The Handheld Computer for Surgeons Helper or Handicap

The demand for documentation is increasing. Modern information technology led to pocket size computers. Our aim was to develop an affordable system to improve documentation quality. Personal digital assistants with dictation function were tested and compared to digital dictation devices. Dictation was easier to learn with digital dictation devices than with PDAs. There were no significant compatibility problems with the hospital network. The use of PDAs may be a further step towards real time and complete documentation. In our setting the PDA showed little advantages for improvement of documentation and was less favoured by users.