The use of personal digital assistants by nurse practitioner students and faculty

Abstract

To describe the prevalence and patterns of use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) by nurse practitioner (NP) students and faculty, examine relationships between patterns of use of PDAs and demographic characteristics of NP students and faculty, and describe patterns of use of PDAs that support evidence-based practice (clinical scholarship). Responses to a 20-item questionnaire administered via electronic or postal mail from 227 NP students and faculty. A majority (67%) of the participants used PDAs. Use was higher among men (82%) than women (64%) (p < .05). On average, respondents who used a PDA (N = 153) had been using it just over a year (M = 13 months). Respondents reported using a PDA most days of the week (M = 5 days). The top three medical software programs identified by respondents as the most useful in clinical practice were ePocrates Rx (82%), Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult (26%), and MedCalc (22%). Most participants (96%) related that PDA use supported clinical decision making. Personal digital assistants may facilitate the application of evidence-based knowledge to practice. However, until there is evidence that PDA software is valid and reliable, clinicians should continue to use a multitude of references to assure the quality and safety of care provided.