Handheld Computers for Doctors

This is the first book to address the uses of handheld computers
within clinical practice and considers the many different possible
applications of handheld computers in a medical environment.

The book champions the idea that handheld computers have a
significant role to play in the future of clinical practice. It
shows why and how these devices can help reduce paperwork, and how
to use the technology without waiting for the IT department's
latest expensive, complicated and overdue solution.

The book is in three sections:

• Explains that handhelds, far from futuristic gadgets, are
  today's technology benefiting clinicians around the world. The ten
  chapters guide the user through all possible applications of these
  machines.

• Looks at three teams that put the handhelds to different
  clinical uses.

• Explains the tools and techniques that are useful in
  introducing the technology to a group.

If you work in hospital or community medicine, you can take
advantage of technology that is affordable, powerful, easy and
effective. Handheld computers can be used for education,
administration and clinical practice, and in association with
colleagues to support communication and teamwork.

Autorentext

Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, MD is an Honorary Senior Research Associate at University College London in London, UK.

Klappentext
Are you spending too much time filling out paperwork and too little time being a doctor? Over 20% of a doctor's time is spent dealing with paper. This book will show you why and how handheld computers can help you reduce this time, and how to use the technology without waiting for the IT department. If you work in hospital or community medicine, you can take advantage of technology that is affordable, powerful, easy and effective:

• Use handheld computers for your education, administration and clinical practice.
• Use handheld computers with your colleagues to support communication and teamwork.
• Use handheld computers today without waiting for the IT department's latest expensive, complicated and overdue solution. "I would recommend to any doctor use of a handheld for managing patient lists. And I recommend this book for a down-to-earth account of the experience." Andrew Harrison, British Medical Journal "Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli is the leading light in the world of handheld computers for doctors."
  Dr Murray Longmore, co-author of the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine

"I predict this book will dramatically boost the use of handhelds amongst medical students and doctors. Short, punchy chapters make this an ideal book to read on the run, with a clear, intelligent discussion specifically aimed at the non-technical audience."
Dr Jeanette Murphy, editor of British Medical Informatics Today

"I only wish [the book] had been around when I first started using my handheld on the wards. Highly recommended!"
Dr Chris Paton, creator of DoctorsGadgets.com

Zusammenfassung
This is the first book to address the uses of handheld computers within clinical practice and considers the many different possible applications of handheld computers in a medical environment. The book champions the idea that handheld computers have a significant role to play in the future of clinical practice. It shows why and how these devices can help reduce paperwork, and how to use the technology without waiting for the IT department's latest expensive, complicated and overdue solution.

The book is in three sections:

• Explains that handhelds, far from futuristic gadgets, are today's technology benefiting clinicians around the world. The ten chapters guide the user through all possible applications of these machines.

• Looks at three teams that put the handhelds to different clinical uses.

• Explains the tools and techniques that are useful in introducing the technology to a group.

If you work in hospital or community medicine, you can take advantage of technology that is affordable, powerful, easy and effective. Handheld computers can be used for education, administration and clinical practice, and in association with colleagues to support communication and teamwork.

Inhalt
About the Author. Preface.

Section One: Why Star Trek is science past.

So, you'd like a handheld.

Choosing hardware.

Choosing software for yourself.

Organizing your life.

Taking lecture notes.

Keeping track of patient details.

Medical references.

Reading electronic books.

Games for ward rounds.

Carrying the web with you.

Handhelds for patients.

Section Two: Why two handhelds are better than one.

Case 1 - The haematology department.

Case 2 - The General Practice surgery.

Case 3 - The acute medicine department.

Section Three: On being a project champion.

Making change happen.

Talking to the IT department.

Choosing software for the team.

Training.

Electronic documents.

Getting the funding.

Appendix: Accompanying website.

Index.