It happended to our fathers.
Centuries ago they were sent to damp dentention halls for using their red LED Tandy's on their trigonometry exam. With man and machine, back to palm, they sat and listened of their contemptuous cry.
Today, in the waff of hot, ketotic breaths, we are told to "stop playing video games, and start figuring out what to do with this diabetic patient." Fortunately, for us, the technology age has bred receptive attitudes towards the matrimony of man and machine, and a simple glance at the message pad screen assures "figuring out."
The Apple Newton Message Pad serves two workforce needs: medical reference and patient management.
Comprehensive cross-referencing and rapid internet exchange are some of the greatest advantages of electronic medical references such as the Current Clinical Strategy series and The Five Minute Consultant. However, many in medical informatics feel this "dumpware" is irresponsible and an embarassing shortcut.
Patient management software, including Pocket Doc and Virtual Intern, afford concise record-keeping. Some, though, are dissappointed and view these as monolithic data entry forms, trying to please all 26 specialties and sub-specialties.