VOL 48: JANUARY • JANVIER 2002 Canadian Family Physician • Le Médecin de famille canadien 111

Physicians are embracing the use of hand-held com-puters with notable enthusiasm. While reliable fig-ures are lacking, there are indications that these devices are being incorporated into medical practice at a faster rate than full-sized computers ever were. A recent New York Times article1 suggested that 20 % of American physicians used some type of portable computer, while another source2 said that 15 % of physicians use hand-held computers daily. While not yet as common in the pocket as stethoscopes, it is safe to say that hand-held computers are more than just a gadget-lover’s fad. There are several possible explanations for the phenomenon. Most hand-held computers are easier to use than full-sized computers, but have considerable capa