Third Year Medical Student PDA Requirement

updated 1/8/2009
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are useful tools in a variety of clinical settings. As an extension of your desktop or laptop computer, they provide quick access to reference materials and medical applications. All third year medical students are required to own PDAs. For more resources see our Mobile Medicine site .

PDAs were made a requirement several years ago to make them eligible to be included in financial aid packages. We found that over 90% of all third year students were buying them on their own before the requirement.  By making them required, up to $250 toward the purchase of a PDA may be covered by financial aid.  

If you will be purchasing a new PDA we recommend the following models:

Standard

  • Model: Apple iPod Touch 8 GB
  • Operating System: 2.1 or later
  • Approximate cost: $230

SmartPhone 

  • Model: Apple iPhone 3G 8 GB
  • Operating System: 2.1 or later
  • Approximate cost: $200 plus monthly calling plan fees

The Major Differences:

The iPod Touch and iPhone use the same operating system and can run the same software. Both have WiFi built in, and have identical iPod capabilities for playing music, videos and podcasts. The iPhone is also a cell phone, currently only available for the AT&T network. It also includes a camera, microphone and speakers which are not included in the iPod Touch. The iPhone allows you to check mail and surf the web over a cell phone connection, as well as a WiFi connection. Both models work equally well for medical applications.

Should I get the models with more memory?

Both iPod Touch and iPhone models are available with more than 8 GB of memory. The standard 8 GB models are fine for running medical applications. The only reason to consider the higher capacity models is if you want to store large amounts of music or video on your device.

Where to Buy:

iPod Touches are available at all Apple retail locations, including Cavalier Computers, Walmart and Best Buy. iPhones are available only through AT&T retail locations, Walmart, Best Buy and Apple's online store. 

How much are iPhone calling plans?

Please see AT&T's current iPhone plan information.

Desktop/Laptop Connectivity

A personal computer with Internet access is required to install PDA software and perform regular updates. See the Apple and Palm sites for minimum operating system requirements.

Can I use a Palm T|X or Palm OS Smartphone?

While our recommendation is the iPod Touch or iPhone because of their ease of use, stability and security, you may use a Palm T|X, Palm OS Centro or Treo 755p smartphones. All the major medical software packages are available for the Palm OS. You may also be able to purchase a used Palm device from upperclassmen. We recommend the purchase of a 1 GB external memory card with any Palm device.

The Palm T|X is a WiFi enabled PDA with email and web browser. The Palm Centro and Treo 755p smartphones use a cell phone connection for Internet access, and they too have email and web browser software. Palm OS smartphones do not have WiFi. All three run all the common medical software applications. The Palm smartphones are available through Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and Alltel. The Centro is also available unlocked from Palm.com.

A new Palm T|X is $299, plus a memory card, and you can find them used from other students. An unlocked Palm Centro is $299, and it can be discounted to about $70 when signing up for a calling plan.  The Palm Treo 755p lists at $579, but can be found discounted with a new calling plan to around $200.

How about Windows Mobile devices?

While the Windows Mobile platform now has more medical software titles available than in the past, the number of applications for this platform still lags behind the Palm OS, and the functionality lags behind the iPod Touch/iPhone. We do not recommend the purchase of Windows Mobile devices for medical students. If you have a Windows Mobile device, staff members may not be able to assist you in installing or troubleshooting applications.

How about Blackberrys?

While Blackberrys are good phones, the medical software available for this platform lags behind the iPod Touch/iPhone and Palm OS. We do not recommend Blackberrys at this time, and no support is offered by the school of medicine or ITC.

Mobile Medicine Portal & Available Software 

Students most frequently use PDAs for quick access to reference materials and medical calculators. We have developed a portal specifically for use by PDAs, Mobile Medicine, to give quick access to resources, software and instructions on how to set up your device. Bookmark it in your PDA's web browser.

Links to downloads for other recommended PDA software packages can be found at the Health Sciences Library's PDA Resource page .

Walk-in Clinic for PDA Assistance

Having trouble getting your PDA to "talk" to your home computer so you can install the required software?  Bring your laptop, PDA, and cables to get advice and assistance from our PDA support team.  Or, call us from home at 924-9962 to get your home computer and your PDA back on speaking terms! 

Date: Week of April 27, 2009 in the HSL Carter Classroom.

Have questions about your current PDA and the requirement?  Contact John Jackson at jjackson@virginia.edu or 924-1528 or come to one of the walk-in sessions listed above.