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"Expert of the Day" using PDAs in class/clinical.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

A collaborative learning strategy entitled "Expert of the Day" using the technology of personal digital assistants (PDAs) improved students' perceptions of their ability to make decisions, increased their confidence and comfort with technology and resulted in decreased time needed by students to access data. The dream of retrieving relevant, timely information when needed at the point-of-care became a reality.

Introduction

Since personal digital assistants (PDAs) hit the general market in 1995 [1], health care professionals have become increasingly dependent on the technology to access information at the point-of-care. A handheld computer or PDA is a small pocket-sized device used for a variety of organizational tools including health care information data bases. Although physicians were among the early adopters of the use of PDAs [2], nurses are outpacing physicians in their embracing of this technology with 559,800 nurses versus 408,020 physicians using PDAs in their clinical practice in 2003. [3]

Because of the demands on nurses' time, they are becoming increasingly reliant on technology which is a recommended labor-saving strategy. [4] The present nursing shortage is expected to increase by 26% to more than half a million in the year 2010. Some of the reasons for this shortage include stresses related to increased acuity level of patients, fast-paced work environment, safety issues, long work hours and inadequate staffing. [2] In a study performed by ANA, 56% of registered nurses believed that time providing direct care had decreased in the previous two years. [5] Two of nurses' biggest dissatisfaction areas were too much paperwork and not enough time at the bedside resulting in one-third of all nurses under the age of 30 planning to leave nursing in the coming year. [6]

PDAs have been known to enhance a socially supportive environment in that they are used to interact with others including patients and health care professionals. [7] PDAs can be used by nurses as a performance support tool to increase productivity by providing immediate information at the patient's bedside. [8] In anticipation that practicing nurses will recognize the value of this technology, nursing education programs need to incorporate their use in the class room and clinical settings. Our students should be carrying their PDAs in their pockets the same as they currently hang their stethoscopes around their necks. The portability and availability 24/7 at point-of-care can help to streamline daily tasks to increase time at the bedside for delivery of care. Useful reference materials for students and practitioners can be found for all fields of nursing from pregnancy calculators to ABG evaluations to drug references. In addition, PDAs may eliminate the need for students to carry...

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