SAN MATEO, CALIF., October 09, 2004
Pediatricians Say Using PDAs Helps
Them Practice Safer Medicine
Survey Sheds Light on Eating Behaviors as Source of Childhood Obesity
Survey results released today in time for the American Academy of Pediatrics 2004 National Conference & Exhibition show significant positive impact on quality of care from use of PDAs in pediatric practice.
Seventy-five percent of survey respondents use their PDA more than six times per day, most often to access drug information (96%). Most significantly, 80% of respondents said they practice safer medicine using a PDA, while nearly two-thirds said that using their PDA had decreased the number of potential medical errors. These results are comparable to findings in previous studies among other physician PDA users, including a study conducted by Harvard Medical School.
“The survey results show that mobile access to drug and clinical references at the point-of-care is improving the quality of care for our children. It is clear that Epocrates is playing a key role in today’s pediatrics practice,” said Kirk Loevner, CEO, Epocrates.
Amid the growing concerns about childhood obesity and recognizing that pediatricians are on the front line in addressing this concern, Epocrates also asked pediatricians about causes of childhood obesity. In response:
- 97% say that fast food contributes to childhood obesity
- 61% say that fast food companies should take more responsibility for childhood obesity
- 97% say that soft drinks contribute significantly to childhood obesity
- 88% say that parents are ultimately responsible for the overeating habits of otherwise healthy children
The survey of more than 400 pediatricians who subscribe to mobile clinical reference applications from Epocrates was conducted during September 2004 and was designed to collect their thoughts on everything from how the PDA has changed their practice to childhood obesity, one of the AAP conference themes. The survey has a five percent margin of error.
In addition to researching pediatrician’s views on this subject, Epocrates launched a DocAlert messaging campaign to the nearly 130,000 pediatricians, family and nurse practitioners and medical students who subscribe to Epocrates mobile clinical references in support of the efforts of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to promote awareness about its two recently developed DVDs. The DVDs were developed with FitTV, the newest network from Discovery Networks, U.S., and are designed to teach children and their parents about smart eating and physical activity and to educate clinicians about the best ways to prevent and treat obesity in children. (For more information visit: http://www.ahrq.gov/child/.)
Through DocAlert technology, clinicians receive up to three brief and timely messages specific to pediatricians when syncing their PDA, and are able to request additional information via e-mail. This is just one of the many pediatrician-friendly features in Epocrates Essentials, including
- More than 1,200 disease and condition monographs (with direct links to drug monographs)
- Brand and generic drug monographs with pediatric dosing
- Diagnostic and drug interaction information
- An integrated weight-based dosing calculator and BMI, BEE, and Pediatric Maintenance Fluids calculators
- An infectious disease treatment guide including substantial pediatric ID content
- More than 70 tables including PALS guidelines, Apgar Score and pediatric vaccination schedules
Visit Epocrates at the AAP conference in booth #1345 to learn more.
CONTACT: Erica Sniad Morgenstern Epocrates Public Relations PHONE: (650) 227-6907 E-MAIL: pr@epocrates.com WEB: www.epocrates.com