Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

I'm a medical student just jumping into the PDA world with a Visor on order. I wonder if some of the medical residents out there would comment on how they carry their Visors?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 20

I carry mine with the plastic screen cover that shipped with it in my pocket. If I'm wearing my white coat it lives there, if not my front pants pocket. Occasionally I'll put it in my shirt pocket but beware, if you lean forward quickly or down to pick something up it may fly out. I've been considering buying the belt clip case for it and would love to hear any feedback about it.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 38

Not a medical resident but work in healthcare (pharmacist) anyway...

I keep mine on my belt- it's always at the ready. I just used the slipcase that came with the Visor and cut two slits in the back wide enough for my belt to slip through. Then using delicate surgical stiching technique I sewed up the cut edges. It doesn't look the greatest, but no one sees it since its next to your body. I am planning on having a leathersmith put together one for me just like it but with a small pocket on the side to slip in an extra stylus.

I used to have a belt clip model- there were a couple of times where the case popped off my belt when I was sitting down and it got caught on the arm of the chair-just about lost it.

Charles

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 14

I'm a resident, but I can't speak from experience, I just got my visor yesterday, finally I have seen some other folks carring around their palms with belt clips or tucked into their white coats. As for me, all my pockets are stuffed with things already. I'm planning on going the belt route. Probably an EBslipper from the reviews I've been reading.
Since we are on the topic of medicine. Anyone have some good patient tracking software, they'd recommend?
Thanks!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 29

I've heard good things about the Rhodian case, which can be ordered with a swivel belt clip. I've got one on order, and plan on carrying it on my belt when I don't have enough pocket space. Check out the Rhodian discussions in this forum to get an impression.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 29

In regards to Slaine's question about patient tracking software - the one to beat is patient keeper. It seems like this is the one that gets all the rave reviews. Its primarily designed for the inpatient setting. I've tried it, but as a med student don't keep track of enough patients to justify using it. It's most helpful if you have access to an IR ready printer so you can print out soap notes and the like, which I unfortunately didn't have either. Its designed to also take H&P's but I can't see how this part would be effective until a faster text entry method is designed (like getting a keyboard), but its great for keeping track of vitals, labs, etc.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 24

Hi,

I am a pharmacist also, and I use the Rhinoskin shocksuit. I used to work in a very busy pharmacy, we fill in excess of 450 Rx's a day. In the usual madness of the day I often bump into countertops and shelves, protection is my major concern. The Shocksuit has not failed me yet. In fact I slammed so hard into a countertop that I actully snapped my Pilot casiopia stylis. My visor was not even scratched.

Be careful with beltclips cases,they must offer good protection. It is very easy to smash a belt clip case just squeezing through a crowded doorway.

The shocksuit is not the most compact or even the most attractive case, but under my white jacket it does not matter. Just my 2 cents.


------------------
Would you like to be in control of your time, finances and life? Then check out http://www.rexall.com/LVasile
Lenny Vasile
Email [email protected]

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1

I use the Rhodiana case with belt clip. Good protection for the Visor, but not too bulky. I also like the elastic straps on the back of the case, which help me hold onto it better.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 20

Rhinoskin 1100. I carry it in my front pants pocket. On rounds it is in my white coat pocket for easy retrieval. Patientkeeper for inpatients is the way to go. I use Raphael along with PK for outpatients.
Jon

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Gainesville, FL USA
Posts: 112

Another Pharmacist (from a medium-sized teaching hospital) replies....

I keep mine in the breast pocket of my lab coat, without the plastic cover or slip cover. I'm careful to make sure that the screen goes against my chest, with nothing between the screen and the inside of the pocket. I've seen some of our housestaff carrying their Palm machines (including one resident with a Visor) in the lower labcoat pockets, but I worry that in moving about that the coat (and Visor) would swing around and hit something. I'd rather keep it higher where it's more protected. Plus, those larger lower pockets tend to get filled up with copies of the Sanford guide (a "doc" version would be nice!), etc, etc.

If I'm not wearing the labcoat, it goes in my shirt pocket. On those rare polo shirt days, it goes in my left front pants pocket, with the pastic cover.

Also: for all you med students and residents, get a copy of ePocrates. Your pharmacists will be glad that you did.