Power to the Palm:
Drug Data in Your Pocket
Dominick M. Maino, O.D., M.Ed.
Only on the Net: Check Out Dr.
Maino's Web Update
Like many of you whom I’ve talked to over the past few months, I’ve
become a dedicated Palm handheld computer user. However, one program that
had been lacking for the Palm is a complete drug database at a reasonable
cost—until now.
Epocrates (www.epocrates.com)
is a free, comprehensive, clinical drug guide that you can use with your
Palm and other compatible handheld computers. Physicians (with help from
engineers) designed this program to deliver point-of-care information on
more than 300 commonly used drugs. You can view the drugs alphabetically
by brand or generic name, and search by therapeutic class (cardiovascular,
ophthalmic, etc.) or functional use. Each drug description offers several
levels of information you can access while interacting with the patient.
Epocrates displays specific dosing for primary, secondary, tertiary
and even off-label indications. It also offers suggested dosing by indication
and age. Information on potential drug interactions, contraindications
or adverse reactions is also a tap away. Free updates are available regularly.
There are limitations. Epocrates does not allow you to add new drugs.
You can add personal notes to the drugs listed, but you can’t flag them
in any way.
Even so, if you have a Palm or compatible handheld computer, you should
download this gem immediately.
You can find an Epocrates discussion forum at www.worksmartdoc.com.
For more information on how to use your Palm in a clinical setting, go
to www.pdamd.com. PDAMD.COM also has
a free online program, the PDAMD.com Document Converter, which converts
Word, Postscript, PDF, HTML and text documents for viewing on your PDA.
Other drug databases available for the Palm include:
LexiDrugs. This has 1,613 drugs and 4,626 brand names for 356
therapeutic categories.
GeriatricDrugs. This drug database was created specifically
for geriatric patients. It covers 766 drugs, including 2,425 brand names
and 320 therapeutic categories.
PediatricDrugs. This database lists 632 medications for 3,001
brands and 357 categories.
Apothecarium. This contains information on more than 6,200 drugs
and potential interactions.
You can obtain these databases (for a fee) at www.skyscape.com/-palm/home.htm.
Another medical site for Palm users: Andrew Yee’s medical eponym page
(http://andyyee.tripod.com/).
This site has 960 common and obscure medical eponyms (such as Rovsing’s
sign, Virchow’s node and Adie’s pupil) with descriptions for the Palm Pilot
in Doc and JFile Pro formats.
Palm Upgrades
Before I could use Epocrates, which requires a minimum 900K memory,
I had to increase my Palm Professional’s memory. I chose TRG’s SuperPilot
memory board. For about $150, I received 8MB of RAM and 2MB of Flash memory.
After removing the back cover, I followed the directions and popped out
the old memory board and slid in the new. If you need to upgrade your Palm’s
memory, I recommend TRG’s memory board at www.superpilot.com/.
Don’t have a Palm or Palm compatible but think you might want one? Check
out the spring issue of Handheld Computing buyers’ guide (www.hhcmag.com/),
which reviews 10 Palms and compatibles.
Just want to know more about the Palm computer system? Go to: http://edcenter.med.cornell.edu/-Courses/Palm.html.
Don’t know which Palm to buy? Look at this comparison chart: www.palm.com/products/family.html.
Dr. Maino is in private practice in Harwood Heights, Ill. (www.nw.optometry.net),
and is a professor at the Illinois College of Optometry (www.ico.edu).
His e-mail address is dmaino@eyecare.ico.edu.
top
Return to August 2000 Highlights |