MLA News Selected Articles

May 1999

Finding Evidence-Based Medicine Literature

Edited by Melissa L. Just

Submitted by Candice Benjes, Norris Medical Library, the University of Southern California, Los Angeles

The best known way to retrieve articles for evidence-based medicine (EBM) is through a specialized database like the Cochrane Library or Best Evidence. However, finding EBM literature in databases like MEDLINE and CINAHL is possible if you know a few tricks. The sites listed here discuss ways to use hedges or filters (pre-saved search steps) and to evaluate retrieved articles for EBM.

Peripheral Brains are in the Lab Coat Pocket

Edited by Melissa L. Just

Submitted by Mari Stoddard, Educational Services, Arizona Health Sciences Library, University of Arizona–Tucson

Many health care providers use pocket computers. Most of these professionals use their pocket computers for reminders: appointments, addresses, and to-do lists. However, medical information is also available via pocket computers. Content ranges from articles on rattlesnake bites (www.palmlife.com/medfiles/rsnakebite.zip) to books such as The Five Minute Clinical Consult.

Pocket computers range in size from the credit card sized REXX to hand-held personal computers that can, with a push, fit in a very large pocket. The two major kinds of pocket computers are palm-sized personal computers (PPCs) and 3Com Palms. PPCs run Microsoft WinCE and have small keyboards (cost $300–$800). 3Com Palms are the most popular pocket computers (cost $150–$450). Commonly referred to as organizers or personal digital assistants (PDAs), they have pen-input or screen-based keyboards or they accept data from desktop computers. According to Infoworld [1], 3Com Palms have more than 40% of the market share for devices such as PDAs, handheld personal computers (HPC), smart phones, pen tablets, and pen notebooks.

Files for pocket computers come in various formats. Each format requires a type of application to open it. A Website maintained by Jim Thompson, M.D., (www.jimthompson.net/pilot) provides an excellent overview of these applications, as well as extensive reviews of medical resources. At this time, most of the information is available for the Palm platform only. See educ.ahsl.arizona.edu/handouts/db/pda-ebm.htm for links in this review.

Reference

1. Reed, S. IT executives are missing the boat when it comes to handheld computing. Infoworld Feb 8, 1999. Available on the Internet: www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayNew.pl?/reed/990208sr.htm.