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To PDA or not to PDA?

When I was a medical student, I got a Palm and carried it around everywhere, and continued to use it as a resident. PDAs have the advantage of keeping patient information close to hand, particularly patients who are readmitted. As a registrar, I felt these things became less important, as I had a resident to chase resutls for me. Battery life becomes an issue unless you are committed to charging it every night, and I got simply tired of lugging too much stuff around. Then there are the real problem of how do you keep it safe. Finally, I found that a lot of the problems and issues I was trying to track were resolved by the end of the day, so scribbling notes down on paper seems more efficient.

So how do I organise myself without the ubiquitous medical PDA?

I use my macbook as my main tracking/scheduling hub, and update it each day with any information “left over” after the end of a shift (or any information that pops up when I am not with my computer). Here is how is works: I use iCal to run my calendar, which is a really nice way to separate out my calendar lists and see what is specific to what group (currently I have work, home, kids, surgical training calendars for myself). iCal doesn’t always get great reviews, but it integrates well with lots of other programs, including iSync. I can also include my husband’s calendars and publish mine for him, which reduces the impact of forgetfulness.

I reckon iCal does to-dos really poorly, so I organise my personal and work to-dos through a different system, which syncs with iCal. Finally, I sync my iCal calendar with my mobile phone through iSync (Using Nova Media iSync phone plugins, as my Sony-Ericsson is not supported my apple). I know this is like a poor man’s PDA, but I have given in to keeping my personal mobile with me nowadays, where I once would have relied on a hospital pager. SMS with consultants is a great tool, and avoids the hospital switchboard. So I have all my calendars with me, and even my to-do list.

When I am away from my computer, including at the hospital, I use my phone to track my calendar, and a A5 folder. I can stick my ward list in it in the morning, and tuck my logbook/billing stickers and information in it for processing later. I make sure it is full of loose-leaf paper, and I write any notes on that. Each evening I take any notes out of my folder and transfer anything outstanding to my to-do list and my calendar, as appropriate. I find it really important to make sure my day-folder doesn’t become stagnant. All those curly, side of page notes get kept “in case they have something important in them” and you end up with a subliminal sense of panic. Starting each day with a clean patient list and an empty notepad is an important stress management tool for me.

At the moment, this works very easily as I am working on my PhD, so the longest I am away from my computer is a theatre list, and I have a bit more leisure to make sure everything is synced up properly. Generally, I feel a lot more comfortable since implementing this paper/macbook combination system. As I have confidence that nothing gets missed, it helps me cope with the times where the job takes over.

What do you think? To PDA or not to PDA? What works for you?

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