Being published is overrated. Everyone is publishing something. Staff publish to maintain their position/tenure, residents publish because their programs require it, medical students publish so they can get a good residency, and undergraduates publish so they can get into medical school. STOP THE MADNESS!!! Wouldn't it be nice if people only published stuff because they really thought it was COOL? Stuff that when you asked them about it, you end up hearing way more than you ever thought you wanted to know but still listen enthralled because they talk with such passion?
Like when someone asks me about Palm Computing. I can still see my wife rolling her eyes every time someone asks, "So, what kind of Palm Computer should I get", as she walks away to find ANYTHING else to do. But finally it happened. She came to me and said, "OK, I'm ready to get a Palm Computer, but only under one condition - you can't bug me with the details, explain why one is better than the others, or any of that stuff. Just get me one." So instead, I'm going to share with you "all that stuff", along with a few comments about software.(If the last few sentences sound a little disorganized / tangential / loosely associated. Please attribute it to me doing Psyc right now. AND I THINK IT'S GETTING TO ME!!!)
What I Purchased?A Palm IIIxe from 3Com for $250 + shipping.
Why?It was the cheapest Palm OS Computer with enough memory to run 5MCC, Lexidrug, and all the other programs I like (8MB minimum). This was really the only criteria for my wife who as an avowed computer neophyte will not likely use the expandability of the TRG or Visor Deluxe, or the color of the Palm IIIc. And as a miserly intern with a medical student husband and 2 kids, can't afford the styling of the Palm Vx.
The Contenders (any of which may be more in line with your needs)
Palm Vx, $400 from 3Com with 8MB RAM and really cool exterior. It's not expandable, but If you can pay the extra $150 to look cool then you can pay to upgrade when the need arises. The rechargeable non-removable battery is good in that you don't have to deal with changing the battery periodically, but also bad in that you must leave it cradled for a period of time to recharge once in a while.
Palm IIIc, $450 from 3Com with 8MB RAM and a color display. Interesting idea that was bound to happen eventually, but since there isn't any software that medical students need which utilize color, what is the point? I know that eventually, I'll own a Palm Computer with a color display. Just not yet. FYI, looks like there is a neat clip-on GPS system in the works for the Palm IIIc.
Visor Deluxe, $250 from Handspring with 8MB and a very flexible external expansion slot. Unfortunately, the standard cradle requires a USB port which my vintage computer does not have. A serial cradle is available for an extra $20. Also, there aren't many expansion modules available yet. My recommendation will probably change when the promised beeper, GPS, MP3, etc. modules start shipping. Until then, I'll wait, especially since my wife wouldn't use that stuff anyway. My father-in-law (a construction manager) bought one and is very happy with it.
TRGpro, $330 from TRG with 8MB RAM and Compact Flash (CF) slot for storage card or other peripheral access. Good for mass storage (CF cards can store into the 100's of mbs) but I haven't seen the need yet.
Don't BotherPalm VII, $450 from 3Com with 2MB and an RF transmitter/receiver for connection to the internet via special service providers. Not enough memory and cost/benefit of Internet connection is dubious. I have also heard rumors that the RF interferes with medical equipment (does anyone actually have evidence that this really happens?).
Palm V, IIIx, IIIe, and Visor Non-Deluxe. Not enough memory. The Palm IIIx can be upgraded to 8MB RAM but why when the Palm IIIxe comes upgraded for $20 more.
Software IssuesI've gone legit, purchasing the new 2000 editions of 5MCC and Lexidrug along with Apothecarium (the companion drug interaction program) for $120 bundled plus an extra $20 for quarterly upgrades (so you can see why I am particularly fond of the 8MB devices). I'm not sure what changes to expect with the 2000 editions. I'll let you know in a future article if this was money well spent.
Another popular drug reference that uses less memory is ePocrates. Two great things about ePocrates: it's sortable by organ system/specialty (kind of like pocket pharmocopia) and it's FREE. The problem is I don't trust the information. Looking up OB/GYN under tocolytics, I expected to find MgSO4. Also checked pediatric dosing which was sporadic or different from Harriet Lane. The ideal would be to apply the ePocrates organ system/specialty framework to the Lexidrug database, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
Physik's Lists is a general reference which I have found useful on occasion. I say on occasion, because I have only used it a few times when I was unable to find what I was looking for in 5MCC or Lexidrug. The information is organized more like I would write notes from lecture, but much better organized. There are very useful mnemonics and other memory tools for quick study.
Look for a full article on Patient Tracking Software next month and a full software article to follow in the near future.