and Blackberries
are becoming a popular tool in medical education
and practice.
These devices are best known for their built-in scheduling, email and phonebook features.
They are also, however, capable of running a huge variety of medical software,
from drug references and textbooks to medical calculators and image viewers.
In contrast to desktop or even laptop computers, handhelds are very small and light,
offer the convenience of "instant-on" and a relatively long battery life, and are much
more rugged (no moving parts).
In recognition of their capabilities, of the fact that many of the students,
faculty and staff of the Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine are already
using them, and of the exponential growth of their use in other medical schools
and healthcare institutions, a committee was formed in January 2001 for the
purpose of putting together this recommendation document. Our primary goal
was and still is to provide up-to-date recommendations for the use of handhelds
in medical education.
In addition, we will work with the Personal Computer
Purchase Centre (PCPC), DoctorsNS, and other partners to promote the program, obtain
discounts on hardware and software, and provide training and support.
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