An increasing number of physicians are using PDAs and smartphones in clinical care, American Medical News reports.
According to Manhattan Research, physicians are adopting mobile technology at a faster rate than the general public. In September 2008, the report by the research firm found that 54% of U.S. physicians own a PDA or smartphone. Meanwhile, Diffusion Group has predicted that 70% of physicians will own a smartphone or PDA by 2011.
Manhattan Research found that drug references are the top function accessed by physicians who use smartphones or PDAs. However, other applications, including medical calculators, decision-support tools and electronic health records, also are available.
Erika Fishman, director of research for Manhattan Research, said more than half of physicians who use a handheld device say the tools are "essential" to their professional practice.
Driving EHR Adoption
About 20% of physicians have adopted EHRs, and some say smartphones will increase EHR adoption.
C. Peter Waegemann -- CEO and president of Medical Records Institute, a health IT research and consultancy firm -- said the development of EHR technology for mobile devices will speed EHR adoption.
Fishman added, "Efficiency gained from mobile-device use can help physicians realize other technology can streamline the day as well" (Dolan, American Medical News, 1/5).