European Journal of Anaesthesiology

Table of Contents - 2000 - Volume 17, Issue 02  


Original Article
(RD) Surgery

Electronic data collection by trainee anaesthetists using palm top computers

E. J. Hammond a1p1 and B. P. Sweeney a2c1
a1 Department of Anaesthesia, Poole Hospital, Poole, UK
a2 Department of Anaesthesia, Poole and Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Poole, UK

Article author query
hammond ej   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
sweeney bp   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

The Royal College of Anaesthetist requires that trainees wishing to specialise in Anaesthesia register with the College and keep a logbook documenting their experience and training in clinical anaesthesia. There are a number of advantages if such logbooks are kept in an electronic format. For the first time in the United Kingdom, we have evaluated the usefulness in a district general hospital of introducing a computerized system of record keeping based on a portable palm top computer. This has enabled the careful analysis of the individual work load of each trainee in the department by means of a specific program designed to generate a comprehensive report after the information from each individual has been downloaded on to a standard desk top computer. We have found a number of interesting and unexpected results and have highlighted ways in which the system may be improved.

(Published Online August 16 2006)
(Accepted September 1999)


Key Words: anaesthesia; medical education; medical informatics.

Correspondence:
c1 Correspondence: B. Sweeney.
p1 Present address: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington Street, Perth, Australia WA 6000.