Paper
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
This presentation is part of : Chronic Care
PDA and EBP at a Community Free Clinic
Mary Alyce Curran, PhD, RN, CS, FNP1, Kent Edward Curran, MBA, DBA2, and Carolyn K. Maynard, PhD, RN, CS, FNP1. (1) College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, NC, USA, (2) Graduate School, Univesity of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
Learning Objective #1: Discuss software options for incorporating EBP guidelines into PDAs
Learning Objective #2: Evaluate methods to promote EBP/PDA usability
Objective: What has been learned in research settings is often not implemented into daily clinical practice. This lack of diffusion seems especially relevant for the multi-problem health care needs of the underserved. Systems are expected to assist with prompt and appropriate dissemination of health care information/knowledge. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) appear to be a current technology that may be able to promote the implementation and use of Evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines. Problems arise however, in determining how to best format them for use.

Design: This paper presents a pilot project exploring the use of PDA technology to enhance evidenced-based practice for an underserved population.

Population, Sample, Setting: Patients and health care providers at a rural/urban community free clinic participated in the development of PDA-delivered guidelines (diabetes and hypertension).

Methods: The project necessitated two development areas: guidelines and technology. A comprehensive literature review determined “best practices” for adults with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension. PDA software was evaluated and selected for guideline development and delivery. Building the software and user-interface followed an iterative process. Survey questionnaires and one-on-one interviews provided insight and direction.

Conclusions/Implications: PDAs seem to offer innovative approaches to EBP application to the underserved. However, limitations in information access, push/pull technology software/hardware capabilities and interface development present interesting challenges. Further research is needed to determine the best methods for implementing EBP guidelines through the use of PDAs.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004