Survey results show significant positive impact on quality of care from use of PDAs in pediatric practice

Oct 7 2004

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 handheld 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 handheld 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.