PDA usage and training: targeting curriculum for residents and faculty

Abstract

Background and objectives: Utilization of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in residency education is common, but information about their use and how residents are trained to use them is limited. Better understanding of resident and faculty PDA use and training is needed.

Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey of 598 residents and faculty from the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) Family Medicine Residency Network regarding PDA usage and training.

Results: Use of PDAs is common among residents (94%) and faculty (79%). Ninety-six percent of faculty and residents report stable or increasing frequency of use over time. The common barriers to PDA use relate to lack of time, knowledge, and formal education. Approximately half of PDA users (52%) have received some formal training; however, the majority of users report being self-taught. Faculty and residents prefer either small-group or one-on-one settings with hands-on, self-directed, interactive formats for PDA training. Large-group settings in lecture, written, or computer program formats were considered less helpful or desirable.

Conclusions: PDAs have become a commonly used clinical tool. Lack of time and adequate training present a barrier to optimal application of PDAs in family medicine residency education.