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This study was undertaken to determine the PDA functionalities for a problem-based learning (PBL) medical curriculum at the Graduate School of Medicine (GSM), the University of Wollongong (UOW). The study determines the factors/aspects of incorporating PDAs, and the attitudes of stakeholders regarding the use of PDAs in such a PBL-based medical curriculum. In-depth interviews were designed and conducted with medical faculty, the medical education technology team and honorary medical academics. Four major PDA functionalities were identified, these being: clinical-log, reference, communication, and general functions. Two major aspects for the incorporation of PDAs into the PBL-medical curriculum at the UOW were determined from the interviews, these being technical and practical aspects. There is a potential for PDAs to be incorporated into the PBL-medical curricula at the UOW. However, a clear strategy needs to be defined as to how best to incorporate PDAs into PBL-medical curricula with minimal impact on students, as well as financial and resource implications for the GSM.

Electronic health record (EHR) systems are now in widespread use in healthcare institutions worldwide. EHRs include sensitive health information and if they are integrated among healthcare providers, data can be accessible from many different sources. This leads to increased concern regarding invasion of privacy and confidentiality. Incorporating consent mechanisms into EHRs has the potential to enhance confidentiality. However there are both positive and negative effects from employing such mechanisms--they need to balance privacy, safety, consumer and public interest.

A systematic review of how the personal digital assistants (PDAs) have been used in healthcare professions and medical education has been conducted in order to identify current usage of PDAs in both areas. The major aim of this research is to study the feasibility of incorporating PDAs into problem-based learning (PBL) medical education. A systematic review was conducted by exploring various databases on the use of PDAs in two major areas: the healthcare professions and medical education during the period [2000][2001][2002][2003][2004][2005][2006]. Results: The needs, patterns and functionalities of using PDAs in the medical profession have been identified and categorized into different areas. What remains is to how to best incorporate PDAs into a PBL approach to medical education at the University of Wollongong. Disciplines Physical Sciences and Mathematics Publication DetailsThis conference paper was originally published as Luanrattana, R, Win, KT, Fulcher, J