PDA Applications

Main Menu (Application Launcher)

• Gives quick access to all applications on the computer

Categories

• Palm OS users can organize the main menu by user-defined categories
• A series of taps on the Main Menu icon will cycle the display through the list of categories

Preferences

• Allows you to access or customize features of the current application
• Preferences displayed will depend on the currently active application

Find

• Searches all files for any occurrence of a search term

Date Book/Calendar

• Important dates
• Appointments & events
• Recurring events (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly)
• Can be set to a 24-hour clock if desired
• Set an alarm to warn of upcoming events

Medical Uses

• List days on call

Address Book

• Stores names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and contact information
• Also stores your own business card for beaming to other users
• Can also be used as a basic database system (e.g. ICD9 codes)

Personal Business Card

• Designate one address record as you business card
• Beam to another handheld instead of exchanging business cards

Medical Uses

• List of local pharmacies
• List of referral physicians

To Do List

• Lists task to be done
• Prioritize tasks
• Set completion dates

Medical Uses

• Chart completions
• Referrals

Memo Pad

• Store text information
• Import from other sources

Medical Uses

• Take notes in meetings and conferences
• Summaries of clinical practice guidelines
• Notes about new admissions when on call

Note Pad

• Available in Palm 0S 4.0 or higher
• Draw pictures or write in your own handwriting

Medical Uses

• Draw diagrams for patient education or teaching
• Make quick notes without typing

Calculator

• The basic calculator is of limited medical use
• Medical calculator software is available

Medical Uses

• Calculate pediatric drug dosages
• Several specific medical calculators are available

Data Entry

• Enter letters, numbers and punctuation by drawing on a special screen
• Easy to learn for most users

Virtual Keyboard

• On-screen typewriter-style keyboard (qwerty layout)
• Tap on keyboard to enter letters
• Numbers and International symbols are also available

Fitaly Virtual Keyboard
An alternative keyboard layout; Claimed to be faster to use than the standard "qwerty" or "typewriter" layout

Synchronization

• Synchronize information with your desktop or laptop
• Back up your files regularly to avoid loss of valuable information

Infrared Communication

• Exchange data with other PDAs

Electronic Business Card

• Most common use of beaming
• Transfer contact information with other computers
• Creates a new entry in recipient's address book
• Palm OS: just hold down the "Address Book" button for two seconds

Medical Uses

• Exchanges memo files
• Notes about in-patients when on hospital call

Security

• It is possible to password protect either the entire PDA or just selected files 
• This is important if you are storing patient information on the device

E-mail

• Download e-mail to the handheld
• Allows you to read it at a later time
• May be of limited benefit

Medical Uses

• Read and compose e-mail off-line
• May be of more use if you travel a lot

Word Processing

• Import and export word processor documents (usually Microsoft Word)
• More functions than the basic Memo software
• "Documents To Go" is bundled with many Palm OS models

Medical Uses
Same as for Memo Pad

Spreadsheets

• Store calculated formulae – similar to Microsoft Excel
• Suggested: Quick Sheet
  

Medical Uses

• Frequently used calculations
• Financial information