The future is bright for the Palm platform - despite strong competition from other formats ...

It's already possible to access the Internet and email on a Palm organiser using either a connectable modem or without any cables using a mobile phone with infra-red capabilities (eg. Ericsson I888, Motorola L7089, Nokia 8110).  For hospital use a better option would be a device with wireless capabilities linked up to an integrated hospital computer system.  A personal organiser is always likely to be too small to allow mass data entry and so will be of limited use in storing patient notes (even if voice entered data becomes a reality).  However, for handling investigations and prescriptions there is great potential.

The technology already exists for a system like this ...  A junior doctor comes into work and picks up their personal organiser which has been re-charging and synchronising data overnight.  This includes summary details and results for all patients under that doctor's care.  Using a series of well-constructed drop-down menus investigations can be ordered and latest results obtained via the wireless connection.  Similarly, prescription information can be viewed, altered, checked for accuracy & interactions and used to generate out-patient orders.  Just imagine the time this would save in comparison to now !

Furthermore such a personal organiser could have an integrated "bleep" with text messaging, appropriate hospital events could be added to the diary application (with alarms), there could be an updateable hospital telephone & address book incorporated and also an appropriate reference handbook for the junior doctor in question (eg. Physik's Lists).

All this could happen tomorrow ... if the necessary resources were available ... so I won't be holding my breath !
 
 

 
 

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