I have a TRGPro, a Palm III-like device. It uses the Palm operating system and so will run any software designed for the Palm family. The advantage of the TRGPro is that it has a compact flash card slot. The compact flash format provides modems, memory storage and other devices in about the size of a large postage stamp. With the TRGPro, I can back up my handheld data to the flash card in a few seconds. The Palm devices were originally designed to supplement a personal computer; it really didn't make sense to have one unless you also had a PC. However, with the considerable storage capacity of the compact flash cards and the ability to back up the handheld's data, I don't connect it to my PC nearly as much as before.
   The TRGPro costs $475, from Handheld Interfaces in Toronto. They provide excellent service, usually with next day delivery. A 32 MB compact flash card cost about $120 more. This may seem pretty steep, but a few years ago my laptop died and now I don't miss it. I also have a GoType keyboard into which I can plug the TRG (or any Palm clone). Terrific for serious typing at home or on the road. My little gadget now has 40 MB of storage, a modem and a keyboard when needed.

Apart from the standard phone numbers and daily scheduler, here's what I do with my TRGPro.

Clinical notes 

Using the installed notepad I keep notes on problems that I don't see every day but will see often enough that I want tips, diagnostic approaches and immediate therapy close at hand. I have a couple of hundred such notes. Most are notes that I've accumulated on my PC over the years and have transferred to the handheld. But more recently, I've been entering them the other way around - first into the handheld (at rounds, for example) then copied to the PC for extra security.

Calculations 

I use a programmable calculator called Syncalc which allows me to create "shortcuts", little programs that perform more complex calculations. These shortcuts can be shared among Syncalc users by "beaming" them through the infrared ports. I have a set of critical appraisal shortcuts that I downloaded from a web site called Palm Pilot Tools for Evidence-based Medicine. As I'm reading a study, I can quickly calculate risk ratios, number needed to treat, positive and negative predictive values, and post-test likelihoods. I also created a set of shortcuts for drug infusions. Want a dopamine drip at 5 ug /Kg /min in a 60 Kg patient, with the drip to run at 10 ml / hour? Give me 10 seconds. Finally, because I do a lot of respiratory care, I have a set of ventilation shortcuts like "ventilation index", a-A ratio, the alveolar gas equation etc. Great for Unit II and clerkship. 
   Recently I've been experimenting with Mathpad, an equation solver that allows me to all of the above. The programming is easier and I quite like it.

Databases 

I use a $20 shareware program called HanDBase. At the moment I use it for the Canadian immunization guidelines, effects of altitude on gas expansion and oxygen requirement (for neonatal air transport) and local laboratory reference values and a time-tracking tool. Also, because Canadian specialists must now track their continuing education hours for maintenance of our speciality certification, I have a database for recording any educational activity I attend, reading or courses.

Drug database
I'm using ePocrates, a database of basic information and dosing of about 1500 drugs. It allows you to enter your own note so I've been able to use it for the esoteric dosing in neonates. It's free and highly recommended.

E-mail 

I have a program called MultiMail and a clip-on modem for my TRGPro which allows me to do e-mail when I'm travelling. Works well and it's simple to use. Not cheap however; the modem is about $150 and MultiMail costs about $50.00. If you already have a small modem, you can get a $29 special cable to connect it to your Palm. Also, some of the e-mail software is cheaper than MultiMail. 

Reading web pages 

A lot of information is now being created and distributed in HTML format (web pages). Using a free or very inexpensive program like iSilo, I can download a single page or whole website (like the Unit 1 web site) to my TRGPro. It's a great way to distribute reference information. For example, you can download the LearnLink instructions (see under McMaster Resources) to your handheld for quick reference. As the information changes, it's easy to update. Currently, I have the Unit 1 web page and a Users' Guide to the Clinical Literature that I downloaded from Palm Pilot Tools for EBM 

Resource collection

 

I keep a list of my most useful web sites in the address book. This way I can search for information whereever I am.